Genesis 18:31

And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for twenty's sake.

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.

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."

And Abraham said, โ€œNow that I have ventured to speak to the Lord, suppose twenty are found there?โ€ He answered, โ€œOn account of the twenty, I will not destroy it.โ€

And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the twentyโ€™s sake.

Commentary

Context of Genesis 18:31

Genesis 18:31 is a pivotal moment in the profound dialogue between Abraham and the Lord concerning the impending judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. This verse is part of Abraham's persistent intercession, where he boldly pleads with God to spare the city if a certain number of righteous people are found within it. The narrative begins with the Lord revealing His intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their grievous sin (Genesis 18:20-21). Abraham, having just shown hospitality to the divine visitors, takes on the role of an advocate, initiating a remarkable negotiation with God. He starts by asking if God would spare the city for fifty righteous individuals (Genesis 18:26) and, upon God's agreement, progressively lowers the number. Verse 31 marks the fifth step in this decreasing negotiation, as Abraham moves from thirty to twenty righteous people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Power of Intercession: This verse beautifully illustrates the concept of intercessory prayer. Abraham, despite his humility ("I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord"), boldly approaches God on behalf of others. His persistence and God's patience demonstrate the accessibility of God to those who seek Him.
  • God's Justice Tempered by Mercy: God's repeated agreement to Abraham's decreasing numbers highlights His immense mercy and His willingness to spare the wicked for the sake of the righteous. It underscores the divine principle that God is not eager to destroy but seeks reasons for salvation. This characteristic of God's nature is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, showing His desire for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
  • The Value of the Righteous: The dialogue emphasizes the profound influence and value of righteous individuals within a community. Even a small number of godly people can serve as a preserving force, potentially averting divine judgment.
  • Divine Patience and Accessibility: The Lord's willingness to listen to Abraham's repeated pleas, patiently responding to each reduction, showcases His boundless patience and His desire to engage with humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord" conveys Abraham's profound humility and awe in addressing the Almighty. The Hebrew word for "taken upon me" (ื”ื•ึนืึทืœึฐืชึผึดื™, ho'alti) suggests a sense of venturing or presuming, acknowledging the audacity of his request. Yet, it is precisely this humble boldness that God honors. This interaction is not a mere human negotiation, but a reverent plea from a man of faith who understands God's character.

Practical Application

Genesis 18:31 encourages believers to engage in persistent and bold intercessory prayer for cities, nations, and individuals. It reminds us that:

  • God hears and responds to prayer: Abraham's example inspires confidence that our prayers, even those that seem audacious, are heard by a merciful God.
  • Righteousness has an impact: Living righteously can have far-reaching consequences, not just for the individual but for the community at large. We are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16) in a world that desperately needs preserving.
  • God's mercy is vast: Even when judgment is deserved, God actively seeks reasons to show mercy. This inspires hope and a deeper appreciation for His character.

This verse serves as a powerful testament to the impact of one person's faith and the incredible patience and mercy of God.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

  • 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:

  • Hebrews 10:20

    By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

  • Hebrews 10:22

    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

  • Luke 18:1

    ยถ And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

  • Ephesians 6:18

    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

  • Matthew 7:7

    ยถ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
โ† Back