Genesis 18:3-4 . And he said, My Lord He addressed himself to one of the three, who seemed to have the pre-eminence, probably because of some peculiar majesty which appeared in his countenance, or the respect which the other two paid him. Let a little water be fetched As in those hot climates people went bare-footed, or wore only sandals, washing the feet often was both customary and necessary. 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
looked. See note on Genesis 13:14 . lo. The Figure of speech Asterismos. three men. Elohim ( App-4 ) and two angels called men (Hebrew. 'ish, plural, App-14 ) here, and verses: Genesis 18:16 , Genesis 18:22 , but in Genesis 19:1 , Genesis 19:15 the two are called "angels". Three the No. of Divine perfection (see App-10 ). "When two departed, Elohim (the Divine Presence) remained (verses: Genesis 18:16 , Genesis 18:22 ). read more
LORD = Jehovah, not Adonai. See App-32 . But plural throughout Genesis 19:0 of the two. read more
wash your feet. A common practice to this day; needed from use of sandals and bare feet; Compare Genesis 24:32 ; Genesis 43:24 . read more
bread. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , put for food in general. read more
"And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mature, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day: and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood over against him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth."Genesis 18:1 is the key to Genesis 18:2. The "three men" were not men at all, but the Lord Himself accompanied by two angels. Nevertheless, they had every appearance of being men and even ate dinner with Abraham, even... read more
"And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: let now a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and strengthen ye your heart; after that ye shall pass on: forasmuch as ye are come to your servant. And they said, So do as thou hast said.""I pray thee, my Lord, ... thy servant ... your servant..." This language is extravagant by our standards today, but here it... read more
Genesis 18:3. My Lord, if now, &c.— It follows from the manner of Abraham's address, that one of these three persons appeared the principal; though it is probable that, at first sight, he took them for mere men only. See Hebrews 13:2. The good patriarch's forwardness to perform the benevolent offices of hospitality is manifest from the whole of his behaviour. The phrase, if now I have found favour in thy sight, is a Hebraism signifying, if I am acceptable to you; the Latins have the same... read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 18:2
Genesis 18:2. And lo, three men These three men were three spiritual, heavenly beings, now assuming human shapes, that they might be visible to Abraham, and conversable with him. Some think they were all three created angels; others, which is more probable, that one of them was the Son of God. He bowed himself toward the ground Religion doth not destroy, but improve good manners, and teaches us to “honour all men.” read more