Thematic Bible




Genesis 18:1 (show verse)

Then the Lord appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre while he was sitting in the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day.

Genesis 18:2 (show verse)

He looked up, and he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them and bowed to the ground.

Genesis 18:3 (show verse)

Then he said, “My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, please do not go on past your servant.

Genesis 18:4 (show verse)

Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree.

Genesis 18:5 (show verse)

I will bring a bit of bread so that you may strengthen yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. Later, you can continue on.”

“Yes,” they replied, “do as you have said.”

Genesis 18:6 (show verse)

So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Knead three measures of fine flour and make bread.”

Genesis 18:7 (show verse)

Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd and got a tender, choice calf. He gave it to a young man, who hurried to prepare it.

Genesis 18:8 (show verse)

Then Abraham took curds and milk, and the calf that he had prepared, and set them before the men. He served them as they ate under the tree.

Genesis 18:9 (show verse)

“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

“There, in the tent,” he answered.

Genesis 18:10 (show verse)

The Lord said, “I will certainly come back to you in about a year’s time, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him.

Genesis 18:11 (show verse)

Abraham and Sarah were old and getting on in years. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.

Genesis 18:12 (show verse)

So she laughed to herself: “After I have become shriveled up and my lord is old, will I have delight?”

Genesis 18:13 (show verse)

But the Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Can I really have a baby when I’m old?’

Genesis 18:14 (show verse)

Is anything impossible for the Lord? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.”

Genesis 18:15 (show verse)

Sarah denied it. “I did not laugh,” she said, because she was afraid.

But He replied, “No, you did laugh.”

Genesis 18:16 (show verse)

The men got up from there and looked out over Sodom, and Abraham was walking with them to see them off.

Genesis 18:17 (show verse)

Then the Lord said, “Should I hide what I am about to do from Abraham?

Genesis 18:18 (show verse)

Abraham is to become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him.

Genesis 18:19 (show verse)

For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. This is how the Lord will fulfill to Abraham what He promised him.”

Genesis 18:20 (show verse)

Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense, and their sin is extremely serious.

Genesis 18:21 (show verse)

I will go down to see if what they have done justifies the cry that has come up to Me. If not, I will find out.”

Genesis 18:22 (show verse)

The men turned from there and went toward Sodom while Abraham remained standing before the Lord.

Genesis 18:23 (show verse)

Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

Genesis 18:24 (show verse)

What if there are 50 righteous people in the city? Will You really sweep it away instead of sparing the place for the sake of the 50 righteous people who are in it?

Genesis 18:25 (show verse)

You could not possibly do such a thing: to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. You could not possibly do that! Won’t the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”
Abraham » Called the father of the faithful, characteristics of » Mighty in prayer
Abraham » His questions about the destruction of the righteous and wicked in sodom
Ask » Prayer
Boldness » Instances of, in prayer » Abraham
holy Boldness » Exemplified » Abraham
Christ » Devotions of » Select readings
Christ » Power of » Prayers of
Church » For other leaders » Prayer for
Condescension of God » Indulges abraham's intercession for sodom
Curiosity » Instances of » Of abraham, to know whether God would destroy the righteous people who lived in sodom
Destruction » Who shall not be destroyed
Family » Parental prayers » Prayer
God » Impartiality of » Judge, at the great day
Importunity » Select readings
intercession » Additional instances of » Abraham » In behalf of sodom
Judge » God as
God, Justice of » Exhibited in » His judgments
Names » Of God the father » Judge
Prayer » Select readings
Prayer » Answered » Abraham entreating » For sodom
Prayer » Exemplified by abraham in his inquiry concerning sodom
Intercessory prayer » Exemplified » Abraham
Presumption » Instances of » Abraham, in questioning about sodom
Privileges of saints » Interceding for others
Religion » Instances of outstanding religious persons » Abraham
Righteousness » Saints » Characterized by
Secret prayer » Examples of secret prayer » Private devotions of Christ
Sodom » Abraham's intercession for
the future » The judge, at the great day » God as
United prayer » Select readings
Unwise prayers » Select readings
The wicked » Guilt of » Prayers of, unanswered

Genesis 18:26 (show verse)

The Lord said, “If I find 50 righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

Genesis 18:27 (show verse)

Then Abraham answered, “Since I have ventured to speak to the Lord—even though I am dust and ashes—

Genesis 18:28 (show verse)

suppose the 50 righteous lack five. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”

He replied, “I will not destroy it if I find 45 there.”

Genesis 18:29 (show verse)

Then he spoke to Him again, “Suppose 40 are found there?”

He answered, “I will not do it on account of 40.”

Genesis 18:30 (show verse)

Then he said, “Let the Lord not be angry, and I will speak further. Suppose 30 are found there?”

He answered, “I will not do it if I find 30 there.”

Genesis 18:31 (show verse)

Then he said, “Since I have ventured to speak to the Lord, suppose 20 are found there?”

He replied, “I will not destroy it on account of 20.”

Genesis 18:32 (show verse)

Then he said, “Let the Lord not be angry, and I will speak one more time. Suppose 10 are found there?”

He answered, “I will not destroy it on account of 10.”
Abraham » Called the father of the faithful, characteristics of » Mighty in prayer
Abraham » His questions about the destruction of the righteous and wicked in sodom
Ask » Prayer
Boldness » Instances of, in prayer » Abraham
holy Boldness » Exemplified » Abraham
Christ » Devotions of » Select readings
Christ » Power of » Prayers of
Church » For other leaders » Prayer for
Condescension of God » Indulges abraham's intercession for sodom
Curiosity » Instances of » Of abraham, to know whether God would destroy the righteous people who lived in sodom
Destruction » Who shall not be destroyed
Family » Parental prayers » Prayer
Forbearance » Divine
God » Pillar of » Forbearance of
Importunity » Select readings
Importunity » Importunity, examples of » Abraham
intercession » Additional instances of » Abraham » In behalf of sodom
Prayer » Select readings
Prayer » Brevity in prayer examples of brief prayers » Special pleas offered in
Prayer » Importunity, examples of » Abraham
Prayer » Answered » Abraham entreating » For sodom
Prayer » Exemplified by abraham in his inquiry concerning sodom
Intercessory prayer » Exemplified » Abraham
Presumption » Instances of » Abraham, in questioning about sodom
Privileges of saints » Interceding for others
Religion » Instances of outstanding religious persons » Abraham
Secret prayer » Examples of secret prayer » Private devotions of Christ
Sodom » Abraham's intercession for
United prayer » Select readings
Unwise prayers » Select readings
The wicked » Guilt of » Prayers of, unanswered

Genesis 18:33 (show verse)

When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, He departed, and Abraham returned to his place.