Genesis 18

The LORD visits Abraham in the form of a man, with two companions. Abraham welcomes them with generous hospitality, and they renew the promise that Sarah will bear a son within a year. Then the LORD shares His plan to judge Sodom, and Abraham pleads boldly for the righteous who might be there.

Genesis 18:1

The LORD comes to Abraham at his tent in the midday heat, when travelers normally rest. God takes the first step. He seeks out a man He has called His friend, and He comes to him in the middle of ordinary life.

BSA: appeared (“was seen, became visible”): The invisible God made Himself seen, so Abraham met Him face to face in human form.

See also: Genesis 12:7; Isaiah 41:8.

Genesis 18:2

Abraham looks up and sees three men. He does not wait for them to speak. He runs to them, which is striking for an old man, and bows to the ground. He treats these strangers as honored guests.

BSA: bowed low (“prostrated himself, adored”): His bow goes beyond courtesy and shows deep respect, even reverence.

Hebrew: וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ (wayyishtachu, H7812) — “and he bowed down.” The Hebrew word means to stretch oneself flat before someone. It is used for greeting great men and for worshiping God.

Genesis 18:3-5

Abraham speaks as a humble servant. He offers water for dusty feet, shade, and a little bread. His words are modest, but the meal he prepares is lavish. The guests accept, and so begin a meal that carries God’s promise.

BSA: favor (“graciousness, kindness”): Abraham treats their visit as a kindness he does not deserve. refresh (“comfort, support”): Bread is meant to strengthen the heart as well as the body.

Hebrew: חֵן (chen, H2580) — “favor, grace.” This is the word for kindness given freely and not earned. Abraham asks for it from his guests, and he has already received it from God.

See also: Hebrews 13:2.

Genesis 18:6-8

Everyone hurries. Sarah bakes bread from a large amount of fine flour, a servant prepares a choice calf, and Abraham adds curds and milk. Then he stands by while they eat. His hospitality is quick, generous and humble.

BSA: fine flour (“premium quality, sifted and refined”): He gives them the best flour, not ordinary meal. curds (“butter, yogurt”): These soured or thick milk products were a common and welcome food in a hot land.

Genesis 18:9

The visitors ask for Sarah by name. They know more than strangers should. Abraham answers that she is in the tent. The question prepares for the promise to come and draws her into the conversation.

Genesis 18:10

The LORD speaks plainly. He will come back about a year later, and Sarah will have a son. Sarah is listening from behind the tent door. The promise that God gave to Abraham is now also spoken in her hearing.

BSA: return (“come back, turn back”): God promises to come again Himself, and not only to send a gift.

See also: Genesis 17:15-19.

Genesis 18:11-12

Both were far past the years of childbearing. Sarah laughs quietly at the thought of such joy at her age. Her laugh holds doubt, and perhaps longing as well. She also calls Abraham her master, which the New Testament later points to as respect.

BSA: laughed (“with scorn or joy”): Her laughter may mix disbelief and a hope she hardly dares to feel. pleasure (“delight, a state of joy or happiness”): She speaks of the joy of a marriage and a child that seemed long gone.

Hebrew: וַתִּצְחַק (wattitschaq, H6711) — “and she laughed.” This is the root of the name Isaac, which means ‘he laughs.’ God will turn her doubtful laugh into the name of the promised child.

See also: 1 Peter 3:6; Romans 4:19-21.

Genesis 18:13-14

The LORD knows what Sarah thought in secret. He asks Abraham about it, and then asks the question that answers it: is anything too difficult for the LORD? He repeats the promise and gives a set time. Nothing God has promised is beyond His power.

BSA: too difficult (“too hard, beyond power”): The question is whether any task could be beyond God’s ability. The answer is no.

Hebrew: הֲיִפָּלֵא (hayipalé, H6381) — “is it too wonderful, too hard.” The word is related to the word for ‘wonders.’ The thing that seems impossible to Sarah is the kind of wonder that only God does.

See also: Luke 1:37; Jeremiah 32:17.

Genesis 18:15

Sarah is frightened at being known and says she did not laugh. She lies out of fear. The LORD does not crush her. He quietly says that she did laugh. He corrects her, and the promise still stands.

BSA: afraid (“filled with fear, reverent awe”): She realizes she is in the presence of One who sees into hidden thoughts.

Genesis 18:16

The men rise to leave and look toward Sodom in the valley below. Abraham walks with them to send them off, as a good host would. He is about to be brought into something much larger than a meal.

BSA: see them off (“to bring them on their way, to bid farewell”): A host accompanied departing guests for a distance, as a sign of honor.

Genesis 18:17-19

The LORD decides to tell Abraham what He is about to do. He has chosen Abraham to be the father of a people through whom all nations will be blessed. Abraham is also to teach his household to live rightly. God’s purposes are tied to the way His people live.

BSA: hide (“conceal, keep secret”): God treats Abraham as a friend and does not keep this from him. chosen (“selected and appointed”): God singled Abraham out for a purpose, not only for his own sake. way (“path and manner of life”): Following God is a whole way of living, not a single act.

Hebrew: יְדַעְתִּיו (yedaʿtiv, H3045) — “I have known him.” The Hebrew says literally ‘I have known him.’ It means more than knowing facts. It describes a personal, chosen relationship.

See also: Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8.

Genesis 18:20-21

The cry against Sodom and Gomorrah has risen to God. He says He will go down and see for Himself. This is picture language, but it shows that God judges with care and does not act blindly. He hears the cries of the wronged.

BSA: outcry (“a loud cry or shriek, expressing distress”): It is the sound of victims crying out for help against injustice. go down (“to investigate, to see for myself”): God shows that He looks into matters carefully before He judges.

Hebrew: צְעָקָה (tsaʿaqah, H6818) — “outcry, cry of distress.” This is the cry of someone who is wronged and calls for help. Elsewhere in Scripture God hears this kind of cry.

See also: Genesis 4:10; Ezekiel 16:49-50.

Genesis 18:22

The two other men go on toward Sodom. Abraham stays standing before the LORD. He stays in God’s presence and is ready to speak for the city. The scene prepares for the great prayer that follows.

Genesis 18:23-25

Abraham comes near and asks whether God will sweep the righteous away with the wicked. He appeals to who God is. The Judge of all the earth must do what is right. Abraham’s boldness comes from trust in God’s character and not from any claim of his own.

BSA: stepped forward (“drew near, approached”): He comes close to God to speak, as one welcome in His presence. sweep away (“snatch, consume, destroy”): It pictures a sudden, total destruction that takes everyone along. Judge (“Ruler, Governor”): God rules over all the earth and is answerable to His own justice.

Hebrew: שֹׁפֵט (shofet, H8199) — “judge.” In Hebrew the word covers ruling as well as judging. God as Judge is the one who sets things right for all the earth.

See also: Psalm 94:2; Romans 3:5-6.

Genesis 18:26

The LORD agrees. If fifty righteous people are in the city, He will spare the whole place for their sake. Abraham learns that God is eager to show mercy, and that a few righteous people can matter to a whole city.

BSA: spare (“show mercy, withhold judgment”): God is willing to hold back judgment for the sake of the righteous.

See also: Jeremiah 5:1.

Genesis 18:27-28

Abraham admits how small he is to speak with the Lord. Yet he goes on and asks about forty-five. His humility and boldness go together. The LORD again agrees.

BSA: dust (“insignificant, earthly”): He remembers that he is made of earth. ashes (“ephemeral, worthless”): Ashes are what is left after a fire, so the word shows how little he counts himself before God.

Hebrew: עָפָר וָאֵפֶר (ʿafar waʾefer, H6083) — “dust and ashes.” The pair of words is a vivid picture of how small and short-lived a person is. Abraham still prays with confidence.

See also: Genesis 2:7.

Genesis 18:29-32

Abraham keeps going down: forty, thirty, twenty, and finally ten. Each time he asks politely, and each time the LORD says yes. The prayer shows how patient God is with an honest, humble request. It also shows Abraham’s concern for people he hardly knows.

BSA: angry (“incensed, furious”): Abraham knows he is pressing hard and asks God not to be offended.

See also: James 5:16.

Genesis 18:33

The conversation ends. The LORD leaves, and Abraham goes back to his place. Abraham has stopped asking at ten. The chapter leaves open what will happen to the city, and the next chapter tells it.

BSA: returned (“to turn back, come back”): Abraham goes back to his ordinary life after standing before God.

See also: Genesis 19:29.