Genesis 18:29

29 He spoke to him yet again: "What if forty are found there?" He said, "For the sake of the forty I won't do it."

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 Avraham answered, "Here now, I, who am but dust and ashes, have taken it upon myself to speak to Adonai.

28 What if there are five less than fifty righteous?"He said, "I won't destroy it if I find forty-five there."

29 He spoke to him yet again: "What if forty are found there?" He said, "For the sake of the forty I won't do it."

30 He said, "I hope Adonai won't be angry if I speak. What if thirty are found there?" He said, "I won't do it if I find thirty there."

31 He said, "Here now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to Adonai. What if twenty are found there?" He said, "For the sake of the twenty I won't destroy it."