About the Book
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Chapter Analysis
Chapter 18: The Three Visitors
Background History and Timeline: Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, was written around the 15th century BCE. It covers events from the creation of the world to the patriarchs of Israel.
Locations Mentioned: The chapter primarily focuses on the region of Mamre, where Abraham resides.
Themes and Conflicts: Genesis 18 narrates the visitation of three angelic beings to Abraham and Sarah, announcing the birth of Isaac and the judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah. It explores themes of hospitality, faith, and divine judgment.
Main Characters: Abraham, Sarah, and the three visitors (angels) are the main characters in this chapter.
Specific Passages:
Genesis 18:10: "The Lord said, 'I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.' And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him."
Genesis 18:20-21: "Then the Lord said, 'Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.'"
Explanation: Genesis 18 describes how three visitors, representing the Lord, visit Abraham and Sarah at the Oaks of Mamre. They announce that Sarah will bear a son, despite her old age. The visitors also reveal the impending judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah due to their great wickedness.
The chapter highlights Abraham's hospitality and intercession on behalf of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as God's justice and mercy. It emphasizes the power of God to fulfill His promises, even in seemingly impossible circumstances.
Genesis 18 deepens the narrative of God's covenant with Abraham and Sarah, demonstrating His faithfulness and their faith in His promises. It also foreshadows the future events involving the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Moses is traditionally attributed as the author of Genesis, including Chapter 18.
Religious Text
Gen 18:1 And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. Gen 18:2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth Gen 18:3 and said, "O Lord, if | have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Gen 18:4 Leta little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, Gen 18:5 while | bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on- since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." Gen 18:6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes." Gen 18:7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Gen 18:8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate. Gen 18:9 They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent.” Gen 18:10 The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Gen 18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. Gen 18:12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After | am worn out, and my lord is old, shall | have pleasure?" Gen 18:13 The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall | indeed bear a child, now that | am old?’ Gen 18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time | will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son." Gen 18:15 But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He said, "No, but you did laugh." Gen 18:16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. Gen 18:17 The LORD said, "Shall | hide from Abraham what | am about to do, Gen 18:18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? Gen 18:19 For | have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." Gen 18:20 Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, Gen 18:21 | will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, | will know." Gen 18:22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Gen 18:23 Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Gen 18:24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Gen 18:25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" Gen 18:26 And the LORD said, "If | find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, | will spare the whole place for their sake." Gen 18:27 Abraham answered and said, "Behold, | have undertaken to speak to the Lord, | who am but dust and ashes. Gen 18:28 Suppose five of the fifty righ teous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if | find forty-five there." Gen 18:29 Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty | will not do it." Gen 18:30 Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and | will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if | find thirty there." Gen 18:31 He said, "Behold, | have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty | will not destroy it." Gen 18:32 Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and | will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten | will not destroy it." Gen 18:33 And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.