Genesis 18:26 kjv

And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

Genesis 18:26 nkjv

So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes."

Genesis 18:26 niv

The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."

Genesis 18:26 esv

And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake."

Genesis 18:26 nlt

And the LORD replied, "If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake."

Genesis 18 verses

Genesis 18 26 Meaning

(as paragraph)In Genesis 18:26, the Lord declares to Abraham that He would spare the entire city of Sodom, and all its surrounding area, if a minimum of fifty righteous individuals were found within it. This statement reveals God's profound character of both perfect justice and immense mercy, demonstrating His willingness to withhold severe judgment on a wicked populace for the sake of a faithful few residing among them. It marks the initial conditional threshold in a significant divine dialogue with Abraham, highlighting the potential for vicarious salvation based on righteousness.

Genesis 18 26 Context

(as paragraph)Genesis chapter 18 details a pivotal encounter between Abraham and the Lord, who appears with two angels disguised as men. After Abraham shows them exceptional hospitality, the Lord reveals His intent to visit Sodom and Gomorrah due to the outcry against their wickedness. Verses 17-19 establish Abraham's special relationship with God as a prophet and friend, chosen to know God's plans. This intimate connection leads to Abraham's daring intercession, where he begins to question God's justice, starting with a large number (fifty) of righteous individuals. This specific verse, Genesis 18:26, is the Lord's direct response to Abraham's first plea, setting the initial condition for Sodom's salvation and initiating a unique divine negotiation. Historically, cities like Sodom often reflected significant moral decline, making God's direct, personal judgment upon them a demonstration of His moral governance, distinct from the capricious deities of surrounding cultures.

Genesis 18 26 Word analysis

(as ul)

• And the Lord: The Hebrew וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה (vayyomer YHWH) signifies God's direct, personal address. "YHWH" (the Tetragrammaton) emphasizes the covenant-keeping, relational God who is acting, not an arbitrary deity. This is a personal revelation and negotiation.
• said: וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyomer) is a standard verbal form indicating a direct speech act, signifying God's authoritative declaration.
• If I find: אֶמְצָא (emtsa') meaning "I will find" or "I find," suggests a process of discovery or a condition being met. It highlights God's thoroughness; He doesn't act without knowing the truth (Gen 18:21).
• in Sodom: בִּסְדֹם (bis'dom), specifically names the primary city, known for its extreme wickedness and setting the stage for divine judgment.
• fifty: חֲמִשִּׁים (chamishshim), this exact number represents a significant quantity but also serves as Abraham's starting point for negotiation, reflecting a large enough group to possibly influence or represent a core of righteousness.
• righteous: צַדִּיקִים (tsaddiqim), plural for "just" or "righteous ones." In this context, it implies those who live in alignment with God's moral standards, whose character and conduct are upright, similar to how Abraham himself was declared righteous by faith (Gen 15:6). They are not sinless, but morally distinct within the community.
• within the city: בְּתוֹךְ הָעִיר (b'tokh ha'iyr), literally "in the midst of the city." This indicates their physical presence and distinct moral stance amidst widespread depravity, suggesting their light within darkness.
• then I will spare: וְנָשָׂאתִי (w'nasa'ti) means "I will lift up," "bear away," but also "pardon" or "forgive." Here, it directly signifies averting or rescinding the planned destruction. It expresses divine mercy based on a condition.
• all the place: כָּל הַמָּקוֹם (kol hammakom), meaning "the whole place" or "entire region," indicating God's comprehensive mercy would extend beyond just Sodom to the surrounding cities and land if the condition was met.
• for their sakes: בַּעֲבוּרָם (ba'avuram), literally "on account of them." This crucial phrase establishes the principle of vicarious merit or benefit: the salvation of the unrighteous multitude because of the presence of the righteous minority. It highlights God's grace through the few.

(words-group by words-group analysis data)

• "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous": This phrase underscores God's commitment to investigation before judgment, revealing His impartial and just nature. It implies a 'searching out' or 'proving' process. It also initiates a conditional covenant: salvation for Sodom rests upon this moral threshold.
• "within the city, then I will spare all the place": The conditionality here emphasizes that the righteous minority's presence has a protective and redemptive influence far beyond their own persons. Their existence acts as a spiritual barrier against the overwhelming tide of evil, offering grace to the broader community. The "place" refers to the entire region targeted for judgment.
• "for their sakes": This is a core theological principle revealed: God's mercy extends vicariously through the righteous. The fate of the many can be bound up in the faith and obedience of the few. This prefigures later biblical themes of intercession and the saving power of a righteous remnant. It's not about the wicked deserving salvation, but God's character allowing it through the presence of righteousness.

Genesis 18 26 Bonus section

(as paragraph)This dialogue in Genesis 18 stands as a profound revelation of God's judicial nature and His willingness to engage in rational, morally consistent communication with humanity, especially with His chosen servant, Abraham. Unlike the often whimsical and self-serving deities depicted in ancient Near Eastern myths, Yahweh operates according to justice and righteousness, willing to investigate thoroughly before acting decisively (Gen 18:21). The fact that God initiates the sharing of His judgment plan with Abraham (Gen 18:17) signifies the high regard and unique covenant relationship between them. This interaction is didactic, teaching Abraham (and subsequent generations) about God's patient nature and His desire for an intercessor. The reduction in numbers during Abraham's continued pleading (though Gen 18:26 focuses on the initial fifty) further demonstrates God's abundant willingness to descend in His conditions for mercy. It implies a divine yearning for righteousness, showing that even a few faithful ones hold immense weight in the eyes of God, holding back divine judgment due to the principle of "for their sakes."

Genesis 18 26 Commentary

(as paragraph)Genesis 18:26 encapsulates the profound tension and balance within God's character: His perfect justice necessitates judgment on wickedness, yet His boundless mercy seeks every opportunity to offer grace. God's declaration to Abraham, establishing a threshold of fifty righteous people to spare Sodom, reveals that divine judgment is not arbitrary but conditioned upon human moral standing. The inclusion of "for their sakes" underscores the extraordinary concept of vicarious blessing—the unrighteous benefitting from the mere presence of the righteous. This shows God's profound desire for a righteous remnant to act as moral salt and light within society, preserving it from corruption and impending doom. The narrative unfolds not only God's character but also the power of faithful intercession, beginning with Abraham's audacious plea rooted in his understanding of God's righteous nature. This verse teaches that God waits, searches, and longs to find a reason, a point of righteousness, to extend mercy rather than inflict immediate, deserved wrath. It prompts us to consider the impact of righteous living within a fallen world, reminding believers of their vital role as preservers of society.