Genesis 18:20-25

20 And the LORD said, "¹The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.

21 "I will ²go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know."

22 Then ³the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before ⁴the LORD.

23 Abraham came near and said, "⁵Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

24 "Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?

25 "Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not ⁶the Judge of all the earth deal justly?"

Genesis 18:20-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 18

Another appearance of God to Abraham is here recorded; three persons are seen by him in an human form, whom he kindly invites to stop with him, and generously entertains them, Ge 18:1-8; they inquire concerning Sarah his wife, and one of them renews the promise of her bearing a son to him, which occasions laughter in her, for which she is reproved, Ge 18:9-15; upon their departure the Lord thought fit, for reasons given, to make known to Abraham his intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Ge 18:16-22; when Abraham intercedes for the preservation of those cities in a most importunate and affectionate manner, Ge 18:23-33.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 19:13; Ezekiel 16:49, 50
• 2. Genesis 11:5; Exodus 3:8; Psalms 14:2
• 3. Genesis 18:16; Genesis 19:1
• 4. Genesis 18:1, 17
• 5. Exodus 23:7; Numbers 16:22; 2 Samuel 24:17; Psalms 11:4-7
• 6. Deuteronomy 1:16, 17; Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 8:3, 20; Psalms 58:11; Psalms 94:2; Isaiah 3:10, 11; Romans 3:5, 6

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "forgive"
• [b]. Lit "after this manner"
• [c]. Lit "do justice"