Genesis 18:1-8

Birth of Isaac Promised

1 Now ¹the LORD appeared to him by the ²oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.

2 When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three ³men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth,

3 and said, "My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass your servant by.

4 "Please let a little water be brought and ⁴wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree;

5 and I will ⁵bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since * * you have visited your servant." And they said, "So do, as you have said."

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour *, knead it and make bread cakes."

7 Abraham also ran to the herd, and took a tender and choice calf * and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it.

8 He took curds and milk and the calf * which he had prepared, and placed it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree as they ate.

Genesis 18:1-8 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 12:7; Genesis 17:1
• 2. Genesis 13:18; Genesis 14:13
• 3. Genesis 18:16, 22; Genesis 32:24; Joshua 5:13; Judges 13:6-11; Hebrews 13:2
• 4. Genesis 19:2; Genesis 24:32; Genesis 43:24
• 5. Judges 6:18, 19; Judges 13:15, 16

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "terebinths"
• [b]. Or "O Lord"
• [c]. Lit "pass away from Your servant"
• [d]. Lit "support"
• [e]. Lit "take"
• [f]. Lit "sustain your heart"
• [g]. Lit "come to"
• [h]. Lit "Hasten three measures"
• [i]. Heb "seah;" i.e. one seah equals approx eleven qts
• [j]. Lit "good"
• [k]. Lit "and"