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Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Genesis 18:27

Verse Genesis 18:27. Which am but dust and ashes] עפר ואפר aphar vaepher, words very similar in sound, as they refer to matters which so much resemble each other. Dust - the lightest particles of earth. Ashes - the residuum of consumed substances. By these expressions he shows how deeply his soul was humbled in the presence of God. He who has high thoughts of himself must have low thoughts of the dignity of the Divine nature, of the majesty of God, and the sinfulness of sin.

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See also Genesis 18:27 in other biblical comments:

  • 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

    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...

  • 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...

  • B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

    PERADVENTURE THERE SHALL LACK FIVE OF THE FIFTY RIGHTEOUS. The earnestness, and at the same time the exceeding humility, of Abraham's intercession, present. worthy example to the suppliants at the thr...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    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...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _dust and ashes_ Two alliterative words in the Heb. (_âphar va-êpher_) which defy reproduction in English: cf. Genesis 1:2; Genesis 4:14. For the dust of man's frame, cf. Genesis 2:7;...

  • 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

    _GENESIS 18:27_, &C. _BEHOLD NOW, I HAVE TAKEN UPON ME TO SPEAK,_ &C.— While other givers expect we should be satisfied, God, when he gives, expects and is pleased that we ask for more. Behold, 1. Abr...

  • 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

    _PERADVENTURE THERE BE FIFTY RIGHTEOUS WITHIN THE CITY: WILT THOU ALSO DESTROY AND NOT SPARE THE PLACE FOR THE FIFTY RIGHTEOUS THAT ARE THEREIN?_ No JFB commentary on these verses....

  • 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...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLE GENESIS _ALUN OWEN_ CHAPTER 18 GOD VISITS ABRAHAM V1 The *Lord appeared to Abraham. Abraham was near to the big trees at Mamre. He sat at the door of his tent. It was in the...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    Abraham said, ‘I am only dust and ashes.’ He meant that he was worth nothing. And God was very much greater than he was. And Abraham meant that he was only a man. God had made man from dust. (See Gene...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וַ יַּ֥עַן אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַ יֹּאמַ֑ר הִנֵּה ־נָ֤

  • 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...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which [am (n) but] dust and ashes: (n) By this we learn, that the nearer we approach to God, the more our miser...

  • 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

    27._Which am but dust and ashes_. Abraham speaks thus for the sake of obtaining pardon. For what is mortal man when compared with God? He therefore confesses that he is too bold, in thus familiarly in...

  • 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 ANSWERED AND SAID,.... In a very humble and modest manner, encouraged by the answer given him: BEHOLD NOW, I HAVE TAKEN UPON ME TO SPEAK UNTO THE LORD; suggesting that it was bold and dar...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which [am but] dust and ashes: Ver. 27. _Which am but dust and ashes._] _Gnaphar veephar_, χονις _et cinus_; no...

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

    _Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes_ He speaks as one amazed at his own boldness, and the liberty God graciously allowed him, considering God's greatnes...

  • 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

    And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION...

  • 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

    In regard of the composition of my body, which was taken out of the dust, and shall return into it again. See Genesis 3:19 Job 4:19 Ecclesiastes 12:7...

  • 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 18:27 Abraham H85 answered H6030 (H8799) said H559 (H8799) I H595 dust H6083 ashes H665 myself...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And Yahweh said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city then will I spare all for their sake.' Yahweh confirms Abraham's faith in His justice. If there are fifty righteous within the ci...

  • 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

    _But dust and ashes_ ABRAHAM INTERCEDING I. THE TRUE POSTURE FOR A SINNER, AT THE THRONE OF GRACE. He must lie low, and aim high. You see this in the behaviour of Abraham on the present occasion. Th...

  • 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 18:26 God eventually affirms that FOR THE SAKE OF TEN I WILL NOT DESTROY Sodom (v. Genesis 18:32). He assures Abraham that he will not pu

  • 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

    I have. Genesis 18:30 Ezra 9:6 Job 42:6 Isaiah 6:5 Luke 18:1 dust....

  • 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

    Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes — He speaks as one amazed at his own boldness, and the liberty God graciously allowed him, considering God's greatnes...

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