Thematic Bible




Genesis 18:1 (show verse)

Later, the LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks belonging to Mamre. As Abraham was sitting near the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day,

Genesis 18:2 (show verse)

he glanced up and saw three men standing there, not far from him. As soon as he noticed them, Abraham ran from the tent entrance to greet them and bowed low to the ground.

Genesis 18:3 (show verse)

"My lords," he told them, "if I have found favor with you, please don't leave your servant.

Genesis 18:4 (show verse)

I'll have some water brought to wash your feet while you rest under the tree.

Genesis 18:5 (show verse)

I'll bring some food for you, and after that you may continue your journey, since you have come to visit your servant." So they replied, "Okay! Do what you've proposed."

Genesis 18:6 (show verse)

Abraham hurried into the tent and told Sarah, "Quick! Take three measures of the best flour, knead it, and make some flat bread."

Genesis 18:7 (show verse)

Next, Abraham ran to the herd, found a choice and tender calf, and gave it to the young men, who went off in a hurry to prepare it.

Genesis 18:8 (show verse)

Then he took curds, milk, and the calf that had been prepared, placed the food in front of them, and stood near them under the tree while they ate.

Genesis 18:9 (show verse)

The men asked him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" "There, in the tent," he replied.

Genesis 18:10 (show verse)

Then one of them said, "I will certainly return to you in about a year's time. By then, your wife Sarah will have borne a son."

Genesis 18:11 (show verse)

Now Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Abraham and Sarah were old really old and Sarah was beyond the age of childbearing.

Genesis 18:12 (show verse)

That's why Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "After I'm so old and my husband is old, too, am I going to have sex?"

Genesis 18:13 (show verse)

The LORD asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and think, "Am I really going to bear a child, since I'm so old?'

Genesis 18:14 (show verse)

Is anything impossible for the LORD? At the time set for it, I will return to you about a year from now and Sarah will have a son."

Genesis 18:15 (show verse)

But Sarah denied it. "I didn't laugh," she claimed, because she was afraid. The LORD replied, "No! You did laugh!"

Genesis 18:16 (show verse)

After this, the men set out from there and looked out over Sodom. Abraham went with them to send them off.

Genesis 18:17 (show verse)

"Should I hide from Abraham what I'm about to do," the LORD asked,

Genesis 18:18 (show verse)

"since Abraham's descendants will become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him?

Genesis 18:19 (show verse)

Indeed, I've made myself known to him in order that he may encourage his sons and his household that is born after him to keep the way of the LORD, and to do what is right and just, so that the LORD may bring about for Abraham what he has promised."

Genesis 18:20 (show verse)

The LORD also said, "How great is the disapproval of Sodom and Gomorrah! Their sin is so very serious!

Genesis 18:21 (show verse)

I'm going down to see whether they've acted according to the protests that have reached me. If not, I wish to know."

Genesis 18:22 (show verse)

Then two of the men turned away from there and walked toward Sodom, while Abraham remained standing in the presence of the LORD.

Genesis 18:23 (show verse)

Abraham approached and asked, "Will you actually destroy the righteous along with the wicked?

Genesis 18:24 (show verse)

Perhaps there are 50 righteous ones within the city. Will you actually destroy it and not forgive the place for the sake of the 50 righteous that are found there?

Genesis 18:25 (show verse)

Far be it from you to do such a thing to kill the righteous along with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike! The Judge of all the earth will do what is right, won't he?"
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 within Sodom, I'll forgive the whole place for their sake."

Genesis 18:27 (show verse)

Abraham answered, "Look, even though I am only dust and ashes, I've ventured to speak to my LORD.

Genesis 18:28 (show verse)

What if there are five less than 50 righteous ones? Will you bring destruction upon the city because of those five?" The LORD said, "I won't destroy it if I find 45 there."

Genesis 18:29 (show verse)

Abraham continued to speak to him, asking, "What if 40 are found there?" The LORD replied, "I won't do it for the sake of those 40."

Genesis 18:30 (show verse)

Abraham then asked, "I hope my LORD will not be angry if I speak. What if 30 are found there?" The LORD answered, "I won't do it for the sake of those 30."

Genesis 18:31 (show verse)

"Look," Abraham said, "I've presumed to speak to my LORD" so what if 20 are found there?" "For the sake of those 20," the LORD responded, "I won't destroy it."

Genesis 18:32 (show verse)

Finally, Abraham inquired, "I hope my LORD will not be angry if I speak only once more. What if ten are found there?" He replied, "For the sake of those ten I won't destroy it."
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)

As soon as he finished talking to Abraham, the LORD left and Abraham returned to where he had been sitting.