Genesis18
New Living Translation
1The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day.
2He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.
3“My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while.
4Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet.
5And since you’ve honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you before you continue on your journey.” “All right,” they said. “Do as you have said.”
6So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get three large measures of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some bread.”
7Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his servant, who quickly prepared it.
8When the food was ready, Abraham took some yogurt and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them in the shade of the trees.
9“Where is Sarah, your wife?” the visitors asked. “She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied.
10Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent.
11Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children.
12So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”
13Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’
14Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
15Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh.” But the Lord said, “No, you did laugh.”
16Then the men got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As they left, Abraham went with them to send them on their way.
17“Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked.
18“For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him.
19I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
20So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant.
21I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”
22The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham.
23Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?
24Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes?
25Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
26And the Lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”
27Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes.
28Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.”
29Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?” And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.”
30“Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?” And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.”
31Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?” And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
32Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?” And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
33When the Lord had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Genesis 18.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The Lord appears to Abraham. (1–8). Sarah's unbelief reproved. (9–15). God reveals to Abraham the destruction of Sodom. (16–22). Abraham's intercession for Sodom. (23–33).
vv1-8
Abraham was waiting to entertain any weary traveller, for inns were not to be met with as among us. While Abraham was thus sitting, he saw three men coming. These were three heavenly beings in human bodies. Some think they were all created angels; others, that one of them was the Son of God, the Angel of the covenant. Washing the feet is customary in those hot climates, where only sandals are worn. We should not be forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares, Heb 13:2; nay, the Lord of angels himself; as we always do, when for his sake we entertain the least of his brethren. Cheerful and obliging manners in showing kindness, are great ornaments to piety. Though our condescending Lord vouchsafes not personal visits to us, yet still by his Spirit he stands at the door and knocks; when we are inclined to open, he deigns to enter; and by his gracious consolations he provides a rich feast, of which we partake with him, Re 3:20.
vv9-15
Where is Sarah thy wife? was asked. Note the answer, In the tent. Just at hand, in her proper place, occupied in her household concerns. There is nothing got by gadding. Those are most likely to receive comfort from God and his promises, who are in their proper place, and in the way of their duty, Lu 2:8. We are slow of heart to believe, and need line upon line to the same purport. The blessings others have from common providence, believers have from the Divine promise, which makes them very sweet, and very sure. The spiritual seed of Abraham owe their life, and joy, and hope, and all, to the promise. Sarah thinks this too good news to be true; she laughed, and therefore cannot as yet find in her heart to believe it. Sarah laughed. We might not have thought there was a difference between Sarah's laughter and Abraham's, ch. 17:17; but He who searches the heart, saw that the one sprung from unbelief, and the other from faith. She denied that she had laughed. One sin commonly brings in another, and it is not likely we shall strictly keep to truth, when we question the Divine truth. But whom the Lord loves he will rebuke, convict, silence, and bring to repentance, and if they sin before him.
vv16-22
The two who are supposed to have been created angels went toward Sodom. The one who is called Jehovah throughout the chapter, continued with Abraham, and would not hide from him the thing he intended to do. Though God long forbears with sinners, from which they fancy that the Lord does not see, and does not regard; yet when the day of his wrath comes, he will look toward them. The Lord will give Abraham an opportunity to intercede with him, and shows him the reason of his conduct. Consider, as a very bright part of Abraham's character and example, that he not only prayed with his family, but he was very careful to teach and rule them well. Those who expect family blessings must make conscience of family duty. Abraham did not fill their heads with matters of doubtful dispute; but he taught them to be serious and devout in the worship of God, and to be honest in their dealings with all men. Of how few may such a character be given in our days! How little care is taken by masters of families to ground those under them in the principles of religion! Do we watch from sabbath to sabbath whether they go forward or backward?
Key Words
רָאָה: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֵלוֹן: an oak or other strong tree
מַמְרֵא: Mamre, an Amorite
יָשַׁב: properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
פֶּתַח: an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way
אֹהֶל: a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
חֹם: heat
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
נָשָׂא: to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עַיִן: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Cross References
Genesis 18Explicit NT commentary on Abraham entertaining angels unawares in this scene.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul quotes the promise 'at this time I will return' to establish sovereign election.
NT analysis of Abraham and Sarah's physical deadness, overcoming through faith.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Gabriel echoes the rhetorical question 'is anything too hard for the Lord' to Mary.
Directly echoes Abraham's appeal to the justice of God as the Judge of all the earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Peter praises Sarah calling her husband 'lord' as an example of godly subjection.
Parallels the assertion that 'there is nothing too hard' for God's omnipotent power.
Jesus references sharing secrets with friends, echoing God's decision not to hide things from Abraham.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies the destination of the two men/angels who left Abraham's presence for Sodom.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Illustrates the power and efficacy of the prayer and intercession of a righteous person.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Supports Abraham's confession of being 'dust and ashes', reflecting Adam's original sentence.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Elisha uses identical phrasing ('according to the time of life') to promise a son.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts Abraham's laughing of faith with Sarah's internal laugh of disbelief.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms the principle that God does nothing without revealing secrets to His servants.
Highlights Abraham's unique status as the 'Friend of God' who receives divine counsel.
Parallel anthropomorphic expression where God 'goes down' to investigate human wickedness before judging.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels God's willingness to spare a city if even one righteous person is found.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Gideon uses the identical humble plea, 'let not the Lord be angry,' in his intercession.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Repeats the foundational Abrahamic covenant promise of universal blessing.
NT confirmation that the gospel was preached to Abraham in this covenant promise.
Parallels Abraham's commitment to rule his household well with Joshua's family pledge.
Parallels how God spares or shortens judgments on places for the sake of the elect.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Abraham's self-abasement with Job's repentance in dust and ashes before God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates persistence in prayer and intercession, mirroring Abraham's progressive bargaining.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Direct connection to the execution of the judgment announced here against Sodom.
Grounds the truth that God does not need to 'go down' to know, as all is open to Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Thematic contrast where God looks for someone to stand in the gap, as Abraham did.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Shows Abraham returning to the exact place where he stood interceding before the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The origin of man from the dust, grounding Abraham's 'dust and ashes' expression.
Supported by Matthew Poole