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Genesis 18:28 suppose the fifty righteous ones lack five. Will You destroy the whole city for the lack of five?" He replied, "If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it."

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Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?&#8221 &#8220If I find forty-five there,&#8221 he said, &#8220I will not destroy it.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?&#8221; And the LORD said, &#8220;I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?&#8221; And he said, &#8220;I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />suppose the fifty righteous ones lack five. Will You destroy the whole city for the lack of five?&#8221; He replied, &#8220;If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for <i>lack of</i> five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy <i>it</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for <i>lack of</i> five?&#8221; So He said, &#8220;If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy <i>it.</i>&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the entire city because of five?&#8221; And He said, &#8220;I will not destroy <i>it</i> if I find forty-five there.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?&#8221 And He said, &#8220I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />&#8220;Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, wilt Thou destroy the whole city because of five?&#8221; And He said, &#8220;I will not destroy <i>it</i> if I find forty-five there.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?&#8221; And He said, &#8220;I will not destroy <i>it</i> if I find forty-five there.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If five of the fifty righteous are lacking, will You destroy the entire city for lack of five?&#8221; And He said, &#8220;If I find [at least] forty-five [righteous people] there, I will not destroy it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />suppose the fifty righteous lack five. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five? &#8221; He replied, &#8220;I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />suppose the 50 righteous lack five. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?&#8221 He replied, &#8220I will not destroy it if I find 45 there.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But suppose there are only 45 good people in Sodom. Would you still wipe out the whole city?" "If I find 45 good people," the LORD replied, "I won't destroy the city." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/18.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />what if there are 45 innocent people? Will you destroy the whole city because of 5 fewer people?" The LORD answered, "I will not destroy it if I find 45 there."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But perhaps there will be only forty-five innocent people instead of fifty. Will you destroy the whole city because there are five too few?" The LORD answered, "I will not destroy the city if I find forty-five innocent people." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />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."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />suppose the fifty righteous ones lack five. Will You destroy the whole city for the lack of five?? He replied, ?If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />what if there are five less than the fifty godly people? Will you destroy the whole city because five are lacking?" He replied, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />What if there will lack five of the fifty righteous? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?" He said, "I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Peradventure there will lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />What if there will lack five of the fifty righteous? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?&#8221; He said, &#8220;I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />perhaps there are lacking five of the fifty righteous&#8212;do You destroy for five the whole of the city?&#8221; And He says, &#8220;I do not destroy [it], if I find there forty-five.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> peradventure there are lacking five of the fifty righteous -- dost Thou destroy for five the whole of the city?' and He saith, 'I destroy it not, if I find there forty and five.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If the fifty just shall lack five: wilt thou destroy for sake of five all the city? And he will say, I will not destroy, if I shall find there forty and five.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />What if there be Ave less than fifty just persons? wilt thou for five and forty destroy the whole city? And he said: I will not destroy it, if I find five and forty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />What if there were five less than fifty of the just? Would you, despite the forty-five, eliminate the entire city?&#8221; And he said, &#8220;I will not eliminate it, if I find forty-five there.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What if there are five less than fifty righteous people? Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?&#8221; I will not destroy it, he answered, if I find forty-five there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?&#8221; And he said, &#8220;I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Suppose there shall lack five of the fifty righteous; wilt thou destroy the whole city for the lack of five men? And he said, If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if five are lacking from fifty righteous, will you destroy the entire city because of five?&#8221; And he said, &#8220;I shall not destroy if I find there forty and five.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous; wilt Thou destroy all the city for lack of five?' And He said: 'I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But if the fifty righteous should be diminished to forty-five, wilt thou destroy the whole city because of the five <i>wanting</i>? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I should find there forty-five.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/18-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3939" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/18.htm">Abraham Begs for Sodom</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">27</span>Then Abraham answered, &#8220;Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord&#8212;though I am but dust and ashes&#8212; <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/194.htm" title="194: &#8217;&#363;&#183;lay (Adv) -- Perhaps. Or rulay; from 'ow; if not; hence perhaps.">suppose</a> <a href="/hebrew/2572.htm" title="2572: &#7717;a&#774;&#183;mi&#353;&#183;&#353;&#238;m (Number-cp) -- Fifty. Multiple of chamesh; fifty.">the fifty</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ha&#7779;&#183;&#7779;ad&#183;d&#238;&#183;qim (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">righteous ones</a> <a href="/hebrew/2637.htm" title="2637: ya&#7717;&#183;s&#601;&#183;r&#363;n (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: Pn) -- To lack, need, be lacking, decrease. A primitive root; to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen.">lack</a> <a href="/hebrew/2568.htm" title="2568: &#7717;a&#774;&#183;mi&#353;&#183;&#353;&#257;h (Number-ms) -- Five. Masculine chamishshah; a primitive numeral; five.">five.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: ha&#774;&#183;&#7791;a&#353;&#183;&#7717;&#238;&#7791; (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">Will You destroy</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: k&#257;l- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">the whole</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: h&#257;&#183;&#8216;&#238;r (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">city</a> <a href="/hebrew/2568.htm" title="2568: ba&#183;&#7717;a&#774;&#183;mi&#353;&#183;&#353;&#257;h (Prep-b, Art:: Number-ms) -- Five. Masculine chamishshah; a primitive numeral; five.">for the lack of five?&#8221;</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: &#8217;e&#7791;- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way&#183;y&#333;&#183;mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">He replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: &#8217;im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">&#8220;If</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: &#8217;em&#183;&#7779;&#257; (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To attain to, find. ">I find</a> <a href="/hebrew/705.htm" title="705: &#8217;ar&#183;b&#257;&#183;&#8216;&#238;m (Number-cp) -- Forty. Multiple of arba'; forty.">forty-five</a> <a href="/hebrew/2568.htm" title="2568: wa&#183;&#7717;a&#774;&#183;mi&#353;&#183;&#353;&#257;h (Conj-w:: Number-ms) -- Five. Masculine chamishshah; a primitive numeral; five."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: &#353;&#257;m (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: l&#333; (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: &#8217;a&#353;&#183;&#7717;&#238;&#7791; (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">destroy it.&#8221;</a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>Once again Abraham spoke to the LORD, &#8220;Suppose forty are found there?&#8221; He answered, &#8220;On account of the forty, I will not do it.&#8221;&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-14.htm">Exodus 32:14</a></span><br />So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-19.htm">Numbers 14:19-20</a></span><br />Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of Your loving devotion, just as You have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.&#8221; / &#8220;I have pardoned them as you requested,&#8221; the LORD replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-1.htm">Jeremiah 5:1</a></span><br />&#8220;Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/7-2.htm">Amos 7:2-3</a></span><br />And when the locusts had eaten every green plant in the land, I said, &#8220;Lord GOD, please forgive! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?&#8221; / So the LORD relented from this plan. &#8220;It will not happen,&#8221; He said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/7-5.htm">Amos 7:5-6</a></span><br />Then I said, &#8220;Lord GOD, please stop! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?&#8221; / So the LORD relented from this plan. &#8220;It will not happen either,&#8221; said the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/3-10.htm">Jonah 3:10</a></span><br />When God saw their actions&#8212;that they had turned from their evil ways&#8212;He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-9.htm">Isaiah 1:9</a></span><br />Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-30.htm">Ezekiel 22:30</a></span><br />I searched for a man among them to repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it. But I found no one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a></span><br />and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-23.htm">Psalm 106:23</a></span><br />So He said He would destroy them&#8212;had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-23.htm">Matthew 11:23-24</a></span><br />And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. / But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-13.htm">Luke 10:13-14</a></span><br />Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-19.htm">Matthew 18:19-20</a></span><br />Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. / For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a></span><br />Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">1 John 5:14-15</a></span><br />And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: will you destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.</p><p class="hdg">wilt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/14-17.htm">Numbers 14:17-19</a></b></br> And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32,33</a></b></br> So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and <i>put</i> ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Benhadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, <i>Is</i> he yet alive? he <i>is</i> my brother&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/23-3.htm">Job 23:3,4</a></b></br> Oh that I knew where I might find him! <i>that</i> I might come <i>even</i> to his seat! &#8230; </p><p class="hdg">If I.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">Genesis 18:26,29</a></b></br> And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes&#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">Account</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">City</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">Fifty</a> <a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">Find</a> <a href="/genesis/14-9.htm">Five</a> <a href="/genesis/8-6.htm">Forty</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-30.htm">Forty-Five</a> <a href="/james/2-15.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/revelation/11-6.htm">Want</a> <a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/18-29.htm">Account</a> <a href="/genesis/18-29.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/genesis/19-1.htm">City</a> <a href="/genesis/18-31.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/genesis/19-13.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/exodus/26-5.htm">Fifty</a> <a href="/genesis/18-30.htm">Find</a> <a href="/genesis/25-7.htm">Five</a> <a href="/genesis/18-29.htm">Forty</a> <a href="/numbers/1-25.htm">Forty-Five</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-9.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/genesis/18-29.htm">Peradventure</a> <a href="/genesis/18-29.htm">Perhaps</a> <a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/genesis/18-29.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/genesis/24-3.htm">Want</a> <a href="/genesis/23-17.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-1.htm">The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-9.htm">Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-16.htm">The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/genesis/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>suppose the fifty righteous ones lack five.</b><br>In this phrase, Abraham is interceding for Sodom, demonstrating his role as a mediator. The number fifty is significant, often representing completeness or a full measure in biblical numerology. The idea of lacking five suggests a shortfall, testing the limits of God's mercy. This negotiation reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of bargaining, where a petitioner would gradually lower the terms to reach an agreement. Abraham's approach shows his understanding of God's justice and mercy, as well as his deep concern for the righteous within the city.<p><b>Will You destroy the whole city for the lack of five?&#8221;</b><br>Here, Abraham questions the justice of God, highlighting the tension between divine judgment and mercy. The phrase underscores the value of the righteous and their potential to preserve a community. This reflects a broader biblical theme where the presence of the righteous can bring blessings or protection to others, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/11-10.htm">Proverbs 11:10-11</a>. The rhetorical question emphasizes the seriousness of divine judgment and the hope that God will spare the city for the sake of a few righteous individuals.<p><b>He replied, &#8220;If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it.&#8221;</b><br>God's response reveals His willingness to show mercy and His attentiveness to Abraham's intercession. The reduction from fifty to forty-five indicates God's readiness to relent from judgment for the sake of even a small number of righteous people. This interaction foreshadows the role of Jesus Christ as the ultimate intercessor, who pleads on behalf of humanity. It also connects to the theme of God's patience and desire for repentance, as seen in <a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>, where God is described as not wanting anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this passage, he is interceding with God for the city of Sodom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (The LORD)</a></b><br>The sovereign Creator who is in dialogue with Abraham, demonstrating His justice and mercy.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sodom.htm">Sodom</a></b><br>A city known for its wickedness, which God plans to judge. Abraham is negotiating for its preservation if righteous people can be found there.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_people.htm">Righteous People</a></b><br>The individuals whose presence could spare the city from destruction. Their righteousness is a key factor in God's judgment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/intercession.htm">Intercession</a></b><br>The act of Abraham pleading with God on behalf of Sodom, showcasing the power of prayer and advocacy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_intercession.htm">The Power of Intercession</a></b><br>Abraham's dialogue with God illustrates the importance and effectiveness of intercessory prayer. Believers are encouraged to pray for others, trusting in God's mercy and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>This passage reveals God's willingness to spare the wicked for the sake of the righteous. It underscores His just nature balanced with mercy, encouraging believers to trust in His character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_righteousness.htm">The Value of Righteousness</a></b><br>The presence of even a few righteous individuals can have a profound impact. This teaches the importance of living a righteous life and its potential to influence and preserve communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/persistent_faith.htm">Persistent Faith</a></b><br>Abraham's persistence in negotiating with God demonstrates a faith that does not give up easily. Believers are encouraged to be persistent in their prayers and faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_persistence_get_results.htm">Will persistence lead to receiving what you request?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_scripture_show_collective_punishment.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 - If God's ways are truly just, why do we see instances of collective punishment and suffering elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_threaten_a_city_if_one_righteous_saves.htm">Why would God threaten a city in Jeremiah 5:1 if one righteous person could save it, unlike the mercy shown in Genesis 18?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_john_4_8_say_'god_is_love'.htm">How can 1 John 4:8 say 'God is love' when the Old Testament shows actions that don't seem loving?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?</span> Literally, on <span class="accented">account of five, i.e.</span> because they are wanting. A rare example of holy ingenuity in prayer. Abraham, instead of pleading for the city's safety on account of forty-five, deprecates its destruction on account of five. <span class="cmt_word">And its said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/18-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">suppose</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1440;&#1493;&#1468;&#1500;&#1463;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;&#363;&#183;lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_194.htm">Strong's 194: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the fifty</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1495;&#1458;&#1502;&#1460;&#1513;&#1473;&#1468;&#1460;&#1444;&#1497;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7717;a&#774;&#183;mi&#353;&#183;&#353;&#238;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2572.htm">Strong's 2572: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fifty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">righteous ones</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1510;&#1468;&#1463;&#1491;&#1468;&#1460;&#1497;&#1511;&#1460;&#1501;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(ha&#7779;&#183;&#7779;ad&#183;d&#238;&#183;qim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lack</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1463;&#1495;&#1456;&#1505;&#1456;&#1512;&#1438;&#1493;&#1468;&#1503;</span> <span class="translit">(ya&#7717;&#183;s&#601;&#183;r&#363;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural &#124; Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2637.htm">Strong's 2637: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lack, need, be lacking, decrease</span><br /><br /><span class="word">five.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1495;&#1458;&#1502;&#1460;&#1513;&#1473;&#1468;&#1464;&#1428;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7717;a&#774;&#183;mi&#353;&#183;&#353;&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2568.htm">Strong's 2568: </a> </span><span class="str2">Five</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Will you destroy</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1458;&#1514;&#1463;&#1513;&#1473;&#1456;&#1495;&#1460;&#1445;&#1497;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(ha&#774;&#183;&#7791;a&#353;&#183;&#7717;&#238;&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps to go to ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the whole</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1464;&#1500;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(k&#257;l-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">city</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1464;&#1506;&#1460;&#1425;&#1497;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(h&#257;&#183;&#8216;&#238;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the lack of five?&#8221;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1463;&#1495;&#1458;&#1502;&#1460;&#1513;&#1473;&#1468;&#1464;&#1430;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(ba&#183;&#7717;a&#774;&#183;mi&#353;&#183;&#353;&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article &#124; Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2568.htm">Strong's 2568: </a> </span><span class="str2">Five</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1497;&#1468;&#1465;&#1433;&#1488;&#1502;&#1462;&#1512;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(way&#183;y&#333;&#183;mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">&#8220;If</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1460;&#1501;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I find</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1462;&#1502;&#1456;&#1510;&#1464;&#1443;&#1488;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;em&#183;&#7779;&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forty-five</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1463;&#1512;&#1456;&#1489;&#1468;&#1464;&#1506;&#1460;&#1430;&#1497;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;ar&#183;b&#257;&#183;&#8216;&#238;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_705.htm">Strong's 705: </a> </span><span class="str2">Forty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1513;&#1473;&#1464;&#1428;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(&#353;&#257;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will not</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1465;&#1443;&#1488;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#333;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">destroy [it].&#8221;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1463;&#1513;&#1473;&#1456;&#1495;&#1460;&#1428;&#1497;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#353;&#183;&#7717;&#238;&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps to go to ruin</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/18-28.htm">OT Law: Genesis 18:28 What if there will lack five (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/18-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 18:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/18-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 18:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:29" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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