Genesis 18:1-9

1 And the LORD appeared unto him among the terebinth trees of Mamre; and he was sitting in the door of his tent in the heat of the day;

2 and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, three men stood by him; and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door and bowed himself toward the ground

3 and said, My Lord, if now I have found grace in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy slave.

4 Let a little water, I pray you, be brought and wash your feet and rest yourselves under a tree;

5 and I will bring a morsel of bread and comfort your hearts; after that ye shall pass on because for this ye are come to your slave. And they said, So do as thou hast said.

6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make bread baked under the ashes.

7 And Abraham ran unto the herd and brought a calf tender and good and gave it unto a young man; and he hastened to dress it.

8 And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had dressed and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they ate.

9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Here, in the tent.

Genesis 18:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 18

Another appearance of God to Abraham is here recorded; three persons are seen by him in an human form, whom he kindly invites to stop with him, and generously entertains them, Ge 18:1-8; they inquire concerning Sarah his wife, and one of them renews the promise of her bearing a son to him, which occasions laughter in her, for which she is reproved, Ge 18:9-15; upon their departure the Lord thought fit, for reasons given, to make known to Abraham his intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Ge 18:16-22; when Abraham intercedes for the preservation of those cities in a most importunate and affectionate manner, Ge 18:23-33.