Genesis 18:9-17 KJV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:11

Verse 11 11.Were old, and well stricken in age Moses inserts this verse to inform us that what the angel was saying, justly appeared improbable to Sarah. For it is contrary to nature that children should be promised to decrepit old men. A doubt, however, may be entertained on this point, respecting Abraham: because men are sometimes endued with strength to have children, even in extreme old age: and especially in that period, such an occurrence was not uncommon. But Moses here speaks... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:12

Verse 12 12.Therefore Sarah laughed within herself Abraham had laughed before, as appears in the preceding chapter Genesis 17:1 : but the laughter of both was, by no means, similar. For Sarah is not transported with admiration and joy, on receiving the promise of God; but foolishly sets her own age and that of her husband in opposition to the word of God; that she may withhold confidence from God, when he speaks. Yet she does not, avowedly, charge God with falsehood or vanity; but because,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:13

Verse 13 13.And the Lord said. Because the majesty of God had now been manifested in the angels, Moses expressly mentions his Name. We have before declared, in what sense the name of God is transferred to the angel; it is not, therefore, now necessary to repeat it: except, as it is always important to remark, that the word of the Lord is so precious to himself, that he would be regarded by us as present, whenever he speaks through his ministers. Again, whenever he manifested himself to the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:15

Verse 15 15.Then Sarah denied. Another sin of Sarah’s was, that she endeavored to cover and hide her laughter by a falsehood. Yet this excuse did not proceed from obstinate wickedness, according to the manner in which hypocrites are wont to snatch at subterfuges, so that they remain like themselves, even to the end. Sarah’s feelings were of a different kind; for while she repents of her own folly, she is yet so terrified, as to deny that she had done, what she now perceives to be displeasing to... 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

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 18:1-15

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 18:9

And they said unto him ( i.e. the Principal One of the three, speaking for the others, interrogated Abraham during the progress, or perhaps at the close of, the meal saying), Where is Sarah thy wife? (thus indicating that their visit had a special reference to her). And he said, Behold, in the tent . It is obvious that if at first Abraham regarded his visitors only as men, by this time a suspicion of their true character must have begun to dawn upon his mind. How should ordinary... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:15

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:9

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