Genesis 18:26

26 The Lord answered, "If I find fifty innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the whole city for their sake."

Genesis 18:26 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 18:26

If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city
Sodom is particularly mentioned because Lot dwelt there, and being the metropolis, and the city of greatest note, as Jarchi observes, it is put for the rest; and the sense is, if fifty righteous persons could be found in all the five cities, mercy should be shown them: then will I spare all the place for their sakes;
not Sodom only, but the whole country, of which Sodom was the chief; the Lord takes up and agrees to the number Abraham pitched upon, and grants the request he makes.

Genesis 18:26 In-Context

24 If there are fifty innocent people in the city, will you destroy the whole city? Won't you spare it in order to save the fifty?

25 Surely you won't kill the innocent with the guilty. That's impossible! You can't do that. If you did, the innocent would be punished along with the guilty. That is impossible. The judge of all the earth has to act justly."

26 The Lord answered, "If I find fifty innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the whole city for their sake."

27 Abraham spoke again: "Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. I am only a man and have no right to say anything.

28 But perhaps there will be only forty-five innocent people instead of fifty. Will you destroy the whole city because there are five too few?" The Lord answered, "I will not destroy the city if I find forty-five innocent people."