Genesis 18:28-31

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 18:28

Peradventure there should lack five of the fifty righteous ,.... Or there should be but forty five; for Abraham perceived, by the Lord's answer, that there were not fifty righteous persons in the place: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? Abraham proceeds gradually in his requests, and does not ask too much at once, lest he should not succeed: and he said, if l find there forty and five, I will not destroy it ; that is, forty five righteous persons. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:29

And he spake unto him yet again, and said ,.... Being encouraged by such a gracious answer: Peradventure there shall be forty found there ; forty righteous persons; and, from preceding passages, it must be supplied,"wilt thou destroy and not spare the place for their sakes?" and he said, I will not do it for forty's sake ; but spare them for their sake. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:30

And he said unto him, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak ,.... He feared, through his importunity, he should be wearisome to him and incur his displeasure; this being often the case among men, especially when inferiors are soliciting their superiors, and, not content with one favour, are pressing for more: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there ; the abatement is larger than before; he only made an abatement of five at a time, now ten at once, and so he proceeds: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:31

And he said, behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord ,.... See Gill on Genesis 18:27 , Peradventure there shall be twenty found there ; wouldest thou destroy it, such a number being in it; or, wouldest thou spare it for their sakes? and he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake ; if there were no more in it, I would spare it for their sake. 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 18:23-33

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:28

Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? Literally, on account of five, i.e. because they are wanting. A rare example of holy ingenuity in prayer. Abraham, instead of pleading for the city's safety on account of forty-five, deprecates its destruction on account of five. And its said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:29

And he spoke unto him yet again —literally, and he added yet to speak to him (cf. Genesis 4:2 ; Genesis 8:10 , Genesis 8:12 ; Genesis 25:1 ) and said (increasing in his boldness as God abounded in his grace), Peradventure there shall be forty found there. Does Abraham hesitate to add the query, "Wilt thou also?" &c; as if fearing he had at last touched the limit of the Divine condescension. If so, he must have been surprised by the continued gracious response which his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:30

And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord he angry ,—literally, let there not be burning with anger to the Lord ( Adonai )— and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. read more

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