Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Genesis » Chapter 18 » Verse 26-32

Genesis 18:26-32 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

26 And the LORD H3068 said, H559 If I find H4672 in Sodom H5467 fifty H2572 righteous H6662 within H8432 the city, H5892 then I will spare H5375 all the place H4725 for their sakes.

27 And Abraham H85 answered H6030 and said, H559 Behold now, I have taken upon me H2974 to speak H1696 unto the Lord, H136 which H595 am but dust H6083 and ashes: H665

28 Peradventure there shall lack H2637 five H2568 of the fifty H2572 righteous: H6662 wilt thou destroy H7843 all the city H5892 for lack of five? H2568 And he said, H559 If I find H4672 there forty H705 and five, H2568 I will not destroy H7843 it.

29 And he spake H1696 unto him yet again, H3254 and said, H559 Peradventure there shall be forty H705 found H4672 there. And he said, H559 I will not do H6213 it for forty's H705 sake.

30 And he said H559 unto him, Oh H4994 let not the Lord H136 be angry, H2734 and I will speak: H1696 Peradventure there shall thirty H7970 be found H4672 there. And he said, H559 I will not do H6213 it, if I find H4672 thirty H7970 there.

31 And he said, H559 Behold now, I have taken upon me H2974 to speak H1696 unto the Lord: H136 Peradventure there shall be twenty H6242 found H4672 there. And he said, H559 I will not destroy H7843 it for twenty's H6242 sake.

32 And he said, H559 Oh let not the Lord H136 be angry, H2734 and I will speak H1696 yet H389 but this once: H6471 Peradventure ten H6235 shall be found H4672 there. And he said, H559 I will not destroy H7843 it for ten's H6235 sake.

Commentary on Genesis 18 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 18

Ge 18:1-8. Entertainment of Angels.

1. the Lord appeared—another manifestation of the divine presence, more familiar than any yet narrated; and more like that in the fulness of time, when the Word was made flesh.

plains of Mamre—rather, terebinth or oak of Mamre; a tall-spreading tree or grove of trees.

sat in the tent door—The tent itself being too close and sultry at noon, the shaded open front is usually resorted to for the air that may be stirring.

2. lift up his eyes … and, lo, three men—Travellers in that quarter start at sunrise and continue till midday when they look out for some resting-place.

he ran to meet them—When the visitor is an ordinary person, the host merely rises; but if of superior rank, the custom is to advance a little towards the stranger, and after a very low bow, turn and lead him to the tent, putting an arm round his waist, or tapping him on the shoulder as they go, to assure him of welcome.

3. My Lord, if now I have found favor—The hospitalities offered are just of the kind that are necessary and most grateful, the refreshment of water, for feet exposed to dust and heat by the sandals, being still the first observed among the pastoral people of Hebron.

5. for therefore are ye come—No questions were asked. But Abraham knew their object by the course they took—approaching directly in front of the chief sheik's tent, which is always distinguishable from the rest and thus showing their wish to be his guests.

6. Abraham hastened … unto Sarah … make cakes upon the hearth—Bread is baked daily, no more than is required for family use, and always by the women, commonly the wife. It is a short process. Flour mixed with water is made into dough, and being rolled out into cakes, it is placed on the earthen floor, previously heated by a fire. The fire being removed, the cakes are laid on the ground, and being covered over with hot embers, are soon baked, and eaten the moment they are taken off.

7. Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf—Animal food is never provided, except for visitors of a superior rank when a kid or lamb is killed. A calf is still a higher stretch of hospitality, and it would probably be cooked as is usually done when haste is required—either by roasting it whole or by cutting it up into small pieces and broiling them on skewers over the fire. It is always eaten along with boiled corn swimming in butter or melted fat, into which every morsel of meat, laid upon a piece of bread, is dipped, before being conveyed by the fingers to the mouth.

8. milk—A bowl of camel's milk ends the repast.

he stood by them under the tree—The host himself, even though he has a number of servants, deems it a necessary act of politeness to stand while his guests are at their food, and Abraham evidently did this before he was aware of the real character of his visitors.

Ge 18:9-15. Reproof of Sarah. An inquiry about his wife, so surprising in strangers, the subject of conversation, and the fulfilment of the fondly cherished promise within a specified time, showed Abraham that he had been entertaining more than ordinary travellers (Heb 13:2).

10. Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him—The women's apartment is in the back of the tent, divided by a thin partition from the men's.

12. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself—Long delay seems to have weakened faith. Sarah treated the announcement as incredible, and when taxed with the silent sneer, she added falsehood to distrust. It was an aggravated offense (Ac 5:4), and nothing but grace saved her (Ro 9:18).

Ge 18:16-22. Disclosure of Sodom's Doom.

16. the men rose … Abraham went with them—It is customary for a host to escort his guests a little way.

17. the Lord said, Shall I hide—The chief stranger, no other than the Lord, disclosed to Abraham the awful doom about to be inflicted on Sodom and the cities of the plain for their enormous wickedness.

21. I will go down … and see—language used after the manner of men. These cities were to be made examples to all future ages of God's severity; and therefore ample proof given that the judgment was neither rash nor excessive (Eze 18:23; Jer 18:7).

Ge 18:23-33. Abraham's Intercession.

23. Abraham drew near, and said, &c.—The scene described is full of interest and instruction—showing in an unmistakable manner the efficacy of prayer and intercession. (See also Pr 15:8; Jas 5:16). Abraham reasoned justly as to the rectitude of the divine procedure (Ro 3:5, 6), and many guilty cities and nations have been spared on account of God's people (Mt 5:13; 24:22).

33. the Lord … left communing … and Abraham returned unto his place—Why did Abraham cease to carry his intercessions farther? Either because he fondly thought that he was now sure of the cities being preserved (Lu 13:9), or because the Lord restrained his mind from further intercession (Jer 7:16; 11:14). But there were not ten "righteous persons." There was only one, and he might without injustice have perished in the general overthrow (Ec 9:2). But a difference is sometimes made, and on this occasion the grace of God was manifested in a signal manner for the sake of Abraham. What a blessing to be connected with a saint of God!