Genesis 18:26

26 Yahweh said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place 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 What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are therein?
25 Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn't the Judge of all the earth do right?"
26 Yahweh said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake."
27 Abraham answered, "See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, who am but dust and ashes.
28 What if there will lack five of the fifty righteous? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?" He said, "I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there."
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