Genesis 18:26

26 The Lord said, "If I find fifty good people in the city of Sodom, I will save the whole city because of them."

Genesis 18:26 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 18:26

If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city
Sodom is particularly mentioned because Lot dwelt there, and being the metropolis, and the city of greatest note, as Jarchi observes, it is put for the rest; and the sense is, if fifty righteous persons could be found in all the five cities, mercy should be shown them: then will I spare all the place for their sakes;
not Sodom only, but the whole country, of which Sodom was the chief; the Lord takes up and agrees to the number Abraham pitched upon, and grants the request he makes.

Genesis 18:26 In-Context

24 What if there are fifty good people in that city? Will you still destroy it? Surely you will save the city for the fifty good people living there.
25 Surely you will not destroy the good people along with the evil ones; then they would be treated the same. You are the judge of all the earth. Won't you do what is right?"
26 The Lord said, "If I find fifty good people in the city of Sodom, I will save the whole city because of them."
27 Then Abraham said, "Though I am only dust and ashes, I have been brave to speak to the Lord.
28 What if there are only forty-five good people in the city? Will you destroy the whole city for the lack of five good people?" The Lord said, "If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy the city."
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.