Genesis18

The LORD appears to Abraham in Mamre with two angels, who are received with great hospitality. They announce that Sarah, despite her old age, will bear a son, causing her to laugh in disbelief. Subsequently, the LORD reveals His intent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, prompting Abraham to intercede for the cities, progressively lowering the number of righteous individuals required to spare them.

The LORD Visits Abraham

1
ADONAI appeared to Avraham by the oaks of Mamre as he sat at the entrance to the tent during the heat of the day. ​
2
He raised his eyes and looked, and there in front of him stood three men. On seeing them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, prostrated himself on the ground, ​
3
and said, "My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, please don't leave your servant. ​
4
Please let me send for some water, so that you can wash your feet; then rest under the tree,
5
and I will bring a piece of bread. Now that you have come to your servant, refresh yourselves before going on.""Very well," they replied, "do what you have said."
6
Avraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quickly, three measures of the best flour! Knead it and make cakes."
7
Avraham ran to the herd, took a good, tender calf and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it. ​
8
Then he took curds, milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it all before the men; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.

The Promise of a Son

9
They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" He said, "There, in the tent."
10
He said, "I will certainly return to you around this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."Sarah heard him from the entrance of the tent, behind him. ​
11
Avraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years; Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
12
So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "I am old, and so is my lord; am I to have pleasure again?" ​
13
ADONAI said to Avraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and ask, 'Am I really going to bear a child when I am so old?'
14
Is anything too hard for ADONAI? At the time set for it, at this season next year, I will return to you; and Sarah will have a son." ​
15
Sarah denied it, saying, "I didn't either laugh," because she was afraid. He said, "Not so - you did laugh." ​

The LORD Reveals His Judgment

16
The men set out from there and looked over toward S'dom, and Avraham went with them to see them on their way.
17
ADONAI said, "Should I hide from Avraham what I am about to do, ​
18
inasmuch as Avraham is sure to become a great and strong nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed by him?
19
For I have made myself known to him, so that he will give orders to his children and to his household after him to keep the way of ADONAI and to do what is right and just, so that ADONAI may bring about for Avraham what he has promised him." ​
20
ADONAI said, "The outcry against S'dom and 'Amora is so great and their sin so serious ​
21
that I will now go down and see whether their deeds warrant the outcry that has reached me; if not, I will know." ​
22
The men turned away from there and went toward S'dom, but Avraham remained standing before ADONAI. ​

Abraham Intercedes for Sodom

23
Avraham approached and said, "Will you actually sweep away the righteous with the wicked? ​
24
Maybe there are fifty righteous people in the city; will you actually sweep the place away, and not forgive it for the sake of the fifty righteous who are there?
25
Far be it from you to do such a thing - to kill the righteous along with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike! Far be it from you! Shouldn't the judge of all the earth do what is just?" ​
26
ADONAI said, "If I find in S'dom fifty who are righteous, then I will forgive the whole place for their sake." ​
27
Avraham answered, "Here now, I, who am but dust and ashes, have taken it upon myself to speak to Adonai.
28
What if there are five less than fifty righteous?"He said, "I won't destroy it if I find forty-five there."
29
He spoke to him yet again: "What if forty are found there?" He said, "For the sake of the forty I won't do it."
30
He said, "I hope Adonai won't be angry if I speak. What if thirty are found there?" He said, "I won't do it if I find thirty there."
31
He said, "Here now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to Adonai. What if twenty are found there?" He said, "For the sake of the twenty I won't destroy it."
32
He said, "I hope Adonai won't be angry if I speak just once more. What if ten are found there?" He said, "For the sake of the ten I won't destroy it." ​
33
ADONAI went on his way as soon as he had finished speaking to Avraham, and Avraham returned to his place. ​

Study Notes for Genesis 18

Verse 1

The appearance of the LORD (likely accompanied by two angels who later visit Sodom) is a powerful example of divine condescension, often interpreted by scholars as a pre-incarnate manifestation (Christophany).

Verse 2

The immediate recognition and deference shown by Abraham ('ran to meet them') demonstrates the importance of profound hospitality in the ancient Near East, especially toward strangers who might be divine messengers.

Verse 3

Abraham addresses one figure as 'My Lord' (Adonai), suggesting he quickly recognized the divine or quasi-divine nature of at least one visitor, despite the human appearance.

Verse 7

Abraham’s lavish preparations—a calf, fine meal, butter, and milk—went far beyond typical polite custom, reflecting his deep honor for his guests.

Verse 10

The promise is made specific and time-bound: 'according to the time of life' means approximately one year from this date. This specificity removes all ambiguity regarding the divine plan.

Verse 12

Sarah's internal laughter (Hebrew *tzachaq*) expresses natural human skepticism regarding the promise, as both she and Abraham were biologically past childbearing age.

Verse 14

This rhetorical question is the theological centerpiece of the promise narrative, asserting God’s absolute power and ability to transcend natural limitations to fulfill His covenant.

Verse 15

Sarah’s denial out of fear highlights the tension between human doubt and the immediate presence of the divine. The LORD’s response confirms His omniscience.

Verse 17

The LORD chooses to reveal His intentions to Abraham because of their covenant relationship, treating Abraham as a trusted confidant rather than just a subject.

Verse 19

God justifies the revelation by affirming Abraham’s foundational role: he is chosen not just for blessing, but also to establish a moral legacy and ensure his descendants maintain justice and righteousness.

Verse 20

The 'cry of Sodom' suggests that their sin was so profound and widespread that it demanded divine attention and necessitated a visible judgment.

Verse 21

God uses anthropomorphic language ('I will go down now, and see') to assure Abraham that the judgment will be based on verifiable facts, emphasizing divine fairness and due process.

Verse 22

This verse distinguishes between the two angels who depart for Sodom (Chapter 19) and the LORD Himself, who remains behind to speak directly with Abraham.

Verse 23

Abraham begins his bold intercession, demonstrating the privilege of prayer granted through the covenant relationship (cf. James 5:16).

Verse 25

Abraham appeals to God's immutable character, relying on the conviction that the 'Judge of all the earth' must act in perfect moral consistency and justice.

Verse 26

God’s immediate willingness to compromise the judgment for the sake of the righteous highlights the power of intercession and the value God places on even a few faithful individuals.

Verse 32

The negotiation down to ten demonstrates God's profound patience and desire for mercy, indicating that had even a minimal number of righteous people been found, the city would have been spared.

Verse 33

The dialogue ends when Abraham stops asking, not when God refuses, underscoring the completeness of the interaction granted through Abraham's persistent faith.

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