Genesis 18:1-8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 18:1-8

The appearance of God to Abraham seems to have had in it more of freedom and familiarity, and less of grandeur and majesty, than those we have hitherto read of; and therefore more resembles that great visit which, in the fullness of time, the Son of God was to make to the world, when the Word would be flesh, and appear as one of us. Observe here, I. How Abraham expected strangers, and how richly his expectations were answered (Gen. 18:1): He sat in the tent-door, in the heat of the day; not so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:1

And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre ,.... That is, to Abraham; and very likely this appearance of God was quickly after the affair of the circumcision, to show his approbation of his ready obedience to his command; and at this time he was in the plains, or at the oaks of Mamre, the oaken grove there, as has been observed on Genesis 13:18 ; and which seems to be the best rendering of the words, since in Genesis 18:4 ; mention is made of a tree to sit and stand under; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:2

And he lifted up his eyes and looked ,.... To see if he could observe any passengers coming that way: and, lo, three men stood by him ; having perhaps descended at once from heaven upon the spot near where Abraham sat; for these, whoever they were, appeared in an human form, and they were took by Abraham at first sight to be men, and as such he treated them: some have taken these to be the three divine Persons, as some of the ancients; of which opinion was Dr. Lightfoot, who expressly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:3

And said, my Lord ,.... He addressed himself to one of them who appeared to him to be the greatest and most honourable, either by the appearance of his countenance, or by his dress, or by the situation in which he was between the other two, and by their carriage and behaviour to him: if now I have found favour in thy sight ; signifying he should esteem it an honour done him, that he and his companions would vouchsafe to stop and refresh themselves: pass not away, I pray thee, from thy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:4

Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet ,.... Which was very refreshing to travellers in hot countries, who walked barefoot or in sandals; and this he proposes to be done by one of his servants, whose business it was, only desires they would give him leave to order it, 1 Samuel 25:41 ; and so it was usual in other countries, and in later times, for servants to fetch water to wash the hands and feet of guests F12 "----- dant manibus famuli lymphas." --Virgil.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:5

And I will fetch a morsel of bread ,.... A piece or a loaf of bread, as De Dieu shows the word signifies; bread being put for all the necessaries of life: and comfort ye your hearts ; eat to refresh your spirits and renew your strength, that ye may be able to pursue your journey: and after that ye shall pass on your way; I will retard you no longer: for therefore are ye come to your servant ; not that he thought they came this way on purpose to take some refreshment with him, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:6

And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah ,.... In order to acquaint her with his guests, and to give proper instructions for providing food for them; and this he hasted to do, being hearty in the entertainment of them, and that he might not keep them too long from their journey: and said , to Sarah his wife: make ready quickly three measures of fine meal ; which was ready sifted from the bran, and was the finest flour that was in the house, and only wanted to be mixed and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:7

And Abraham ran unto the herd ,.... While Sarah and her maids were kneading the dough and making the cakes: and fetched a calf tender and good ; a fine fat calf, which was reckoned very delicious food, and much in use with the ancients F17 αυταρ εγων αγεληθεν ελασσας πιονα μοσχον --Orpheus de lapidibus, ver. 63. and generally made a part in any grand entertainment, and was accounted fit for a king, see 1 Samuel 28:24 , and gave it unto a young man : one of his servants,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:8

And he took butter and milk ,.... Jarchi says, it was the fat of the milk gathered from the top of it, he means cream, and is different both from butter and from milk: this was either Abraham himself, who took and brought these, as Sarah or her maidens might bring the cakes when baked; or else Abraham's young man, since it follows: and the calf which he had dressed ; either the whole of it, or some principal parts of it, reckoned the finest and choicest; though by what follows it seems... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:1

And the Lord appeared - See note on Genesis 15:1 . Sat in the tent door - For the purpose of enjoying the refreshing air in the heat of the day, when the sun had most power. A custom still frequent among the Asiatics. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 18:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:1

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