Genesis 18:2

_AND HE LIFT UP HIS EYES AND LOOKED, AND, LO, THREE MEN STOOD BY HIM: AND WHEN HE SAW THEM, HE RAN TO MEET THEM FROM THE TENT DOOR, AND BOWED HIMSELF TOWARD THE GROUND,_ Lift up his eyes ... and, lo, three men. Travelers in that quarter start at sunrise, and continue until midday, when they look out for some resting-place. STOOD BY HIM, [Hebrew, _ `AALAAYW_ (H5921)] - above him; i:e., on the heights that encircled the plain on which his tent was pitched. RAN TO MEET THEM. When the visitor is an ordinary person the host merely rises; but if of superior rank, the custom is to advance a little toward the stranger, and after a very low bow, turn and lead him to the tent, putting an arm round his waist, or tapping him on the shoulder as they go, to assure him of welcome....

2._And, lo, three men stood by him. _Before Moses prceeds to his principal subject, he describes to us, the hospitality of the holy man; and he calls the angels men, because, being clothed with human bodies, they appeared to be nothing else than men. And this was done designedly, in order that he, receiving them as men, might give proof of his charity. For angels do not need those services of ours, which are the true evidences of charity. Moreover, hospitality holds the chief place among these services; because it is no common virtue to assist strangers, from whom there is no hope of reward. For men in general are wont, when they do favors to others, to look for a return; but he who is kind to unknown guests and persons, proves himself to be disinterestedly liberal. Wherefor the humanity of Abraham deserves no slight praise; because he freely invites men who were to him unknown, through...

1-8 Abraham was waiting to entertain any weary traveller, for inns were not to be met with as among us. While Abraham was thus sitting, he saw three men coming. These were three heavenly beings in human bodies. Some think they were all created angels; others, that one of them was the Son of God, the Angel of the covenant. Washing the feet is customary in those hot climates, where only sandals are worn. We should not be forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares, Hebrews 13:2; nay, the Lord of angels himself; as we always do, when for his sake we entertain the least of his brethren. Cheerful and obliging manners in showing kindness, are great ornaments to piety. Though our condescending Lord vouchsafes not personal visits to us, yet still by his Spirit he stands at the door and knocks; when we are inclined to open, he deigns to enter; and by his g...

Verse Genesis 18:2. _THREE MEN STOOD BY HIM_] נצבים עליו _nitstsabim alaiv_, were _standing over against him_; for if they had been _standing by_ _him_, as our translation says, he needed not to have "run from the tent door to meet them." To Abraham these appeared at first as _men_; but he _entertained angels unawares_, see Hebrews 13:2....

- The Visit of the Lord to Abraham 2. השׂתחיה _vayı̂śtachû_ “bow,” or bend the body in token of respect to God or man. The attitude varies from a slight inclination of the body to entire prostration with the forehead touching the ground. 6. סאה _s__e__'ah_ a “seah,” about an English peck, the third part of an ephah. The ephah contained ten omers. The omer held about five pints. This chapter describes Abraham’s fellowship with God. On the gracious assurance of the Redeemer and Vindicator, “Fear not, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward,” he ceased to fear, and believed. On the solemn announcement of the Conqueror of evil and the Quickener of the dead, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be perfect,” he began anew to walk with God in holiness and truth. The

EXPOSITION GENESIS 18:1 AND THE LORD—_Jehovah_, the Divine name employed throughout the present and succeeding chapters, which are accordingly assigned to the Jehovist (Tuch, Bleek, Davidson, Colenso), with the exception of Genesis 19:29, which is commonly regarded as a fragment of the original Elohist's narration (vide _infra_)_—_APPEARED UNTO HIM. The absence of Abraham's name has been thought to favor the idea that the present chapter should have begun at Genesis 17:23 (Quarry). That the time of this renewed Divine manifestation was shortly after the incidents recorded in the preceding chapter is apparent, as also that its obje

AND HE LIFTED UP HIS EYES AND LOOKED,.... To see if he could observe any passengers coming that way: AND, LO, THREE MEN STOOD BY HIM; having perhaps descended at once from heaven upon the spot near where Abraham sat; for these, whoever they were, appeared in an human form, and they were took by Abraham at first sight to be men, and as such he treated them: some have taken these to be the three divine Persons, as some of the ancients; of which opinion was Dr. Lightfoot, who expressly says h, "three months after this, (i.e. the institution of the circumcision,) the three Persons in the Trinity dine with Abraham, and foretell the birth of Isaac; again, the Son and the Holy Ghost go down to Sodom, but the first Person in the Trinity stayeth with Abraham'' and elsewhere i, "the three Persons in the Trinity, in the shape of three men, appear to Abraham and dine with him, and eat the first...

CHAPTER 18 THE SIXTH COMMUNICATION AND JEHOVAH VISITS ABRAHAM _ 1. The manifestation (Genesis 18:1)_ 2. Abraham's welcome (Genesis 18:3) 3. The promise repeated (Genesis 18:9) 4. Sarah's laughter (Genesis 18:11) 5. The departure towards Sodom (Genesis 18:16) 6. Abraham's intercession (Genesis 18:17) This most remarkable visitation was the answer of Jehovah to Abraham's obedience of faith. The one in the middl

At the midday siesta Abraham suddenly becomes aware that three men are standing near his tent. That they appear with such mysterious suddenness does not, however, suggest their true character to him. He sees in them wayfarers, and treats them with prompt and generous hospitality. Addressing the leader, he proffers an invitation to rest and modest refreshment. He bids Sarah prepare cakes, kills a calf, procures soured milk and new milk, and sets this improvised meal, such as a Bedouin chief would offer to-day, before his guests, and while they eat stands in attendance. They ask after Sarah, and learn that she is in the tent. Yahweh promises that He will return and Sarah shall have a son. She is listening and laughs inwardly in incredulity. The visitors, who had shown themselves familiar with her name and childlessness, and who have promised a child, give a further proof of their mysteriou...

LOOKED. See note on Genesis 13:14. LO. The Figure of speech _Asterismos._ THREE MEN. Elohim (App-4) and two angels called men (Hebrew. _'ish,_ plural, App-14) here, and verses: Genesis 18:16; Genesis 18:22, but in Genesis 19:1; Genesis 19:15 the two are called "angels". _Three_ the No. of Divine perfection (see App-10). "When two departed, Elohim (the Divine Presence) remained (verses: Genesis 18:16;...