Genesis 18:29

29 Once again Abraham spoke, "What if forty are there?" The LORD said, "For the sake of forty, I will do nothing."

Genesis 18:29 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 18:29

And he spake [unto him] yet again, and said
Being encouraged by such a gracious answer: Peradventure there shall be forty found there;
forty righteous persons; and, from preceding passages, it must be supplied,

``wilt thou destroy and not spare the place for their sakes?''

and he said, I will not do [it] for forty's sake;
but spare them for their sake.

Genesis 18:29 In-Context

27 Abraham responded, "Since I've already decided to speak with my Lord, even though I'm just soil and ash,

28 what if there are five fewer innocent people than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city over just five?" The LORD said, "If I find forty-five there, I won't destroy it."

29 Once again Abraham spoke, "What if forty are there?" The LORD said, "For the sake of forty, I will do nothing."

30 He said, "Don't be angry with me, my Lord, but let me speak. What if thirty are there?" The LORD said, "I won't do it if I find thirty there."

31 Abraham said, "Since I've already decided to speak with my Lord, what if twenty are there?" The LORD said, "I won't do it, for the sake of twenty."