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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then Abraham approached him and said: &#8220Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham approached and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Abraham came near and said, &#8220Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Abraham came near and said, “Wilt Thou indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Abraham approached [the LORD] and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous (those who do right) with the wicked (those who do evil)?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham stepped forward and said, &#8220Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou consume the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And Abraham asked him, "LORD, when you destroy the evil people, are you also going to destroy those who are good? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou consume the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Abraham came closer and asked, "Are you really going to sweep away the innocent with the guilty?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Abraham approached the LORD and asked, "Are you really going to destroy the innocent with the guilty? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Abraham approached and asked, "Will you actually destroy the righteous along with the wicked? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham stepped forward and said, ?Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Abraham approached and said, "Will you sweep away the godly along with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Abraham drew near, and said, "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Abraham came near, and said, “Will you consume the righteous with the wicked? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham draws near and says, “Do You also consume righteous with wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abraham draweth nigh and saith, 'Dost Thou also consume righteous with wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham will draw near, and will say, Wilt thou also destroy the just with the wicked.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And drawing nigh he said: Wilt thou destroy the just with the wicked? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And as they drew near, he said: “Will you destroy the just with the impious?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham drew near and said: “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Abraham came near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham drew near and said, Wilt thou in thine anger destroy the righteous with the sinners?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Abraham came near and said, “Do you destroy the righteous in a rage with sinners?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Abraham drew near, and said: 'Wilt Thou indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Abraam drew nigh and said, Wouldest thou destroy the righteous with the wicked, and shall the righteous be as the wicked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/18-23.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=3891" 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>…<span class="reftext">22</span>And the two men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">Abraham</a> <a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: way·yig·gaš (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To draw near, approach. ">stepped forward</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/637.htm" title="637: ha·’ap̄ (Conj) -- Also, yea. A primitive particle; meaning accession; also or yea; adversatively though.">“Will You really</a> <a href="/hebrew/5595.htm" title="5595: tis·peh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To sweep or snatch away, catch up. A primitive root; properly, to scrape together or away.">sweep away</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ṣad·dîq (Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">the righteous</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">the wicked?</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <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/32-11.htm">Exodus 32:11-14</a></span><br />But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? / Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. / Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-13.htm">Numbers 14:13-19</a></span><br />But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. / And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. / If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-1.htm">Jeremiah 5:1</a></span><br />“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="/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="/amos/7-2.htm">Amos 7:2-6</a></span><br />And when the locusts had eaten every green plant in the land, I said, “Lord GOD, please forgive! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?” / So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen,” He said. / This is what the Lord GOD showed me: The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-4.htm">Job 23:4-5</a></span><br />I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. / I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a></span><br />“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.<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—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="/psalms/34-15.htm">Psalm 34:15-17</a></span><br />The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry. / But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth. / The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-28.htm">Psalm 37:28</a></span><br />For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/145-18.htm">Psalm 145:18-20</a></span><br />The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. / He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. / The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13-16</a></span><br />You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. / You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-11</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. / Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5-10</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, / because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ / And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Abraham drew near, and said, Will you also destroy the righteous with the wicked?</p><p class="hdg">drew.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/73-28.htm">Psalm 73:28</a></b></br> But <i>it is</i> good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/30-21.htm">Jeremiah 30:21</a></b></br> And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who <i>is</i> this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Hebrews 10:22</a></b></br> Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.</p><p class="hdg">Wilt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Genesis 18:25</a></b></br> That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4</a></b></br> But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/16-22.htm">Numbers 16:22</a></b></br> And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/18-22.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/acts/9-3.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/genesis/7-4.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/james/5-3.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/genesis/9-15.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/genesis/7-21.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/genesis/14-14.htm">Draweth</a> <a href="/genesis/14-8.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/genesis/18-20.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/revelation/22-10.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/genesis/6-17.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/genesis/7-1.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/genesis/13-13.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/revelation/12-15.htm">Sweep</a> <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/genesis/13-13.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/genesis/16-8.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/18-27.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/genesis/19-32.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/genesis/24-20.htm">Draweth</a> <a href="/genesis/19-9.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/27-21.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/genesis/19-15.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/numbers/12-11.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Sweep</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/genesis/18-25.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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 ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Abraham stepped forward and said</b><br>This phrase indicates a moment of boldness and intercession by Abraham. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, approaching a deity or a figure of authority required courage and respect. Abraham's stepping forward signifies his role as an intercessor, a type of Christ who mediates on behalf of others. This act also reflects the intimate relationship Abraham has with God, as seen in <a href="/james/2-23.htm">James 2:23</a>, where Abraham is called a "friend of God."<p><b>Will You really sweep away</b><br>The language here suggests a concern for justice and mercy. The Hebrew word used implies a complete destruction, which Abraham questions. This reflects the biblical theme of God's justice, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23</a>, where God expresses no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Abraham's question anticipates the later biblical revelation of God's character as both just and merciful.<p><b>the righteous with the wicked?</b><br>This phrase highlights the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Abraham's concern is for the preservation of the righteous, which aligns with God's promise to spare the city if righteous people are found (<a href="/genesis/18-26.htm">Genesis 18:26</a>). This anticipates the New Testament teaching in <a href="/2_peter/2-9.htm">2 Peter 2:9</a>, where God is described as able to rescue the godly from trials. Theologically, this also points to the ultimate separation of the righteous and the wicked at the final judgment, as described in <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-46</a>.<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 on behalf of Sodom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty, who is about to judge Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness. He engages in a dialogue with Abraham, revealing His willingness to listen to human intercession.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sodom.htm">Sodom</a></b><br>A city known for its grave sinfulness, which God plans to destroy. Abraham's intercession is focused on sparing the righteous within this city.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_and_wicked.htm">Righteous and Wicked</a></b><br>The moral categories that Abraham uses in his plea to God, highlighting the justice and mercy of God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/intercession.htm">Intercession</a></b><br>The act of Abraham stepping forward to plead with God, demonstrating the power and importance of intercessory prayer.<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 shows the importance and effectiveness of intercessory prayer. Believers are encouraged to pray for others, trusting in God's willingness to listen.<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 character as both just and merciful. He is willing to spare the wicked for the sake of the righteous, demonstrating His desire for mercy over judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_righteous.htm">The Role of the Righteous</a></b><br>The presence of the righteous can have a profound impact on the world. Believers are called to be salt and light, influencing their communities positively.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/engaging_with_god.htm">Engaging with God</a></b><br>Abraham's boldness in approaching God teaches us that we can come before God with our concerns and questions, trusting in His openness to dialogue.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_responsibility.htm">Moral Responsibility</a></b><br>The passage challenges believers to consider their own moral responsibility in their communities, encouraging them to stand for righteousness and justice.<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/how_can_a_city's_fate_depend_on_one_deal.htm">How can an entire city’s fate hinge on a negotiation between God and one individual (Genesis 18:23–33)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_top_priority.htm">How does intercession influence God's response to prayers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_intercession_affect_god's_reply.htm">How does intercession influence God's response to prayers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view__mercy_vs._justice.htm">What does the Bible say about mercy versus justice?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Abraham drew near.</span>--As Jewish commentators remark, this word is especially used of prayer, and Abraham's intercession is unspeakably noble. Nor must we suppose that he thought only of Lot. Doubtless he remembered the day when he had restored the persons and spoil to the king of Sodom. He had then seen their human affection; the joy of parent meeting with child, and friend with friend; and he hoped that there were good people among them, and that so marvellous a deliverance would work in many of them a true repentance. Neither must we suppose that Abraham adroitly began with a large number, with the intention of lessening it. It was the readiness with which each prayer was heard which made him in his earnestness continue his entreaties. It thus illustrates the principle that the faith of the believer grows strong as he feels that his prayers are accepted, and he ventures finally to offer petitions, nothing wavering, which at an earlier stage would have seemed to him to ask more than he might venture to hope from the Divine goodness.<p><span class= "bld">Destroy.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">sweep away; </span>and so in <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm" title="Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: will you also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?">Genesis 18:24</a>. The difference is not without force; for the verb "to sweep away" gives the idea of a more indiscriminate ruin than the usual word <span class= "ital">destroy, </span>which Abraham substitutes for it in <a href="/genesis/18-28.htm" title="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.">Genesis 18:28</a>; <a href="/context/genesis/18-31.htm" title="And he said, Behold now, I have taken on me to speak to the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.">Genesis 18:31-32</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Abraham drew near</span>. <span class="accented">I.e.</span> to Jehovah; not simply locally, but also spiritually. The religious use of <span class="hebrew">יִגַּשּׁ</span> as a performing religious services to God, or a pious turning of the mind to God, is found in <a href="/exodus/30-20.htm">Exodus 30:20</a>; <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/30-21.htm">Jeremiah 30:21</a>; and in a similar sense <span class="greek">ἐγγίζω</span> is employed in the New Testament (cf. <a href="/hebrews/4-16.htm">Hebrews 4:16</a>; <a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Hebrews 10:22</a>; <a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8</a>). The Jonathan Targum explains, "and Abraham prayed." <span class="cmt_word">And said.</span> Commencing the sublimest act of human intercession of which Scripture preserves a record, being moved thereto, if not by an immediate regard for <span class="accented">Lot</span> (Lange), at least by a sense of compassion towards the inhabitants of Sodom, "<span class="accented">communis erga quinque populos misericordia"</span> (Calvin), which was heightened and intensified by his own previous experience of forgiving grace (Keil). <span class="cmt_word">Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?</span> The question presupposes that God had, according to the resolution of Ver. 17, explained to the patriarch his intention to destroy the cities of the plain. The object the patriarch contemplated in his intercession was not simply the preservation of any godly remnant that might be found within the doomed towns, but the rescue of their entire populations from the impending judgment, - only he does not at first discover his complete design, perhaps regarding such an absolute reversal of the Divine purpose as exceeding the legitimate bounds of creature supplication; but with what might be characterized as holy adroitness he veils his ulterior aim, and commences his petition at a Point somewhat removed from that to which he hopes to come. Assuming it as settled that the fair Pentapolis is to be destroyed, he practically asks, with a strange mixture of humility and boldness, if Jehovah has considered that this will involve a sad commingling in one gigantic overthrow of both the righteous and the wicked. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/18-23.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">Abraham</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">stepped forward</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yig·gaš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמַ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">“Will You really</span><br /><span class="heb">הַאַ֣ף</span> <span class="translit">(ha·’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_637.htm">Strong's 637: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sweep away</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּסְפֶּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(tis·peh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5595.htm">Strong's 5595: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sweep or snatch away, catch up</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the righteous</span><br /><span class="heb">צַדִּ֖יק</span> <span class="translit">(ṣad·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<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">with</span><br /><span class="heb">עִם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wicked?</span><br /><span class="heb">רָשָֽׁע׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">OT Law: Genesis 18:23 Abraham drew near and said Will you (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/18-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 18:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/18-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 18:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:24" /></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>