Genesis 18:24 kjv

Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?

Genesis 18:24 nkjv

Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?

Genesis 18:24 niv

What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?

Genesis 18:24 esv

Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?

Genesis 18:24 nlt

Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city ? will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes?

Genesis 18 verses

Genesis 18 24 Meaning

Genesis 18:24 encapsulates Abraham's daring yet humble plea to God regarding the impending judgment on Sodom. It introduces Abraham's foundational question, positing that if even fifty righteous individuals were found within the city, surely God, in His perfect justice, would not destroy the righteous alongside the wicked, thereby sparing the entire place for their sake. This verse sets the stage for Abraham's ongoing intercession, revealing his deep understanding of God's character as both just and merciful, and challenging what he perceived as a potential affront to divine justice.

Genesis 18 24 Context

Genesis chapter 18 details a significant divine encounter at Mamre, where the Lord, accompanied by two angels, visits Abraham. This visit brings the reconfirmation of Isaac's birth and Sarah's subsequent reaction. Crucially, the narrative then shifts to God revealing His intention to investigate and, if found worthy of judgment, to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their grave sin. This disclosure prompts Abraham, referred to earlier by the Lord as "friend" and one with whom God should not hide His plans, to engage in a profound intercession. Verse 24 marks the beginning of Abraham's audacious negotiation with God, demonstrating his profound understanding of God's character as just. He intercedes for the unrighteous by appealing to the potential presence of a small number of righteous individuals. This context highlights the weight of Sodom's sin and the singular privilege of Abraham's intimacy with God, enabling him to advocate for the condemned cities.

Genesis 18 24 Word analysis

• Peradventure (אולי - ulai): Signifies a tentative, hopeful, or uncertain proposition. It implies Abraham's humility and politeness in approaching the Almighty, presenting a hypothetical scenario for God's consideration.
• there be: Denotes existence or the presence of. It underscores the condition upon which Abraham's plea hinges—the mere existence of righteous persons.
• fifty (חמשים - chamishshim): Represents a numerical benchmark Abraham presents, likely chosen as a significant, round figure. It suggests a substantial group, forming the initial basis for his negotiation, implicitly challenging the scope of divine judgment.
• righteous (צדיקים - tzaddiqim): Plural of tzaddiq, meaning "just, righteous, upright, innocent." These are individuals in right standing with God, exhibiting moral rectitude and obedience to divine will. Their presence is the saving criterion, highlighting God's value for holiness and the upright. This term is central to the ethical dilemma Abraham poses.
• within the city (בתוך העיר - b'tok ha'ir): Specifies the location. The issue is not just individual righteousness in isolation, but the potential presence of righteous individuals within a corrupted entity, making them a point of divine consideration for the entire place.
• wilt Thou also destroy (האף תספה - ha'aph tispeh):
  • ha'aph: An interrogative expressing surprise, disbelief, or a strong emotional appeal, meaning "indeed also" or "will you really?". It conveys Abraham's wrestling with God's action.
  • tispeh: Means "to sweep away, to consume, to perish, to make an end of." The term implies utter destruction and elimination. Abraham's question probes God's method of judgment.
• and not spare (ולא תשא - v'lo tissa):
  • tissa: From the root nasa', meaning "to lift, bear, carry." In this context, it means "to lift (the punishment), forgive, spare, remit, withhold." Abraham questions if God would fail to relent or hold back His judgment even for the sake of the righteous. It highlights the divine attribute of clemency.
• the place (למקום - la'maqom): Refers to the city of Sodom. This phrase encapsulates the object of the impending judgment and the focus of Abraham's plea for its preservation as a whole entity.
• for the fifty righteous that are therein: This phrase reaffirms the core of Abraham's argument: the presence of the righteous should be the basis for extending mercy and avoiding complete destruction, implicitly appealing to God's inherent nature of justice that distinguishes between the wicked and the just.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city": This phrase establishes the specific condition of Abraham's intercession. It's a speculative proposal based on the presence of righteous individuals as a mitigating factor against universal destruction, indicating Abraham's understanding of God's value for the righteous.
• "wilt Thou also destroy and not spare the place": This is Abraham's direct and deeply poignant question. It frames God's potential action as problematic if it does not differentiate between the wicked and the righteous, implicitly challenging God to act in accordance with His known character of perfect justice.
• "for the fifty righteous that are therein?": This reiterates the grounds for Abraham's appeal for mercy. It implies that the very existence of even a few righteous persons within the city should influence the divine verdict on the entire population, emphasizing the corporate impact of righteousness.

Genesis 18 24 Bonus section

• The dialogue between Abraham and God serves as a didactic lesson for all believers, illustrating God's meticulous justice and His infinite patience, allowing Abraham to reduce the number repeatedly. It demonstrates that God is not eager to condemn, but seeks any justifiable reason to extend grace.
• Abraham's willingness to "stand before the Lord" (Gen 18:22) is a testament to his intimacy and confidence as the "friend of God," enabling such an audacious challenge to divine plans. This relationship is foundational for such an intercession to occur.
• This passage implies a universal theological truth: God's justice never violates His nature. He will not indiscriminately destroy the righteous with the wicked, setting a crucial precedent for understanding divine judgment throughout the Bible.
• The search for a righteous "remnant" or "salt" that preserves is a recurring theme in the Scriptures (Isa 1:9, Jer 5:1, Matt 5:13), suggesting the crucial spiritual and moral influence that even a few faithful individuals can exert upon a broader community or nation, preventing complete collapse or judgment.

Genesis 18 24 Commentary

Genesis 18:24 forms the cornerstone of Abraham's celebrated intercession, articulating a profound theological principle: God’s justice distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked. Abraham’s bold yet humble question, "Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?", resonates with an understanding that the Divine Judge acts with perfect equity. It posits that the mere presence of righteous individuals within a community could serve as a moral leverage point for God's sparing grace, showcasing divine mercy even amidst deserved judgment. This principle speaks to God's desire for redemption over destruction where a basis for it exists. However, it also foreshadows the tragic reality of Sodom, where even the reduced number of ten righteous could not be found, confirming the utter depth of their sin and the necessity of divine judgment. This dialogue ultimately serves to affirm God's character; He would indeed separate the righteous from the wicked, not destroy them indiscriminately. It highlights the power of intercession and God’s willingness to listen and engage with His covenant friend, even as He retains His ultimate sovereignty and just resolve.