Genesis 18 Footnotes

18:23-32 The negotiation between the Lord and Abraham does not imply that humans are able to manipulate God in order to change his mind. Rather, it demonstrates God’s desire to be merciful, contrasted with humanity’s wickedness and addiction to evil. God is willing to forego judgment, as evidenced by his relenting after the repentance of the people of Nineveh in response to Jonah’s preaching (Jnh 3:10). However, unlike Nineveh, not even the minimal number of ten righteous people could be found in Sodom (Gn 18:32; 19:12-13). A broader issue here is the meaning of “righteous.” The preceding account of Abraham’s life emphasizes that the basis of his righteousness was his faith in God’s promises (15:6). Thus, people who trust God are called righteous.