Genesis 18:27

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

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}:

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

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

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

Commentary

In Genesis 18:27, Abraham is engaged in a profound dialogue with the Lord, interceding on behalf of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This verse captures a pivotal moment of humility and reverence as he continues to plead for the righteous within those cities, expressing his profound awareness of his own position before the Almighty God.

Context

This verse is part of Abraham's remarkable intercession for Sodom, following the Lord's revelation of His plan to destroy the wicked cities due to their grievous sin (Genesis 18:20-21). Abraham, having just hosted the Lord and two angels, boldly yet respectfully engages in a "negotiation" with God, starting from fifty righteous people and progressively lowering the number. His statement in verse 27 comes after his initial plea, serving as an acknowledgment of his unworthiness to speak so directly to the Creator, before he proceeds to ask if the city would be spared for forty-five righteous individuals.

Key Themes

  • Humility in Prayer: Abraham's declaration, "I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which [am but] dust and ashes," powerfully conveys his deep humility. He recognizes the vast chasm between his finite, mortal being and the infinite, holy God. This humility allows him to approach God with reverence while still expressing his heartfelt concern.
  • Human Frailty and Mortality: The phrase "dust and ashes" is a vivid Hebrew idiom emphasizing human insignificance, mortality, and created nature. It echoes the creation of man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7) and the eventual return to it (Genesis 3:19). Abraham uses it to underscore his unworthiness to stand before the divine.
  • Boldness and Reverence: Despite his profound humility, Abraham does not shrink from his purpose. He balances a deep sense of unworthiness with a divinely inspired boldness to intercede, demonstrating the unique privilege of those in covenant relationship with God.
  • God's Accessibility: The Lord's willingness to listen and engage in this prolonged conversation with Abraham highlights His accessibility and patience, inviting His servants to approach Him with their petitions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "dust and ashes" (Hebrew: עָפָר וָאֵפֶר, 'aphar va'epher) is a common biblical expression. It signifies:

  • Mortality: A reminder of human beings' origin from the earth and their eventual return to it.
  • Insignificance: Compared to God's majesty and power, humanity is fleeting and small.
  • Humiliation/Repentance: In other contexts, it can also symbolize deep sorrow or repentance (e.g., Job 42:6). Here, it primarily emphasizes Abraham's humble self-assessment before his divine interlocutor.

Practical Application

Abraham's example in Genesis 18:27 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Approach God with Humility: We are encouraged to recognize God's immense sovereignty and our own created nature, fostering a spirit of reverence in our prayers.
  • Pray Boldly: Despite our humility, we are invited to bring our concerns and intercessions before God with confidence, knowing that He listens to His children. This balance between reverence and boldness is key to effective prayer.
  • Intercede for Others: Abraham's passionate plea for Sodom reminds us of our call to intercede for the lost, the suffering, and those in need of God's mercy.
  • Acknowledge God's Greatness: Regularly reflecting on God's majesty and our own frailty deepens our worship and trust in His divine plan.

This verse beautifully encapsulates the tension and privilege of a mortal speaking with the eternal, demonstrating that true spiritual power often begins with profound humility.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 6:5

    ¶ Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

  • Genesis 3:19

    In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.

  • Luke 5:8

    When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:47

    The first man [is] of the earth, earthy: the second man [is] the Lord from heaven.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:48

    As [is] the earthy, such [are] they also that are earthy: and as [is] the heavenly, such [are] they also that are heavenly.

  • Genesis 2:7

    And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

  • Isaiah 64:8

    But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand.
← Back