Genesis 18:8

_AND HE TOOK BUTTER, AND MILK, AND THE CALF WHICH HE HAD DRESSED, AND SET IT BEFORE THEM; AND HE STOOD BY THEM UNDER THE TREE, AND THEY DID EAT._ Milk [Hebrew, _ CHEM'AAH_ (H2529), curdled or sour milk, called by the Arabs leban] - a common refreshment in the tents of nomadic people. The butter is churned by a very singular process-namely, a skin of milk, tied to a tent pole, is swung backwards and forwards by a female, who holds it by a long cord until the butter is thrown off. A bowl of camel's milk ends the repast. HE STOOD BY THEM UNDER THE TREE. The host himself, even though he has a number of servants, deems it a necessary act of politeness to stand while his guests are at their food; and Abraham evidently did this before he was aware of the real character of his visitors. AND THEY DID EAT. Josephus ('Antiquities,' b. 1:, 11, sec. 2) says, 'they made a show of eating;' and ma

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 18:8. _AND HE STOOD BY THEM UNDER THE TREE, AND THEY DID EAT._] Nothing is more common in _Hindostan_ than to see travellers and guests _eating under the shade of trees_. Feasts are scarcely ever held in _houses_. The house of a Hindoo serves for _sleeping_ and _cooking_, and for _shutting_ up the _women_; but is never considered as a _sitting_ or _dining_ room. - _Ward_....

- 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 TOOK BUTTER AND MILK,.... Jarchi says, it was the fat of the milk gathered from the top of it, he means cream, and is different both from butter and from milk: this was either Abraham himself, who took and brought these, as Sarah or her maidens might bring the cakes when baked; or else Abraham's young man, since it follows: AND THE CALF WHICH HE HAD DRESSED; either the whole of it, or some principal parts of it, reckoned the finest and choicest; though by what follows it seems to be Abraham himself, who may be said to dress the calf, it being done by his orders: AND SET [IT] BEFORE THEM; a table being placed under the tree, he set, or ordered to be set, all those provisions before the three men, to feed upon, the cakes and butter, the milk and fatted calf: AND HE STOOD BY THEM UNDER THE TREE; not only to bid them welcome, but to minister to them; nor will this seem strange, or...

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...

TREE. See Genesis 18:1. EAT. We do not understand this mystery. But we read of "angels' food" (Psalms 78:25); and that Christ ate after His resurrection (Luke 24:30; Luke 24:43.Acts 10:41; Acts 10:41)....

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (J) Genesis 18:1. Visit of three Angels to Abraham, and the promise of a son to Sarah. 16 33. Colloquy of Jehovah with Abraham; Jehovah's purpose to overthrow Sodom and Gomorrah and the intercession of Abraham. Genesis 19:1. Visit of two Angels to Lot in Sodom, and the escape of Lot to Zoar. 24 28. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the Plain. 30 38. The origin of the Moabites and Ammonites. With the exception of Genesis 19:29, which is from P, the whole of this remarkable section is from J. Few passages in the O.T. narrative can rival it in simplicity, vividness, and grace of style. The interposition of t