Genesis 18

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 18:19

(19) For I know him, that he will.—This translation has most of the Versions in its favour, and means that Abraham’s good conduct earns for him the Divine condescension. But the Hebrew is, For I have known him in order that he may command his sons, &c. It gives God foreknowledge of the purpose for which He had called Abraham as the reason for thus revealing to him the method of the Divine justice. And this purpose was, that from Abraham should spring a nation whose institutions were to be... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 18:21

(21) I will go down.—God examines before He punishes (see Note on Genesis 11:5) with the same care and personal inspection as the most conscientious earthly judge.Altogether.—Some take this word, not as an adverb, but as a noun (comp. Isaiah 10:23), and translate “I will see whether they have done according to the cry of it: (in which case there shall be for them) utter destruction.” But the ellipse is harsh; and inquiry, the knowing and not the punishing, is the prominent thought in the words... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 18:22

(22) Abraham stood yet before the Lord (before Jehovah).—The two angels went on their way in form as men, towards Sodom, but the one who was a manifestation of Jehovah (Genesis 18:13; Genesis 18:17) remained behind. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 18:23

(23) Abraham drew near.—As Jewish commentators remark, this word is especially used of prayer, and Abraham’s intercession is unspeakably noble. Nor must we suppose that he thought only of Lot. Doubtless he remembered the day when he had restored the persons and spoil to the king of Sodom. He had then seen their human affection; the joy of parent meeting with child, and friend with friend; and he hoped that there were good people among them, and that so marvellous a deliverance would work in... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 18:33

(33) The Lord (Jehovah) went his way.—Not to avoid further importunity, for Abraham had ended his entreaty, and obtained all that he had asked for; but because the purpose of the revelation was fulfilled. Besides the primary object of making known the perfect justice of God’s dealings with men, it further showed that the Gentile world was both subject to Jehovah’s dominion, and that there was mercy for it as well as for the covenant people. Such, in future times, was also the lesson of the Book... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 18:1-33

Abraham's Intercession Genesis 18:16-33 When Scott the commentator was dying, we are told that he spoke much to those around him on the way in which his prayers for others had been answered. He thought he had failed less in the duty of intercession than in any other. Whether that be true of Scott or not, it is surely very true of Abraham. His nearness to God is never more apparent than when he intercedes for Sodom. Meyer notes these features of his prayer: (1) It was lonely prayer. 'He waited... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:1-33

ABRAHAM’S INTERCESSION FOR SODOMGenesis 18:1-33THE scene with which this chapter opens is one familiar to the observer of nomad life in the East. During the scorching heat and glaring light of noon, while the birds seek the densest foliage and the wild animals lie panting in the thicket and everything is still and silent as midnight, Abraham sits in his tent door under the spreading oak of Mamre. Listless, languid, and dreamy as he is, he is at once aroused into brightest wakefulness by the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 18:1-33

CHAPTER 18 The Sixth Communication and Jehovah Visits Abraham 1. The manifestation (Genesis 18:1-2 ) 2. Abraham’s welcome (Genesis 18:3-8 ) 3. The promise repeated (Genesis 18:9-10 ) 4. Sarah’s laughter (Genesis 18:11-15 ) 5. The departure towards Sodom (Genesis 18:16 ) 6. Abraham’s intercession (Genesis 18:17-33 ) This most remarkable visitation was the answer of Jehovah to Abraham’s obedience of faith. The one in the middle was none other than Jehovah in human form; the other two... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 18:2

18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three {a} men stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,(a) That is, three angels in the shape of men. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 18:3

18:3 And said, My {b} Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:(b) Speaking to the one who appeared to be most majestic, for he thought they were men. read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 18:19

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 18:21

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 18:22

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 18:23

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 18:33

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 18:1-33

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:1-33

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 18:1-33

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 18:2

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 18:3

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