Genesis 18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 18

Chapter 18 We have an account in this chapter of another interview between God and Abraham, probably within a few days after the former, as the reward of his cheerful obedience to the law of circumcision. Here is, I. The kind visit which God made him, and the kind entertainment which he gave to that visit, Gen. 18:1-8. II. The matters discoursed of between them. 1. The purposes of God's love concerning Sarah, Gen. 18:9-15. 2. The purposes of God's wrath concerning Sodom. (1.) The discovery God... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 18:9-15

These heavenly guests (being sent to confirm the promise lately made to Abraham, that he should have a son by Sarah), while they are receiving Abraham's kind entertainment, they return his kindness. He receives angels, and has angels? rewards, a gracious message from heaven, Matt. 10:41. I. Care is taken that Sarah should be within hearing. She must conceive by faith, and therefore the promise must be made to her, Heb. 11:11. It was the modest usage of that time that the women did not sit at... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

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

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 18 Another appearance of God to Abraham is here recorded; three persons are seen by him in an human form, whom he kindly invites to stop with him, and generously entertains them, Genesis 18:1 ; they inquire concerning Sarah his wife, and one of them renews the promise of her bearing a son to him, which occasions laughter in her, for which she is reproved, Genesis 18:9 ; upon their departure the Lord thought fit, for reasons given, to make known to Abraham his... 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

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