Genesis 18:21. I will go down now and see Not as if there were any thing concerning which God is in doubt; but he is pleased thus to express himself after the manner of men, and to show that he ascertains the criminal’s guilt before he passes sentence. read more
Genesis 18:22. And the men That is, two of them, who appear to have been created angels: turned their faces from thence And went toward Sodom, which they entered in the evening; but the one called Jehovah throughout the chapter continued with Abraham, who stood yet before the Lord, evidently the same person with whom he had hitherto been communing. read more
Messengers from God (18:1-33)A short time later three men visited Abraham (who was still living at Hebron; see 13:18; 14:13; 18:1.) Abraham welcomed them, not realizing at first that they were God’s special representatives. This was another appearance of the angel of the Lord (18:1-8; see also v. 22; 19:1; Hebrews 13:2). Apparently Abraham had not been able to convince Sarah that she would have a child, so God sent his messenger to her direct. She had to share Abraham’s faith (9-15).Because... read more
I will go down = let us now go down. See Genesis 11:7 . Exodus 3:8 , all times of judgment. the cry. Should be their outcry: with Septuagint, Targum of Onkelos, and ancient reading in MSS. called Sevir. See App-34 . read more
the men. Probably the two of Genesis 19:1 . Abraham stood yet before the LORD. The primitive text read "Jehovah stood yet before Abraham. "One of the 18 emendations of the Sopherim. See App-33 . read more
"Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come up unto me; and if not, I will know."The amazing anthropomorphism here represents God as having heard a very damaging report of the wickedness of the doomed cities, and as making a personal trip down to them in order to have the facts first hand. The justice and fairness of any authority making such an... read more
"And the men turned from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before Jehovah."This introduces the great Intercessory Scene in which Abraham pleaded for God to spare the execution of the wicked cities. Note that the two angels are sent on their way to Sodom, but that Jehovah himself remained and heeded the plea of Abraham. The reception that the angels received in Sodom is recorded in the next chapter. The great intercession that Abraham made, and which is next recorded, is, "the... read more
21. I will go down . . . and see—language used after the manner of men. These cities were to be made examples to all future ages of God's severity; and therefore ample proof given that the judgment was neither rash nor excessive (Ezekiel 18:23; Jeremiah 18:7). Jeremiah 18:7- :. ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION. read more
God chose to reveal His intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham. He did so because of His plans for Abraham. He wanted to challenge Abraham to act wisely and nobly for justice."In this section [Genesis 18:1-21] we have an illustration of fellowship with God and some of its essential features. Fellowship is the crowning purpose of God’s revelation (1 John 1:3). There is nothing higher than this, for man’s life finds its complete fulfillment in union and communion with God. Notice the... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 18:1-33
- The Visit of the Lord to Abraham2. השׂתחיה vayı̂śtachû “bow,” or bend the body in token of respect to God or man. The attitude varies from a slight inclination of the body to entire prostration with the forehead touching the ground.6. סאה se'ah a “seah,” about an English peck, the third part of an ephah. The ephah contained ten omers. The omer held about five pints.This chapter describes Abraham’s fellowship with God. On the gracious assurance of the Redeemer and Vindicator, “Fear not, I am... read more