Genesis 18:31

31 He pushed on, "I know I'm trying your patience, Master, but how about for twenty?" "I won't destroy it for twenty."

Genesis 18:31 Meaning and 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.

Genesis 18:31 In-Context

29 Abraham spoke up again, "What if you only find forty?" "Neither will I destroy it if for forty."
30 He said, "Master, don't be irritated with me, but what if only thirty are found?" "No, I won't do it if I find thirty."
31 He pushed on, "I know I'm trying your patience, Master, but how about for twenty?" "I won't destroy it for twenty."
32 He wouldn't quit, "Don't get angry, Master - this is the last time. What if you only come up with ten?" "For the sake of only ten, I won't destroy the city."
33 When God finished talking with Abraham, he left. And Abraham went home.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.