Genesis 18:16-19:38

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 18:16-22

The messengers from heaven had now despatched one part of their business, which was an errand of grace to Abraham and Sarah, and which they delivered first; but now they have before them work of another nature. Sodom is to be destroyed, and they must do it, Gen. 19:13. Note, As with the Lord there is mercy, so he is the God to whom vengeance belongs. Pursuant to their commission, we here find, 1. That they looked towards Sodom (Gen. 18:16); they set their faces against it in wrath, as God is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:16

And the men rose up from thence ,.... From their seats at Abraham's table under the tree, all three of them: and looked toward Sodom ; set their faces and steered their course that way, by which it appeared they intended to go thither: the Targum of Jonathan says, that he that brought the news to Sarah went up, to the highest heavens, and two of them looked toward Sodom; but it seems most likely, that, when the two went on their way to Sodom, the third stayed with Abraham: and Abraham... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:16

Abraham went with them to bring them on the way - This was another piece of primitive hospitality - to direct strangers in the way. Public roads did not then exist and guides were essentially necessary in countries where villages were seldom to be met with, and where solitary dwellings did not exist. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:16

Verse 16 16.And the men rose up from thence. Moses again calls those men, whom he had openly declared to be angels. But he gives them the name from the form which they had assumed. We are not, however, to suppose that they were surrounded with human bodies, in the same manner in which Christ clothed himself in our nature, together with our flesh; but God invested them with temporary bodies, in which they might be visible to Abraham, and might speak familiarly with him. Abraham is said to have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:16

And the men rose up from thence ,—Mamre ( vide supra , Genesis 18:1 )— and looked towards Sodom . Literally, toward the face (Rosenmüller), or towards the plain (Keil), of Sodom, as if intending to proceed thither. And Abraham went with them —across the mountains on the east of Hebron, as far as Caphar-barucha, according to tradition, whence a view can be obtained of the Dead Sea— solitudinem ac terras Sodomae (vide Keil, in loco ) — to bring them on the way .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:16-33

Abraham's intercession for Sodom. The whole wonderful scene springs out of the theophany. Abraham's faith has given him a special position with the Lord. "Shall I hide from Abraham that thug which I do?" &c.; The true priesthood and mediatorship is friendship with God. The grace of God first gives the likeness and then exalts it. The Lord knew Abraham because Abraham knew the Lord . The superior angel, the Lord, remains behind his companions that Abraham might have the... 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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:1-33

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 18:16

looked = looked down upon. Hebrew. shakaph. First occurance. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 18:16-18

DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH"And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?""Rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom ..." This indicated the direction that they intended to go; and the mention of Sodom shows that they were engaged on a... read more

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