Deep Dive

Genesis 18:31

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And Abraham said, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord, suppose twenty are found there?” He answered, “On account of the twenty, I will not destroy it.”

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 31

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

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 31

אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָאַל (yâʼal, H2974) — properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Luke 11:8rank 3

I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

Ephesians 6:18rank 2

Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.

Matthew 7:7rank 2

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

Hebrews 4:16rank 2

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Matthew 7:11rank 2

So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Luke 18:1rank 2

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

Genesis 18:27rank 2

Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes—

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