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EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

Genesis 18:23

By this prayer, Abraham changed what God intended to do. Before Abraham’s prayer, God intended to destroy Sodom if some inhabitants were wicked. After Abraham’s prayer, he intended to save Sodom if there were 10 good inhabitants. So our prayers can change what happens. But Abraham could not have prayed like this if God had not told him his plan. So God and Abraham were working together.

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See also Genesis 18:23 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Genesis 18:23. _WILT THOU ALSO DESTROY THE RIGHTEOUS WITH THE WICKED?_] A form of speech similar to that in Genesis 18:17, an invariable principle of justice, that the righteous shall not be pu...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    - 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 prostratio...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    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...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    GENESIS 12:1 TO GENESIS 25:18. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM. In this section the three main sources, J. E, P are present. Gunkel has given strong reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    Apart from the insertions (Genesis 18:17; Genesis 18:22 _b_ - Genesis 18:33_ a_) the story went on to say that Abraham accompanied his guests, and Yahweh told him that he was going down to Sodom to as...

  • B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

    ABRAHAM PLEADING FOR SODOM. -- Genesis 18:23-33. GOLDEN TEXT. --_ In wrath remember mercy._ -- Habakkuk 3:2. TIME. --About B. C. 1897. PLACE. --At Abraham's encampment; near Hebron. HELPFUL READINGS....

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    ALSO. even, or really. Note the. petitions in Abraham's prayer, verses: Genesis 18:24. See App-10. WICKED. Hebrew. _rasha'._ App-44....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _Abraham drew near_ Abraham's intercession comes as a reply to Jehovah's statement in Genesis 18:20, from which the doom of the cities might be inferred. It forms one of the most striking and pathetic...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Colloquy of Jehovah with Abraham, &c. (J.) 16. _looked toward Sodom_ The idea is that of directing the gaze from an eminence. A view of the Dead Sea is to be obtained from the hills in the neighbourh...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    AND ABRAHAM DREW NEAR, &C.— As well by the external reverence of his body as the internal reverence of his mind: _to draw near to God_ is often used for the internal application of the soul to him. Je...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PART THIRTY-ONE THE STORY OF ABRAHAM: THE PATRIARCH AS INTERCESSOR Genesis 18:1-33 1. _Abraham as the Gracious Host_ (Genesis 18:1-8) 1 And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _AND ABRAHAM DREW NEAR, AND SAID, WILT THOU ALSO DESTROY THE RIGHTEOUS WITH THE WICKED?_ And Abraham drew near. The traditional spot where this memorable intercession was made is called Caphar baruch...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE VISIT OF THE ANGELS TO ABRAHAM. THE JUDGMENT OF SODOM ANNOUNCED. ABRAHAM INTERCEDES ON ITS BEHALF In this beautiful narrative the writer dwells on the unique revelations of God's purposes with whi...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    ABRAHAM DREW NEAR. — As Jewish commentators remark, this word is especially used of prayer, and Abraham’s intercession is unspeakably noble. Nor must we suppose that he thought only of Lot. Doubtless...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וַ יִּגַּ֥שׁ אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַ יֹּאמַ֑ר הַ אַ֣ף

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION FOR SODOM Genesis 18:1 THE scene with which this chapter opens is one familiar to the observer of nomad life in the East. During the scorching heat and glaring light of noon, w...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    ABRAHAM PLEADS FOR SODOM Genesis 18:16 Christ had visited Abraham's tent, but He did more. He trusted him with His secrets, and led him almost unconsciously to a degree of faith and prayer that was f...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This is the account of the sixth appearance of God to Abraham. In it four phases of relationship between God and Abraham are revealed. God visited Abraham and Abraham provided for Him. God bestowed on...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    ABRAHAM'S APPEAL FOR TWO CITIES After repeating the promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah, God told Abraham of his plans to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He may have done that because Abraham was his fr...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    We have had hitherto God's account of that which He had made; then the trial and utter ruin of the creature, with the revelation of divine mercy in Christ the Lord. We have had in fine the judgment of...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    23._Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? _It is certain that when God chastises the body of a people, he often involves the good and the reprobate in the same punishment. So Daniel, E...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Chapter 18 is again a new unfolding of God's ways, here especially in connection with the seed, already in a general way, as part of God's purpose that it should be Abraham's seed according to grace a...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND ABRAHAM DREW NEAR,.... To the Lord; he approached nearer to him, to have more close and intimate conversation with him on the subject of the destruction of Sodom, which he perceived, by what had b...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Ver. 23. _And Abraham drew near._] A privilege proper to such as have "a true heart," "full assurance of faith,...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Abraham drew near_ This expression intimates a holy concern, and a holy confidence; he drew near with _an assurance of faith._...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Abraham entertaineth three Angels. 9 Sarah is reproued for laughing at the strange promise. 17 The destruction of Sodome is reuealed to Abraham. 23 Abraham maketh intercession for the men thereof...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    And Abraham drew near and said, Wilt Thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? It was a holy boldness which Abraham here displayed, both in drawing near to the Lord until he stood face to face...

  • Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures

    SEVENTH SECTION _Abraham in the Oak-Grove of Mamre, and the three Heavenly Men. Hospitality of Abraham. The definite announcement of the birth of a Son. Sarah’s Doubt. The announcement of the judgmen...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    A DIVINE VISITATION Though previous to this chapter we read twice of the Lord appearing to Abraham (ch.13:7; 17:1), we are not told in what way He appeared. Now, in chapter 18 we are faced with what i...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    23-33 Here is the first solemn prayer upon record in the Bible; and it is a prayer for the sparing of Sodom. Abraham prayed earnestly that Sodom might be spared, if but a few righteous persons should...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    i.e. He approached unto God to inquire of him, and to pray unto him; for so the phrase of _drawing near to God_ is used, 1 Samuel 14:36 Psalms 73:28 Isaiah 29:13...

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    This chapter affords a beautiful exemplification of the results of an obedient, separated walk. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to hi...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Genesis 18:23 Abraham H85 near H5066 (H8799) said H559 (H8799) destroy H5595 (H8799) righteous H6662 with...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And Abraham drew near and said, “Will you consume the righteous with the wicked? It may be that there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you consume, and not spare the place for the fifty righ...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    NEAR Communion vs. (Genesis 18:23); and intercession go together....

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Genesis 18:17. And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Abraham, the friend of God. Promise of the seed renewed. The plea of Sodom. CHARACTERS: God, Sarah, Abraham. CONCLUSION: The closer the believer walks with God, the more he will know of Go...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Genesis 18:1. _The plains,_ or the oak, _of Mamre,_ which became a far-famed place, because of Abraham's intercourse with the heavenly guests. Genesis 18:2. _Three men._ The manners of the east, and t...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Abraham stood yet before the Lord_ ABRAHAM’S INTERCESSION FOR SODOM The intercession of Abraham is the first prayer that the Bible records; and in its great characteristics, human and spiritual, it...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 18:16 The Lord reveals to Abraham his plan to destroy Sodom and then carries out that plan. Through Abraham’s intercession, Lot and his two daughters escape. The city’s destruc...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 18:23 Abraham’s response is probably prompted by his concern for Lot. Abraham wonders if God intends to destroy the righteous along with the wicked. ⇐

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 18:23. The righteous with the wicked.] _Heb._ A righteous man with a wicked one (Numbers 16:19; Psalms 11:4)....

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GENESIS 18:23 AND ABRAHAM DREW NEAR. I_.e._ to Jehovah; not simply locally, but also spiritually. The religious use of יִגַּשּׁ as a performing religious services to God, or a pious turnin...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day (Genesis 18:1); And it can get awfully hot. And he lifted up his eyes and he looked, and, beh...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    drew. Psalms 73:28 Jeremiah 30:21 Hebrews 10:22 James 5:17 Wilt. Gene

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    ABRAHAM PLEADING FOR SODOM Genesis 18:23 INTRODUCTORY WORDS Here we have one of the Bible's most clarifying messages on prayer. We suggest several things in a general way. The sub-topics will discu...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE PRAYER OF ABRAHAM FOR LOT Genesis 18:17 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. The Lord appeared unto Abraham. As we approach this remarkable 18th chapter of Genesis we do not find the first time that the Lord e...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Abraham drew near — This expression intimates, A holy concern. A holy confidence; he drew near with an assurance of faith, drew near as a prince, Job 31:37....

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