Bible Commentaries
Genesis 18

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

plains = among the oaks of Mamre. Compare Genesis 13:18 ; Genesis 14:13 , and Genesis 18:8 .

sat = was sitting.

Verse 2

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 , Genesis 18:22 ).

Verse 3

LORD = Jehovah, not Adonai. See App-32 . But plural throughout Genesis 19:0 of the two.

Verse 4

wash your feet. A common practice to this day; needed from use of sandals and bare feet; Compare Genesis 24:32 ; Genesis 43:24 .

Verse 5

bread. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , put for food in general.

Verse 6

three measures. Note the No. 3. See Genesis 18:2 and App-10 .

cakes. Evidently unleavened.

Verse 7

ran. Such speedy hospitality common in the East.

Verse 8

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 ).

Verse 9

Where, &c. Translate "And as to Sarah thy wife . . . and he [interrupting] said, Lo! [she is] in the tent". See App-31 .

Verse 10

certainly return. Figure of speech Polyptoton (returning I will return) for emphasis.

lo! Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . heard. Hebrew was listening.

Verse 11

old. This explains how Rebekah, a granddaughter of Abraham's brother, should be old enough to marry Isaac, Abraham's son.

Verse 12

laughed. See note on Genesis 17:17 .

After. Figure of speech Erotesis.

my lord. Hebrew. Adon. See App-4 and compare 1 Peter 3:6 .

Verse 13

Wherefore? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 14

Is any thing? Figure of speech Erotesis.

hard = wonderful. A similar question and same Figure of speech used in Luke 1:37 .

time appointed. See note on Genesis 1:14 .

Verse 16

looked = looked down upon. Hebrew. shakaph. First occurance.

Verse 17

Shall I hide? Figure of speech Erotesis. Compare Amos 3:7 .

Verse 18

shall surely become. Hebrew "being shall be". Figure of speech Polyptoton See note on Genesis 26:28 .

nations. Another proof that the mystery (Ephesians 3:0 ) means more than Gentile blessing. Compare Genesis 22:18 .

Verse 19

that = how that.

command. Compare Psalms 78:1-8 .

Verse 20

cry. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .

Verse 21

I will go down = let us now go down. See Genesis 11:7 . Exodus 3:8 , all times of judgment.

the cry. Should be their outcry: with Septuagint, Targum of Onkelos, and ancient reading in MSS. called Sevir. See App-34 .

Verse 22

the men. Probably the two of Genesis 19:1 .

Abraham stood yet before the LORD. The primitive text read "Jehovah stood yet before Abraham. "One of the 18 emendations of the Sopherim. See App-33 .

Verse 23

also = even, or really. Note the 6 petitions in Abraham's prayer, verses: Genesis 18:24-32 . See App-10 .

wicked. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

Verse 24

Peradventure = perhaps.

Verse 25

earth. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). App-6 . "Earth" put for its inhabitants

Verse 27

LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Primitive Text was Jehovah, and the Sopherim changed it to Adonai. These are distinguished in the text by an asterisk, and printed LORD*. See list, App-32 .

dust and ashes. Figure of speech Meiosis. App-6 . Also Paronomasia (v'ephar 'aphar).

Verse 33

went His way. The same as the one who came in verses: Genesis 18:1 , Genesis 18:2 .