Genesi 18:3 Commento

We have an account in this chapter of another interview between God and Abraham, probably within a few days after the former, as the reward of his cheerful obedience to the law of circumcision. Here is, I. The kind visit which God made him, and the kind entertainment which he gave to that visit (Gen 18:1-8). II. The matters discoursed of between them. 1. The purposes of God's love concerning Sarah (Gen 18:9-15). 2. The purposes of God's wrath concerning Sodom. (1.) The discovery God made to Abraham of his design to destroy Sodom (Gen 18:16-22). (2.) The intercession Abraham made for Sodom (Gen 18:23, etc.).

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, Gen 18:1; 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, Gen 18:9; upon their departure the Lord thought fit, for reasons given, to make known to Abraham his intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Gen 18:16; when Abraham intercedes for the preservation of those cities in a most importunate and affectionate manner, Gen 18:23.

And said, my Lord,.... He addressed himself to one of them who appeared to him to be the greatest and most honourable, either by the appearance of his countenance, or by his dress, or by the situation in which he was between the other two, and by their carriage and behaviour to him: if now I have found favour in thy sight; signifying he should esteem it an honour done him, that he and his companions would vouchsafe to stop and refresh themselves: pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant; they might seem, by some motion they made, as if they were going another way, and declined turning in to him.

The Lord appears unto Abraham in Mamre, Gen 18:1. Three angels, in human appearance, come towards his tent, Gen 18:2. He invites them in to wash and refresh themselves, Gen 18:3-5; prepares a calf, bread, butter, and milk, for their entertainment; and himself serves them, Gen 18:6-8. They promise that within a year Sarah shall have a son, Gen 18:9, Gen 18:10. Sarah, knowing herself and husband to be superannuated, smiles at the promise, Gen 18:11, Gen 18:12. One of the three, who is called the Lord or Jehovah, chides her, and asserts the sufficiency of the Divine power to accomplish the promise, Gen 18:13, Gen 18:14. Sarah, through fear, denies that she had laughed or showed signs of unbelief, Gen 18:15. Abraham accompanies these Divine persons on their way to Sodom, Gen 18:16; and that one who is called Jehovah informs him of his purpose to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, because of their great wickedness, Gen 18:17-21. The two former proceed toward Sodom, while the latter (Jehovah) remains with Abraham, Gen 18:22. Abraham intercedes for the inhabitants of those cities, entreating the Lord to spare them provided fifty righteous persons should be found in them, Gen 18:23-25. The Lord grants this request, Gen 18:26. He pleads for the same mercy should only forty-five be found there; which is also granted, Gen 18:27, Gen 18:28. He pleads the same for forty, which is also granted, Gen 18:29; for thirty, with the same success, Gen 18:30; for twenty, and receives the some gracious answer, Gen 18:31; for ten, and the Lord assures him that should ten righteous persons be found there, he will not destroy the place, Gen 18:32. Jehovah then departs, and Abraham returns to his tent, Gen 18:33.

And said, My Lord, etc. - The word is אדני Adonai, not יהוה Yehovah, for as yet Abraham did not know the quality of his guests. For an explanation of this word, See note on Gen 15:8.

ENTERTAINMENT OF ANGELS. (Gen 18:1-8) the Lord appeared--another manifestation of the divine presence, more familiar than any yet narrated; and more like that in the fulness of time, when the Word was made flesh. plains of Mamre--rather, terebinth or oak of Mamre; a tall-spreading tree or grove of trees. sat in the tent door--The tent itself being too close and sultry at noon, the shaded open front is usually resorted to for the air that may be stirring.

My Lord, if now I have found favor--The hospitalities offered are just of the kind that are necessary and most grateful, the refreshment of water, for feet exposed to dust and heat by the sandals, being still the first observed among the pastoral people of Hebron.