Genesis 18:17

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 18:17

And the Lord said ,.... Either unto Abraham himself, so leading on to what he was about to make known to him; and without supposing this it will be difficult to account for Abraham's intercession for Sodom upon this: or to the two angels with him; not as consulting them whether he should or no do what he next suggests, but to give to them Abraham's just character, and the reasons of his using him in such a friendly manner: or it may be, to the other divine Persons, the Father and Spirit, one... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:17

Shall I hide from Abraham - That is, I will not hide. A common mode of speech in Scripture - a question asked when an affirmative is designed. Do men gather grapes of thorns? Men do not gather grapes of thorns, etc. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:17

Verse 17 17.Shall I hide from Abraham? Seeing that God here takes counsel, as if concerning a doubtful matter, he does it for the sake of men; for he had already determined what he would do. But he designed, in this manner, to render Abraham more intent upon the consideration of the causes of Sodom’s destruction. He adduces two reasons why He wished to manifest his design to Abraham, before he carried it into execution. The former is, that he had already granted him a singularly honorable... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:17

And the Lord said (to himself), Shall I hide from Abraham —the LXX . interpolate, τοῦ παιδός μου; but, as Philo observes, τοῦ φιλοῦ μου would have been a more appropriate designation for the patriarch (cf. 2 Chronicles 20:7 ; Isaiah 41:8 ; James 2:23 ) that thing which I do. I .e. propose to do, the present being used for the future, where, as m the utterances of God, whose will is equivalent to his deed, the action is regarded by the Speaker as being already as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:17

Sodom's doom revealed. I. THE REASON OF THE REVELATION . 1. Abraham's new position . Having been lately taken into covenant with God, allied by the holy tie of a celestial friendship to Jehovah, the patriarch seemed in the Lord's eyes to occupy a footing of intimacy before him that demanded the disclosure of Sodom's impending doom. That footing the patriarch no doubt owed to Divine grace—sovereign, unmerited, free; but still, having been accorded to him, it is, by a further... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 18:17

Genesis 18:17. Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do Thus doth God in his counsels express himself after the manner of men, with deliberation. “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him.” Those that by faith live a life of communion with God, cannot but know more of his mind than other people. They have a better insight into what is present, and a better foresight of what is to come. 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

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