Genesis 18:1

CHAPTER XVIII

The Lord appears unto Abraham in Mamre, 1.

Three angels, in human appearance, come towards his tent, 2.

He invites them in to wash and refresh themselves, 3-5;

prepares a calf, bread, butter, and milk, for their

entertainment; and himself serves them, 6-8.

They promise that within a year Sarah shall have a son, 9, 10.

Sarah, knowing herself and husband to be superannuated,

smiles at the promise, 11, 12.

One of the three, who is called the LORD or Jehovah, chides

her, and asserts the sufficiency of the Divine power to

accomplish the promise, 13, 14.

Sarah, through fear, denies that she had laughed or showed

signs of unbelief, 15.

Abraham accompanies these Divine persons on their way to Sodom, 16;

and that one who is called Jehovah informs him of his

purpose to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, because of their

great wickedness, 17-21.

The two former proceed toward Sodom, while the latter (Jehovah)

remains with Abraham, 22.

Abraham intercedes for the inhabitants of those cities, entreating

the Lord to spare them provided fifty righteous persons should be

found in them, 23-25.

The Lord grants this request, 26.

He pleads for the same mercy should only forty-five be found there;

which is also granted, 27, 28.

He pleads the same for forty, which is also granted, 29;

for thirty, with the same success, 30;

for twenty, and receives the some gracious answer, 31;

for ten, and the Lord assures him that should ten righteous

persons be found there, he will not destroy the place, 32.

Jehovah then departs, and Abraham returns to his tent, 33.

NOTES ON CHAP. XVIII

Verse Genesis 18:1. And the Lord appeared] Genesis 15:1, Genesis 15:1.

Sat in the tent door] For the purpose of enjoying the refreshing air in the heat of the day, when the sun had most power. A custom still frequent among the Asiatics.