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Genesis 18:3 "My lord," said Abraham, "if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.

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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He said, &#8220If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />&#8220;My lord,&#8221; he said, &#8220;if it pleases you, stop here for a while.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and said, &#8220;O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;My lord,&#8221; said Abraham, &#8220;if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and said, &#8220;My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and said, &#8220;My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and said, &#8220My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and said, &#8220;My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and he said, &#8220;My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and Abraham said, &#8220;My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass by your servant [without stopping to visit].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and said, &#8220;My lord, if I have found favor with you, please do not go on past your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, &#8220My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, please do not go on past your servant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and said, My lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and said, "Please come to my home where I can serve you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and said, My lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/18.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />"Please, sir," Abraham said, "stop by to visit me for a while.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />he said, "Sirs, please do not pass by my home without stopping; I am here to serve you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"My lords," he told them, "if I have found favor with you, please don't leave your servant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?My lord,? said Abraham, ?if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He said, "My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by and leave your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and said, "My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not go on past your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and said, &#8220;My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don&#8217;t go away from your servant. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he says, &#8220;My Lord, if now I have found grace in Your eyes, please do not pass on from Your servant;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he saith, 'My Lord, if, I pray thee, I have found grace in thine eyes, do not, I pray thee, pass on from thy servant;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say, Lord, if now I found grace in thine eyes, now thou wilt not pass away from thy servant.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he said: Lord, if I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away from thy servant: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said: &#8220;If I, O lord, have found grace in your eyes, do not pass by your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />he said: &#8220;Sir, if it please you, do not go on past your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He said, &#8220;My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And said, O LORD, if now I have found mercy in thy sight, do not pass away from thy servant;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I shall take a little water and I shall wash your feet and recline under the tree:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and said: 'My lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he said, Lord, if indeed I have found grace in thy sight, pass not by thy servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/18-3.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=3713" 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">The Three Visitors</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">2</span>And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: &#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#7695;&#333;&#183;n&#257;y (N-proper-ms) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">&#8220;My lord,&#8221;</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way&#183;y&#333;&#183;mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said Abraham,</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: m&#257;&#183;&#7779;&#257;&#183;&#7791;&#238; (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To attain to, find. ">I have found</a> <a href="/hebrew/2580.htm" title="2580: &#7717;&#234;n (N-ms) -- Favor, grace. From chanan; graciousness, i.e. Subjective or objective.">favor</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: b&#601;&#183;&#8216;&#234;&#183;ne&#183;&#7733;&#257; (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 2ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in your sight,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: n&#257; (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">please</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: &#8217;al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: n&#257; (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: &#7791;a&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;&#7687;&#333;r (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">pass</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: m&#234;&#183;&#8216;al (Prep-m) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: &#8216;a&#7687;&#183;de&#183;&#7733;&#257; (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">your servant by.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree.&#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="/hebrews/13-2.htm">Hebrews 13:2</a></span><br />Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35-40</a></span><br />For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.&#8217; / Then the righteous will answer Him, &#8216;Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-9.htm">1 Peter 4:9</a></span><br />Show hospitality to one another without complaining.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-13.htm">Romans 12:13</a></span><br />Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-28.htm">Luke 24:28-31</a></span><br />As they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going farther. / But they pleaded with Him, &#8220;Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.&#8221; So He went in to stay with them. / While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-10.htm">1 Timothy 5:10</a></span><br />and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-15.htm">Acts 16:15</a></span><br />And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, &#8220;If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.&#8221; And she persuaded us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/3_john/1-5.htm">3 John 1:5-8</a></span><br />Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you. / They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. / For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-15.htm">James 2:15-16</a></span><br />Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, &#8220;Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,&#8221; but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38-42</a></span><br />As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. / She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord&#8217;s feet listening to His message. / But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, &#8220;Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!&#8221; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4-5</a></span><br />If you encounter your enemy&#8217;s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-34.htm">Leviticus 19:34</a></span><br />You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-19.htm">Deuteronomy 10:19</a></span><br />So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">2 Kings 4:8-10</a></span><br />One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. / Then the woman said to her husband, &#8220;Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-32.htm">Job 31:32</a></span><br />but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler&#8212;</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And said, My LORD, if now I have found favor in your sight, pass not away, I pray you, from your servant:</p><p class="hdg">favour.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/32-5.htm">Genesis 32:5</a></b></br> And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/18-2.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/6-8.htm">Favor</a> <a href="/genesis/6-8.htm">Favour</a> <a href="/genesis/16-7.htm">Found</a> <a href="/genesis/6-8.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/genesis/16-6.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/17-13.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Sight</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/19-8.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/19-19.htm">Favor</a> <a href="/genesis/30-27.htm">Favour</a> <a href="/genesis/18-29.htm">Found</a> <a href="/genesis/19-19.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/genesis/18-4.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/18-5.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/19-14.htm">Sight</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>&#8220;My lord,&#8221; said Abraham,</b><br>In this phrase, Abraham addresses one of the three visitors with respect, using the term "lord" as a sign of deference. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of hospitality and respect towards travelers. The use of "lord" here can also be seen as a recognition of the divine nature of the visitors, as one of them is later revealed to be the Lord Himself. This encounter is significant as it prefigures theophanies, where God appears in human form, which is a type of Christ who is God incarnate.<p><b>&#8220;if I have found favor in your sight,&#8221;</b><br>Abraham's request for favor indicates a humble approach, acknowledging the authority and power of the visitor. This phrase echoes the biblical theme of grace, where favor is granted by God not based on merit but on His sovereign choice. It parallels other instances in Scripture where individuals seek God's favor, such as Moses in <a href="/exodus/33-13.htm">Exodus 33:13</a>. The concept of finding favor is central to the covenant relationship between God and His people.<p><b>&#8220;please do not pass your servant by.&#8221;</b><br>Abraham's plea for the visitors to stay reflects the cultural importance of hospitality in the ancient world, where providing for travelers was a sacred duty. This request also underscores Abraham's desire for a deeper encounter with the divine, illustrating the human longing for God's presence. The phrase can be seen as a foreshadowing of the New Testament invitation for Christ to dwell with believers, as seen in <a href="/revelation/3-20.htm">Revelation 3:20</a>, where Jesus stands at the door and knocks, seeking fellowship with those who open to Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Abraham is a patriarch of the faith, known for his obedience and faithfulness to God. Here, he demonstrates hospitality and reverence.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The Lord</a></b><br>In this context, the Lord appears to Abraham in the form of three men. This theophany is a significant event where God communicates directly with Abraham.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_oaks_of_mamre.htm">The Oaks of Mamre</a></b><br>This is the location where Abraham is residing when the Lord appears to him. It is a place of significance in Abraham's life, associated with divine encounters.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/hospitality_event.htm">Hospitality Event</a></b><br>Abraham's invitation to the visitors to stay is an act of hospitality, reflecting the cultural and spiritual importance of welcoming strangers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_hospitality.htm">The Importance of Hospitality</a></b><br>Abraham's example teaches us the value of welcoming and serving others, reflecting God's love and grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_divine_opportunities.htm">Recognizing Divine Opportunities</a></b><br>We should be attentive to moments when God may be working in our lives through unexpected visitors or situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/favor_and_obedience.htm">Favor and Obedience</a></b><br>Finding favor in God's sight often involves a heart of obedience and willingness to serve, as demonstrated by Abraham.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_and_humility.htm">Reverence and Humility</a></b><br>Abraham's approach to the Lord with humility and respect is a model for how we should approach God in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Abraham's actions show that faith is not just belief but is demonstrated through deeds, aligning with the teachings in James.<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/what_does_the_'h'_in_jesus_h._christ_mean.htm">Why did Sarah refer to Abraham as lord?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_lessons_from_sarah_and_hagar.htm">What lessons does the Sarah and Hagar story teach?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/has_anyone_ever_seen_god.htm">Has anyone ever seen God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_abraham_host_the_lord_as_travelers.htm">How could Abraham host and feed three travelers identified as the Lord in human form (Genesis 18:1&#8211;5) without any hint of deception or strangeness? </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>(3) <span class= "bld">My lord.</span>--Heb. <span class= "ital">'donai, </span>a term of simple respect, just as the bowing towards the earth is exactly what an Arab sheik would do now to a passing traveller. Abraham's conduct is marked by all that stately courtesy usual among Orientals. He calls himself their slave: regards it as a favour that they should partake of his hospitality; speaks slightingly of the repast prepared as a mere morsel of bread; and treats it as a providential act that they had come into his neighbourhood. It was only afterwards that he knew that he was entertaining angels unawares (<a href="/hebrews/13-2.htm" title="Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.">Hebrews 13:2</a>). While, moreover, he addresses the chief traveller first, as courtesy required, he immediately afterwards changes to the plural, lest he should seem wanting in hospitable welcome to his companions.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And said, My Lord</span> - Adonai, literally, Lord, as in <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Genesis 15:2</a>, q.v. (LXX., <span class="greek">&#x3ba;&#x1f7b;&#x3c1;&#x3b9;&#x3b5;</span>; Vulgate, <span class="accented">Domine</span>; Syriac, Onkelos, Kalisch, Alford, Lange), though the term may have indicated nothing more than-Abraham s recognition of the superior authority of the Being addressed (Murphy). The readings Adoni, my Lord (A.V., Dathius, Rosenm&uuml;ller), and Aden, my lords (Gesenius), are incorrect - <span class="cmt_word">if now I have found favor in thy sight</span> - not implying dubiety on Abraham s part as to his acceptance before God (Knobel), but rather postulating his already conscious enjoyment of the Divine favor as the ground of the request about to be preferred (Delitzsch, Lange). Those who regard Abraham as unconscious of the Divinity of him to whom he spake see in his language nothing but the customary formula of Oriental address (Rosenm&uuml;ller; cf. <a href="/genesis/30-27.htm">Genesis 30:27</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/20-29.htm">1 Samuel 20:29</a>; <a href="/esther/7-3.htm">Esther 7:3</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">put not away, I pray thee, from thy servant.</span> The hospitality of the Eastern, and even of the Arab, has been frequently remarked by travelers. Volney describes the Arab as dining at his tent door in order to invite passers-by ('Tray.,' 1. p. 314). "The virtue of hospitality is one of the great redeeming virtues in the character of the Bedouins (Kalisch). "<span class="accented">Whenever</span> our path led us near an encampment, as was frequently the case, we always found some active sheikh or venerable patriarch sitting 'in his tent door,' and as soon as we were within haft we heard the earnest words of welcome and invitation which the Old Testament Scriptures had rendered long ago familiar to us: Stay, my lord, stay. Pass not on till thou hast eaten bread, and rested under thy servant's tent. Alight and remain until thy servant kills a kid and prepares, a feast'" (Porter's 'Giant Cities of Bashan,' p. 326; cf. <span class="accented">ibid</span>. p. 87). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/18-3.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">&#8220;My lord,&#8221;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1458;&#1491;&#1465;&#1504;&#1464;&#1431;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#7695;&#333;&#183;n&#257;y)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sovereign, controller</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said [Abraham],</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1497;&#1468;&#1465;&#1488;&#1502;&#1463;&#1425;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(way&#183;y&#333;&#183;mar)</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 have found</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1464;&#1510;&#1464;&#1444;&#1488;&#1514;&#1460;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(m&#257;&#183;&#7779;&#257;&#183;&#7791;&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - 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">favor</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1495;&#1461;&#1503;&#1433;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7717;&#234;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2580.htm">Strong's 2580: </a> </span><span class="str2">Graciousness, subjective, objective</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in your sight,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1506;&#1461;&#1497;&#1504;&#1462;&#1428;&#1497;&#1498;&#1464;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;&#8216;&#234;&#183;ne&#183;&#7733;&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Noun - cdc &#124; second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">please</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1504;&#1464;&#1448;&#1488;</span> <span class="translit">(n&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> </span><span class="str2">I pray', 'now', 'then'</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do not</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1463;&#1500;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pass</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1514;&#1463;&#1506;&#1458;&#1489;&#1465;&#1430;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7791;a&#183;&#8216;a&#774;&#183;&#7687;&#333;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your servant {by}.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1463;&#1489;&#1456;&#1491;&#1468;&#1462;&#1469;&#1498;&#1464;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;a&#7687;&#183;de&#183;&#7733;&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct &#124; second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/18-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 18:3 And said My lord if now (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/18-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 18:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/18-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 18:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:4" /></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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