Genesis 18:23 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 18:23-33

Communion with God is kept up by the word and by prayer. In the word God speaks to us; in prayer we speak to him. God had revealed to Abraham his purposes concerning Sodom; now from this Abraham takes occasion to speak to God on Sodom's behalf. Note, God's word then does us good when it furnishes us with matter for prayer and excites us to it. When God has spoken to us, we must consider what we have to say to him upon it. Observe, I. The solemnity of Abraham's address to God on this occasion:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:23

And Abraham drew near ,.... To the Lord; he approached nearer to him, to have more close and intimate conversation with him on the subject of the destruction of Sodom, which he perceived, by what had been said, was like to be; he drew nigh to God in prayer; so the Targum of Jonathan,"and Abraham prayed and said;'he drew nigh with faith and freedom, and an holy boldness and confidence, and yet with great reverence of the divine Majesty, and in all humility, under a deep sense of his own... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:23

Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? - A form of speech similar to that in Genesis 18:17 , an invariable principle of justice, that the righteous shall not be punished for the crimes of the impious. And this Abraham lays down as the foundation of his supplications. Who can pray with any hope of success who cannot assign a reason to God and his conscience for the petitions he offers? The great sacrifice offered by Christ is an infinite reason why a penitent sinner should... 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

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 18:23

And Abraham drew near . I .e. to Jehovah; not simply locally, but also spiritually. The religious use of יִגַּשּׁ as a performing religious services to God, or a pious turning of the mind to God, is found in Exodus 30:20 ; Isaiah 29:13 ; Jeremiah 30:21 ; and in a similar sense ἐγγίζω is employed in the New Testament (cf. Hebrews 4:16 ; Hebrews 10:22 ; James 4:8 ). The Jonathan Targum explains, "and Abraham prayed." And said. Commencing the sublimest act of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:23-33

Abraham's intercession. I. THE OBJECT OF HIS INTERCESSION . Not simply the rescue of Lot from the doomed cities, but the salvation of the cities themselves, with their miserable inhabitants. A request evincing— 1. Tender sympathy . Though doubtless the righteous character of the impending retribution had been explained to him, its appalling severity was such as to thrill his feeling heart with anguish, which would certainly not be lessened, but intensified, if he... 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 18:23

Genesis 18:23. Abraham drew near This expression intimates a holy concern, and a holy confidence; he drew near with an assurance of faith. 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 18:23-33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:23

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:16-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:23-33

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 18:1-33

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 18:23

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:1-33

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