Genesis 18:2-5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:3

Verse 3 3.Pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant In asking thus meekly, and even suppliantly, there is no doubt that Abraham does it, moved by the reason which I have stated. For if he had slaughtered calves for all kinds of travelers, his house would soon have been emptied by his profuse expenditure. He, therefore, did honor to their virtue and their excellent endowments, lest he should pour contempt upon God. Thus, neither was he so liberal as to invite wanderers, or other men of all... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:5

Verse 5 5.For therefore are ye come to your servant He does not mean that they had come designedly, or for the express purpose of seeking to be entertained, as his guests; but he intimates that their coming had occurred opportunely, as if he would say, ‘You have not slipped into this place by chance; but have been led hither by the design and the direction of God.’ He, therefore, refers it to the providence of God, that they had come, so conveniently, to a place where they might refresh... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

Noontide at, Mamre, or angels' visits. I. THE ARRIVAL OF THE STRANGERS . 1. The appearance they presented. Seemingly three men, they were in reality three angels, or, more correctly, Jehovah accompanied by two celestial attend ants, who, at an unexpected moment, were making for Abraham's tent. So are the homes of saints ofttimes visited by angels unawares ( Hebrews 1:14 ), and, greater honor still, by him who claims the angels as his ministers ( Psalms 8:4 ; Isaiah 57:17... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The theophany at Mamre. I. THE DIVINE VISIT TO THE PATRIARCH . 1. A remarkable proof of the Divine condescension. 2. A striking adumbration of the incarnation of Christ. 3. An instructive emblem of God's gracious visits to his saints. II. THE DIVINE FEAST WITH THE PATRIARCH . 1. The courteous invitation. 2. The sumptuous provision. 3. The ready attention. III. THE DIVINE MESSAGE FOR THE PATRIARCH . 1. Its delivery to Abraham. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The theophany at Mamre. "The Lord appeared unto him" ( Genesis 18:1 ). I. THE PREPARATION FOR DIVINE MANIFESTATION . 1. Abraham stands on a higher plane of spiritual life. He is endeavoring to fulfill the commandment given ( Genesis 17:1 ): "Walk before me," &c.; The appearances and communications are more frequent and more full. 2. The concentration of the believer's thought at a particular crisis. His place at the tent door, looking forth over the plains of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:2

And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him. Not in addition to (Kalisch), but including (Keil), Jehovah, whose appearance to the patriarch, having in the previous verse been first generally stated, is now minutely described. That these three men were not manifestations of the three persons of the Godhead, but Jehovah accompanied by two created angels, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground . The expression denotes the complete... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:3

And said, My Lord —Adonai, literally, Lord, as in Genesis 15:2 , q.v. ( LXX ; κύριε ; Vulgate, Domine ; Syriac, Onkelos, Kalisch, Alford, Lange), though the term may have indicated nothing more than-Abraham's recognition of the superior authority of the Being addressed (Murphy). The readings Adoni, my Lord ( A . V ; Dathius, Rosenmüller), and Aden, my lords (Gesenius), are incorrect— if now I have found favor in thy sight —not implying dubiety on Abraham's part as to his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:4

Let a little water, I pray yon, be fetched, and wash your feet. Feet washing was a necessary part of Oriental hospitality (cf. Genesis 19:2 ; Genesis 24:32 ; Genesis 43:24 ). "Among the ancient Egyptians the basins kept in the houses of the rich for this purpose were sometimes of gold". " In India it is considered a necessary part of hospitality to wash the feet and ankles of the weary traveler, and even in Palestine this interesting custom is not extinct. Dr. Robinson and party on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:5

And I will fetch a morsel of bread, —a modest description of what proved a sumptuous repast ( vide Genesis 18:6 , Genesis 18:8 )— and comfort ye your hearts; —literally, strengthen or support them, i.e. by eating and drinking ( 19:5 ; 1 Kings 21:7 )— after that ye shall pass on: for therefore — כִּי־עַל־כֵּן introduces the ground of what has already been stated, something like quando quidem, forasmuch as, since, or because (Kalisch), and not = עַל־כֵּש־כִּי , for... read more

Albert Barnes

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

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