Genesis 18:28

Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for [lack of] five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy [it].

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.

What if there are five less than fifty righteous?"He said, "I won't destroy it if I find forty-five there."

suppose the fifty righteous ones lack five. Will You destroy the whole city for the lack of five?” He replied, “If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it.”

peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five.

Commentary

Genesis 18:28 is a pivotal moment in Abraham's bold intercession for the city of Sodom, demonstrating his deep concern for human life and God's willingness to listen to His servant's pleas. This verse captures a specific stage in Abraham's negotiation with the Lord, as he incrementally reduces the number of righteous individuals required to spare the city.

Context

This verse is part of a profound dialogue between Abraham and the Lord (who appeared to him in human form) concerning the impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord had revealed His intention to investigate the great wickedness of Sodom. Abraham, knowing his nephew Lot resided there, began to intercede, starting with the premise that God would not destroy the righteous with the wicked. His initial plea was for 50 righteous individuals (Genesis 18:24), and in this verse, he continues to press the boundary of God's mercy, lowering the number to 45.

Key Themes

  • Intercessory Prayer: Abraham's persistence in prayer is a powerful example for believers. He doesn't give up after the first agreement but continues to plead on behalf of others, highlighting the importance of praying for those in need.
  • Divine Mercy and Justice: God's repeated affirmation of His willingness to spare the city for the sake of the righteous reveals His immense mercy and patience, even in the face of overwhelming sin. It underscores that God is not eager to punish but desires to save.
  • The Power of a Remnant: The dialogue emphasizes the significant influence a small number of righteous people can have on God's judgment. God indicates that the presence of even a few upright individuals can avert widespread destruction.
  • God's Responsiveness: The Lord's patient and measured responses to each of Abraham's requests demonstrate God's willingness to engage with His servants and hear their petitions.

Linguistic Insights

The word "Peradventure" (Hebrew: 'ulay) expresses Abraham's cautious hope and speculation, a gentle probing of God's boundaries of mercy. The term "righteous" (Hebrew: tzaddiqim) refers to those who are just, upright, and in proper relationship with God, living according to His standards. This highlights the foundational principle that God differentiates between the righteous and the wicked in His judgments.

Practical Application

This passage encourages believers to engage in fervent and persistent intercessory prayer for cities, nations, and individuals, especially those steeped in sin. It reminds us that God is a God of both justice and incredible mercy, and that His patience is a call to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Furthermore, it underscores the profound impact that righteous individuals can have on their communities, serving as a spiritual leaven or preserving salt, potentially averting divine wrath. Though Sodom was ultimately destroyed because not even ten righteous were found (Genesis 19:24), the principle of God's desire to spare for the sake of the righteous remains a powerful testament to His character.

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

  • 1 Kings 20:32

    So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and [put] ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, [Is] he yet alive? he [is] my brother.

  • 1 Kings 20:33

    Now the men did diligently observe whether [any thing would come] from him, and did hastily catch [it]: and they said, Thy brother Benhadad. Then he said, Go ye, bring him. Then Benhadad came forth to him; and he caused him to come up into the chariot.

  • Genesis 18:26

    And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

  • Genesis 18:29

    And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do [it] for forty's sake.

  • Job 23:3

    Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!

  • Job 23:4

    I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

  • Numbers 14:17

    And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,
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