Genesis 18:31

Listen to Genesis 18:31
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. ”

Genesis 18:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 18:31

And he said, behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto
the Lord (See Gill on Genesis 18:27):

Peradventure there shall be twenty found there;
wouldest thou destroy it, such a number being in it; or, wouldest thou spare it for their sakes?

and he said, I will not destroy [it] for twenty's sake;
if there were no more in it, I would spare it for their sake.

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Genesis 18:31 In-Context

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. ”
32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there. ” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it. ”
33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025