Genesis 18:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which [am but] dust and ashes:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Avraham answered, "Here now, I, who am but dust and ashes, have taken it upon myself to speak to Adonai.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes—

American Standard Version:

And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 18:27

1. **Themes:**
- **Humanity before God:** Abraham's recognition of his lowly status as "dust and ashes" before the Almighty reflects the theme of human humility and finiteness in the presence of the divine.
- **Righteous Intercession:** Abraham's boldness in speaking to God on behalf of others showcases the theme of intercessory prayer and the role of the righteous in advocating for mercy and justice.
- **Divine-Human Relationship:** The verse underscores the unique relationship between God and Abraham, characterized by both reverence and an open channel of dialogue.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Era:** Genesis 18 is set in the period of the patriarchs, where Abraham is depicted as the father of the Hebrew people. This era is marked by nomadic lifestyles and the establishment of covenantal relationships between God and key figures like Abraham.
- **Negotiation for Sodom:** The context of this verse is Abraham's negotiation with God to spare the city of Sodom if a certain number of righteous people could be found within it. This event occurs before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, which is a pivotal moment in the narrative of sin and judgment in the Bible.
- **Covenant and Promises:** Abraham's interaction with God in this chapter is part of a larger narrative where God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars, despite his advanced age and his wife Sarah's barrenness.

In summary, Genesis 18:27 captures the essence of Abraham's humble yet courageous approach to God, highlighting themes of human humility, intercession, and the evolving relationship between God and His people during the patriarchal age.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H85
   There are 1159 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַבְרָהָם
   Transliteration: ʼAbrâhâm
   Pronunciation: ab-raw-hawm'
   Description: contracted from אָב and an unused root (probably meaning to be populous); father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram; Abraham.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6030
   There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָנָה
   Transliteration: ʻânâh
   Pronunciation: aw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2974
   There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָאַל
   Transliteration: yâʼal
   Pronunciation: yaw-al'
   Description: a primitive root (probably rather the same as יָאַל through the idea of mental weakness); properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition; assay, begin, be content, please, take upon, [idiom] willingly, would.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
6. Strong's Number: H136
   There are 910 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲדֹנָי
   Transliteration: ʼĂdônây
   Pronunciation: ad-o-noy'
   Description: an emphatic form of אָדוֹן; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only); (my) Lord.
   
7. Strong's Number: H595
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָנֹכִי
   Transliteration: ʼânôkîy
   Pronunciation: aw-no-kee'
   Description: sometimes, aw-no'-kee; a primitive pronoun; I; I, me, [idiom] which.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6083
   There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָפָר
   Transliteration: ʻâphâr
   Pronunciation: aw-fawr'
   Description: from עָפַר; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud; ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish.
   
9. Strong's Number: H665
   There are 118 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵפֶר
   Transliteration: ʼêpher
   Pronunciation: ay'-fer
   Description: from an unused root meaning to bestrew; ashes; ashes.