Genesis 18:2 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 18:2 kjv
And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
Genesis 18:2 nkjv
So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,
Genesis 18:2 niv
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.
Genesis 18:2 esv
He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth
Genesis 18:2 nlt
He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.
Genesis 18 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 13:18 | "Then Abram removed his tent... and built an altar to the Lord." | Abraham's residence by the oaks of Mamre. |
| Gen 18:1 | "The Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre..." | Sets the stage for divine encounter. |
| Gen 19:1 | "The two angels came to Sodom in the evening..." | Identifies two of the visitors as angels. |
| Heb 13:2 | "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." | Direct commentary on this event. |
| Matt 25:35-40 | "I was a stranger and you welcomed me... as you did to one of the least of these my brothers, you did to me." | Emphasizes hospitality to strangers as service to Christ. |
| Ex 3:5 | "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." | Reverence in divine presence. |
| Josh 5:14-15 | "The commander of the army of the Lord... said to Joshua, 'Take off your sandals...'" | Another encounter requiring reverence. |
| Ruth 2:10 | "Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him..." | Bowing as a gesture of deep respect. |
| 1 Sam 25:23 | "When Abigail saw David, she hurried and dismounted... and fell before David on her face..." | Another example of humble greeting. |
| Isa 6:1 | "I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up..." | Seeing the Lord's presence. |
| Rev 1:17 | "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead." | John's reaction to divine presence. |
| Ps 119:60 | "I hurried and did not delay to keep your commandments." | Readiness and promptness in service. |
| Deut 10:12-13 | "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you... to serve him with all your heart..." | Serving the Lord with eagerness. |
| Gal 6:10 | "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." | Call to general goodness, including hospitality. |
| Rom 12:13 | "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." | Specific command to practice hospitality. |
| 1 Pet 4:9 | "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." | Emphasizes the manner of hospitality. |
| Gen 43:28 | "And they said, 'Your servant our father is well...' and they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves." | Prostration as customary reverence. |
| John 13:13-14 | "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right... I have given you an example that you also should do." | Christ as the ultimate example of humble service. |
| Ps 42:1-2 | "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so my soul pants for you, O God." | Spiritual hunger and seeking God's presence. |
| Luke 19:5-6 | "When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down...'" | A divine visitor initiating interaction, followed by eager response. |
| Gen 22:3 | "So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey... and went to the place..." | Abraham's prompt obedience and readiness. |
| 1 Kings 17:15-16 | "So she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days." | Providing for a divine messenger. |
Genesis 18 verses
Genesis 18 2 meaning
Genesis 18:2 describes Abraham's immediate and hospitable reaction upon seeing three enigmatic visitors near his tent. He discerns their presence, rises without hesitation, and rushes to greet them, showing profound respect by bowing low to the ground. This act initiates a pivotal encounter.
Genesis 18 2 Context
Genesis 18 takes place at the Oaks of Mamre, where Abraham has settled (Gen 13:18). Just prior to this, Abraham, at 99 years old, had renewed his covenant with the Lord, which included the promise of a son through Sarah within the year, leading to the institution of circumcision (Gen 17). The verse specifically occurs during the heat of the day, a time when ancient Near Eastern inhabitants would rest, highlighting Abraham's watchfulness or attentiveness even in repose. The appearance of "three men" sets in motion a dramatic revelation: the confirmation of Isaac's birth, the judgment of Sodom, and a profound dialogue between Abraham and the Lord, demonstrating the deep relationship and trust between them. The broader cultural context underscores the immense value of hospitality to strangers, especially in arid regions, as a sacred duty and a mark of righteousness, often intertwined with protection and provision. This also functions as a subtle polemic against any beliefs that neglected such duties or mistreated the vulnerable.
Genesis 18 2 Word analysis
- He lifted up his eyes (וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו - vayyissa einav): This is a conscious act, not a casual glance. It suggests intentional observation, possibly vigilance even in the heat of the day. It denotes paying attention and perceiving something significant.
- and looked (וַיַּרְא - vayyar): This implies more than just seeing; it suggests an active perception and recognition of their presence.
- and behold (וְהִנֵּה - v'hinei): An interjection signaling something sudden, surprising, or noteworthy. It often precedes a divine appearance or a significant event, drawing the reader's immediate attention to what follows. It emphasizes the impactful nature of their appearance.
- three men (שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים - sheloshah anashim): The specific number is crucial. While Abraham initially sees them as men, the narrative later clarifies that one is the Lord Himself, and the other two are angels (Gen 18:13, 16, 22; Gen 19:1). This number has invited much theological speculation regarding a pre-incarnate appearance of the triune God, though the text primarily identifies "the Lord" speaking through one figure.
- standing over against him (נִצָּבִים עָלָיו - nitzavim alav): They were directly positioned before him, a sign of their intent to engage. This suggests a direct encounter and a challenge or opportunity for Abraham's response.
- and when he saw them, he ran (וַיַּרְא וַיָּרָץ - vayyar vayyaratz): A powerful demonstration of eager, proactive hospitality. The immediate transition from "seeing" to "running" signifies swift and heartfelt response, overriding his prior state of rest.
- to meet them (לִקְרָאתָם - likratam): He moved towards them, taking the initiative to welcome rather than waiting for them to approach or signal. This proactive action underscores his genuine desire to serve.
- from the tent door (מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל - mippethach ha'ohel): His place of rest or watchfulness. He left his comfort to attend to strangers.
- and bowed himself toward the ground (וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ אָרְצָה - vayyishtachavv artza): This gesture is a deep prostration, signaling profound humility, reverence, and honor. It was a common act of respect towards esteemed guests or superiors, but in this context, it takes on even greater significance due to the identity of one of the visitors.
Genesis 18 2 Bonus section
The seemingly casual appearance of "three men" by Abraham's tent highlights God's preference for meeting humanity in ordinary ways and places. This encounter subtly points to the intimate and relational nature of God's interaction with His chosen. It sets the stage for a unique theophany, where the Lord speaks not in fire or earthquake, but in human form and in conversational dialogue with His servant, Abraham. This encounter not only underscores the theme of hospitality but also foreshadows the doctrine of divine imminence—God's nearness to His creation—and arguably, by some interpretations, hints at the plurality within the Godhead through the simultaneous presence of three figures, one explicitly identified as "the Lord."
Genesis 18 2 Commentary
Genesis 18:2 encapsulates Abraham's profound character—his spiritual perceptiveness, innate humility, and fervent commitment to hospitality. Amidst the scorching midday heat, a time typically for rest, Abraham is attentive and observant, suggesting an inward spiritual posture of readiness to perceive God's working. His swift response—immediately running from his tent door and bowing low—is a vivid demonstration of eager service. This is not mere cultural custom but an exemplary display of welcoming the stranger, an act of faith through which Abraham unknowingly (Heb 13:2) or perhaps divinely-prompted recognizes a special presence. This episode prefigures the truth that God often draws near to those whose hearts are open to serving others, preparing them for deeper revelation and conversation. Abraham's actions illustrate the blessedness of readiness and genuine reverence in the face of a divine visitation.