Genesis 18:3

3 And he said, "My lord, if I have found favor in your eyes do not pass by your servant.

Genesis 18:3 Meaning and 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 servant;
they might seem, by some motion they made, as if they were going another way, and declined turning in to him.

Genesis 18:3 In-Context

1 And Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre. And he was sitting in the doorway of the tent at the heat of the day.

2 And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, three men were standing near him. And he saw [them] and ran from the doorway of the tent to meet them. And he bowed down to the ground.

3 And he said, "My lord, if I have found favor in your eyes do not pass by your servant.

4 Let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest under the tree.

5 And let me bring a piece of bread, then refresh {yourselves}. Afterward you can pass on, {once} you have passed by with your servant." Then they said, "Do so as you have said."