Genesis 18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:22

Verse 22 22.But Abraham stood yet before the Lord. Moses first declares that the men proceeded onwards, conveying the impression, that having finished their discourse, they took leave of Abraham, in order that he might return home. He then adds, that Abraham stood before the Lord, as persons are wont to do, who, though dismissed, do not immediately depart, because something still remains to be said or done. Moses, when he makes mention of the journey, with propriety attributes the name of men... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:23

Verse 23 23.Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? It is certain that when God chastises the body of a people, he often involves the good and the reprobate in the same punishment. So Daniel, Ezekiel, Ezra, and others like them, who worshipped God in purity in their own country, were suddenly hurried away into exile, as by a violent tempest: notwithstanding it had been said ‘The land vomiteth out her inhabitants, because of their iniquities,’ (Leviticus 18:25.) But when God thus... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:25

Verse 25 25.Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? He does not here teach God His duty, as if any one should say to a judge, ‘See what thy office requires, what is worthy of this place, what suits thy character;’ but he reasons from the nature of God, that it is impossible for Him to intend anything unjust. I grant that, in using the same form of speaking, the impious often murmur against God, but Abraham does far otherwise. For although he wonders how God should think of destroying... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:27

Verse 27 27.Which am but dust and ashes. Abraham speaks thus for the sake of obtaining pardon. For what is mortal man when compared with God? He therefore confesses that he is too bold, in thus familiarly interrogating God; yet he desires that this favor may be granted unto him, by the Divine indulgence. It is to be noted, that the nearer Abraham approaches to God, the more fully sensible does he become of the miserable and abject condition of men. For it is only the brightness of the glory of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1

And the Lord — Jehovah , the Divine name employed throughout the present and succeeding chapters, which are accordingly assigned to the Jehovist (Tuch, Bleek, Davidson, Colenso), with the exception of Genesis 19:29 , which is commonly regarded as a fragment of the original Elohist's narration (vide infra ) — appeared unto him . The absence of Abraham's name has been thought to favor the idea that the present chapter should have begun at Genesis 17:23 (Quarry). That the time... 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

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