Genesis 18:29

29 Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there. ” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not 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 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.

28 Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five? ” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there. ”

29 Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there. ” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it. ”

30 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there. ” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there. ”

31 He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there. ” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it. ”