Genesis 18:1-8

The Three Visitors

1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.

2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord,^[a] do not pass your servant by.

4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.

5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs^[b] of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.

8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

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Genesis 18:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 18

Another appearance of God to Abraham is here recorded; three persons are seen by him in an human form, whom he kindly invites to stop with him, and generously entertains them, Ge 18:1-8; they inquire concerning Sarah his wife, and one of them renews the promise of her bearing a son to him, which occasions laughter in her, for which she is reproved, Ge 18:9-15; upon their departure the Lord thought fit, for reasons given, to make known to Abraham his intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Ge 18:16-22; when Abraham intercedes for the preservation of those cities in a most importunate and affectionate manner, Ge 18:23-33.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 15

1. S Genesis 12:7; Acts 7:2
2. S Genesis 13:18; Genesis 14:13
3. Genesis 19:1; Genesis 23:10,18; Genesis 34:20,24; Ruth 4:1; Psalms 69:12; Hebrews 11:9
4. Genesis 24:63
5. ver 16,22; Genesis 19:1,10; Genesis 32:24; Joshua 5:13; Judges 13:6-11; Hosea 12:3-4; Hebrews 13:2
6. S Genesis 17:3; S Genesis 43:28
7. Genesis 19:19; Genesis 39:4; Ru 2:2,10,13; 1 Samuel 1:18; Esther 2:15
8. Ge 32:4,18,20; Genesis 33:5
9. Genesis 19:2; Genesis 24:32; Genesis 43:24; Judges 19:21; 2 Samuel 11:8; S Luke 7:44
10. Judges 13:15; Judges 19:5
11. Genesis 19:3; 2 Samuel 13:8
12. 1 Samuel 28:24; Luke 15:23
13. Isaiah 7:15,22
14. Judges 4:19; Judges 5:25
15. Judges 6:19; Genesis 19:3

Footnotes 2

[a]. Or "eyes, Lord"
[b]. That is, probably about 36 pounds or about 16 kilograms