Genesis 18:1-2 NIV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:1

And the Lord appeared - See note on Genesis 15:1 . Sat in the tent door - For the purpose of enjoying the refreshing air in the heat of the day, when the sun had most power. A custom still frequent among the Asiatics. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:2

Three men stood by him - עליו נצבים nitstsabim alaiv , were standing over against him; for if they had been standing by him, as our translation says, he needed not to have "run from the tent door to meet them." To Abraham these appeared at first as men; but he entertained angels unawares, see Hebrews 13:2 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:1

Verse 1 1.And the Lord appeared unto him It is uncertain whether Moses says, that God afterwards appeared again unto Abraham; or whether, reverting to the previous history, he here introduces other circumstances, which he had not before mentioned. I prefer, however, the former of these interpretations; namely, that God confirmed the mind of his servant witha new vision; just as the faith of the saints requires, at intervals, renewed assistance. It is also possible that the promise was repeated... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:2

Verse 2 2.And, lo, three men stood by him. Before Moses prceeds to his principal subject, he describes to us, the hospitality of the holy man; and he calls the angels men, because, being clothed with human bodies, they appeared to be nothing else than men. And this was done designedly, in order that he, receiving them as men, might give proof of his charity. For angels do not need those services of ours, which are the true evidences of charity. Moreover, hospitality holds the chief place among... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1

And the Lord — Jehovah , the Divine name employed throughout the present and succeeding chapters, which are accordingly assigned to the Jehovist (Tuch, Bleek, Davidson, Colenso), with the exception of Genesis 19:29 , which is commonly regarded as a fragment of the original Elohist's narration (vide infra ) — appeared unto him . The absence of Abraham's name has been thought to favor the idea that the present chapter should have begun at Genesis 17:23 (Quarry). That the time... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 18:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:1-15

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