Genesis 18:28

Verse

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.”

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

If by chance there are five less than fifty upright men, will you give up all the town to destruction because of these five? And he said, I will not give it to destruction if there are forty-five.

Douay-Rheims 1899

What if there be five less than fifty just persons? wilt thou for five and forty destroy the whole city? And he said: I will not destroy it, if I find five and forty.

Free Bible Version

“What if there are forty-five good people, just five less? Are you still going to wipe out the whole town just because there are five fewer people?” “I won't destroy it if I find forty-five,” the Lord replied.

Geneva Bible 1599

If there shall lacke fiue of fiftie righteous, wilt thou destroy all the citie for fiue? And he saide, If I finde there fiue and fourtie, I will not destroy it.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

What if there will lack five of the fifty upright? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?” He said, “I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there.”

Plain English Version

What if you find only 45 good people in that town, will you still finish up that town?” God said, “If I find 45 good people there, I will not finish up that town.”

Translation for Translators

But what will you do if there are only 45 righteous people? Will you destroy everyone in the whole city because there are only 45 and not 50 righteous people?” Yahweh replied, “I will not destroy it if I find that there are 45 righteous people.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

What if there are five less than fifty righteous? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” Then he said, “I will not destroy it, if I find there forty-five.”

Noah Webster Bible

Peradventure there will 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.

World English Bible

What if there will lack five of the fifty righteous? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?” He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”

Young's Literal Translation

peradventure there are lacking five of the fifty righteous — dost Thou destroy for five the whole of the city?' and He saith, 'I destroy [it] not, if I find there forty and five.'

Context

Abraham Intercedes for Sodom

²⁷Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes— ²⁸suppose 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.”

Summary

In this verse, Abraham engages in a dialogue with God, pleading for the city of Sodom to be spared if there are righteous people within it. His intercession reveals his compassion and concern for the inhabitants, as well as his faith in God's justice and mercy. Abraham's boldness in negotiating with God showcases the intimacy of his relationship with the Lord, demonstrating the power of prayer and the potential for divine intervention based on righteous living. This passage exemplifies the importance of standing in the gap for others and the impact of righteous individuals on the fate of a community.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Peradventure there should lack five of the fifty righteous,.... Or there should be but forty five; for Abraham perceived, by the Lord's answer, that there were not fifty righteous persons in the place: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? Abraham proceeds gradually in his requests, and does not ask too much at once, lest he should not succeed: and he said, if l find there forty and five, I will not destroy it; that is, forty five righteous persons.