Genesis 18

Two angels and the Lord himself appear unto Abraham in the shape of three men whom he friendly invites and entertains verse 1 receives a promise of a son by Sarah the next year 10 Sarah laughs at it and is reproved 12 the two angels go on to Sodom but the Lord stays speaking with Abraham to whom he declares his purpose of destroying Sodom and Gomorra &c. 16 Abraham intercedes fervently for those of Sodom and God answers and satisfies him. 23.

1. After that the Lord appeared unto him [viz. to Abraham] at the oak bushes or grove of Mamre [see chapter 13 on verse 18 here Abraham had chosen him out of his habitation after that Lot was departed from him chapter 13 verse 18] as he sate in the door of his tent when the day grew hot.

2. And he lifted his eyes and he saw and behold there stood three men over against him [viz. there in the shape of men and men in Abrahams apprehension but indeed two angels and third the Lord indeed himself who for the time of employment appeared with human bodies wherewith they did walk sit down discourse and eat see Hebrews 13:2 that the one of them was the Lord God is plain out of the first verse and by the sequel of his story] when he saw them he ran to meet them from the door of his tent and bowed himself to the ground [viz. to exhibit them civil honor and respect so chapter 23.7,12 1Samuel 25.24 2 Samuel 14:2 1 Kings 1:23 Esther 3:2.]

3. And he said my Lord [others my lords] have I now found grace [that is if thou count me of worthy of so much favor honor and friendship to find grace with men is to get their favor affection and friendship see chapter 32.5 & 34.11 & 39.4 &c.] in thy eyes [Abraham addresseth his speech to one of them that had the best presence whom afterwards he found to be the Lord] then I pray do not pass by from thy servant.

4. That yet a little water might be brought [Heb. Taken see chapter 12.9, 10.]and wash your feet [according to the custom of those countries to cleanse and refresh the same being that by reason of heat they used there to go with soles and fastened to their feet or barefoot altogether see chapter 19.2 & 24.31,43.24 & John 13:4,5] and lean under this tree [that is rest yourselves there.]

5. And I will fetch a bit of bread [the Hebrews call all manner of meat bread 1Samuel 14.24 Matthew 6:11 & 15.2 Luke 14:11,15 compare chapter 3.19] that ye may strengthen your heart [see of this manner of speaking Jude 19.58 psalms 104.15 1 Kings 13:7 to strengthen is here to refresh and nourish which is effect of bread Psalms 104:15 not of itself but through the blessing of God Deuteronomy 8:3 Matthew 4:4] then ye shall go forth therefore because ye are come over to your servant [others for therefore are ye &c. not that he thought they had come of purpose to him but that God had led them thitherward by his prudence see chapter 33.verse 10] they said d as thou hath spoken.

6. And Abraham hasted to the tent to Sarah and he said hast thee need three measures [Heb. Seim which was a certain measure for wares holding as much as 144 hen egg shells the third part of an Epha of which measure see likewise Exodus 16 on verse 36] of flour and make cake [Heb. Word doth signify such cakes as are on an hot heart under or upon hot cumbers see Exodus 12:39 Numbers 11:8 1 Kings 17:3 & 19.6.]

7. And Abraham ran to the beeves and he took a calf [Heb. A bus son that is a calf or young buck] tender and good and he gave it to the servant who hasted to make it ready.

8. And he took butter and milk and the calf which he had made ready and he set it before them [Heb. before their face] and stood by them [to wait upon and serve them] under that tree and they did eat. [See verse 2.]

9. Then they said unto him where Sarah is thy wife? [not as if they knew it not but take occasion thereby to come upon the following discourse] and he said behold in the tent [Abraham pointed at his wives tent as appears by the next verse for the father of the family and the mother of the family had each of them their tent apart chapter 23.2 and 24.67 and 31.33.]

10. And he said [the Lord namely] I shall assuredly return unto thee [Heb I shall returning return this return must not be understood by just another apparition as this was but of the fulfilling of this promise called a visitation chapter 2.11] about this time of life [that is the next year about this time of the men’s living another when this time of men’s living see the same phrase likewise verse 14 and 2Kings 4.16] and behold Sarah thy wife shall have a soon and Sarah heard it at the door of the tent which was behind him [either behind him that spake or behind Abraham as he stood there .]

11. Now Abraham and Sarah were do full of days we be-dayed [Heb going in days the like phrase ye have chapter 241 Joshua 13:1 and 23.1 1 Kings 1:1 Luke 17, 18] it had ceased to go [Heb. to be] with Sarah after the manner of women [or custom Heb. the way going or path thus the way is put by the Hebrews for custom use manner see also chapter 19.31 and 31.35.]

12. So Sarah laughed [not out of faith as Abraham had done before but out of weakness and difference looking more upon nature then upon the power of God] by herself [Heb. Her midst] saying shall I have pleasure after that I am grown old and my Lord is old?

13. And the Lord said to Abraham [observe that he which hitherto was a spokesman and called before verse 9 is here called Jehovah the LORD] why did Sarah laugh saying should I indeed bear now I am grown old?

14. Should there be ought wonderful for the Lord? [viz. to compass or perform having past his promise once others should there be anything hid before the Lord viz. that he should not know it] at the set time I shall return unto thee about this time of life [so verse 10] and Sarah shall bear a son.

15. And Sarah denied it saying I have not laughed for she was afraid [by reason of her discovered sin against God shame before the guests and ungratefulness towards her husband] and he said no thou hast laughed.

16. Then the men arose from thence and looked towards Sodom and Abraham went with them for to conduct them [by way of civility see the like readiness Acts 20:38 and 21.5 Romans 15:4 and 1Corinthians 16.11 Titus 3:13.]

17. And the Lord said shall I hide before Abraham what do I do? [That is sure I shall not hide it before him see the like asking implying a strong negative 2 Samuel 7:5 compared with 1 Chronicles 17:4 and Matthew 7:16 compared with Luke 6:44 see likewise Amos 3:7.]

18. Because that Abraham shall certainly become [Heb. shall being be] a great and mighty people, and all nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? [That is in the seed Jesus Christ see chapter 12.3 and 22.18.]

19. For I have known him [that is I have chosen affected and tendered him as my own thus the word knowing is taken in divers places as Psalms 1:6 Jeremiah 1:5 and 24.5 Hosea 13:5 Amos 3:2 John 10:27 2Timothy 2.19] that [thus the Hebrew particles used here are taken Leviticus 17:5 Deuteronomy 20:18 and 27.3 &c.] he should command his children and his house after him and they keep the way of the Lord [that is the pattern of Gods word instructing us in all things concerning our faith and conversation see Psalms 51 verse 15 &c.] for to d righteousness and judgment [a phrase frequently occurring in holy scripture signifying whatsoever is good and right and comprehended in the first and second table of the law and appertaining to the private or public life of man compare Psalms 119:121] that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken over him.

20. Further said the Lord because the cry of the Sodom and Gomorra is great [see chapter 4 on verse 10] and because their sin is very heavy or grievous.

21. I will descend now [see chapter 11 on verse 5] and view whether [God knows all things most perfectly of himself but he speaks hereafter the manner of men as one that hath no mind to punish without enquiring and full knowledge of the fact and matter] according to her cry, [viz. Sodom or according to the cry of him that &c.] that is come to me they have done the utmost [Heb. Done or made the accomplishing that is fulfilled or filled up the measure of their sins see chapter 15.17 and 1Samuel 20.7 ,9 other whether they deserved the utmost destruction by their works] as if not I shall know it .

22. Then those men [understand the two angels, see chapter 19. 1. For the Lord stayed, speaking with Abraham] turned their face from thence, and went to Sodom. But Abraham he remained standing yet before the face of the Lord.

23. And Abraham slept on and said wilt thou destroy likewise the righteous with the wicked?

24. Peradventure there are 50 righteous in the city wilt thou likewise destroy them and not spare the place the place for the sake of the 50 righteous that are within her?

25. For be it from thee to do such a thing [Heb. Be it far from thee to do after this thing here it appears that Abraham had no mind at all by the preceding queries to suspect God of righteousness for he takes not upon him to mind God of his office and to shew him what he ought to do otherwise but right] to kill the righteous with the wicked that the righteous should be like the wicked far be it from thee should the judge of earth do no right? [Here Abraham acknowledge the person speaking with him for the judge of the world which is the Lord Jesus Christ John 5:22, 27Acts 10.42 and 17.31.]

26. Then the Lord said if at Sodom within the city I shall find the fifty righteous then I will spare the entire place for their sake.

27. And Abraham answered and said behold yet I have presumed to speak to the Lord though I am dust and ashes [viz. according to the body in regard of my beginning and ending in this world see chapter 3.19 Job 4:19 Ecclesiastes 12:7 1Corinthians 15.47 ,48 and 2 Corinthians 5:1.]

28. Peradventure the fifty shall want five shalt thou five then destroy the whole city? And he said I will not destroy her if I shall find forty five there.

29. And he continued to speak to him and said peradventure shall forty be found there [viz. forty righteous person and so in the next verse] and he said I will not do it for the forty sake.

30. Further said he let the Lord not incensed I pray [Heb. That it not incense the Lord his wrath namely see chapter 4.5,6 and verse 31 and 32.36] that I speak peradventure shall thirty be found there and he said I will not do it if I find thirty there.

31. And he said behold yet I have presumed to speak to the Lord peradventure shall twenty be found there and he said I will not destroy her for the twenty’s sake.

32. Yet adhuc said be let not the Lord be incensed I pray that I speak only this time peradventure shall there found ten and he said I will not destroy them for the ten sake.

33. Then the Lord departed having finished speaking with Abraham and Abraham returned to his place.