Genesis 18:4 kjv

Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

Genesis 18:4 nkjv

Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.

Genesis 18:4 niv

Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.

Genesis 18:4 esv

Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,

Genesis 18:4 nlt

Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet.

Genesis 18 verses

Genesis 18 4 Meaning

Genesis 18:4 captures Abraham's spontaneous and humble offering of hospitality to the three mysterious visitors who appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre. It details his invitation for them to refresh themselves after their journey. Specifically, he requests that a small amount of water be brought for them to wash their dust-laden feet, a common and essential courtesy in that arid climate and period. Furthermore, he offers them a place to recline and rest comfortably in the shade provided by the tree, anticipating their weary state. This brief verse sets the stage for a profound divine encounter, revealing Abraham's spiritual readiness and an essential act of biblical hospitality.

Genesis 18 4 Context

Genesis chapter 18 opens with the Lord appearing to Abraham at the terebinth trees of Mamre, near his encampment. This appearance takes the form of three men. The preceding chapter, Genesis 17, details God's covenant with Abraham, instituting circumcision as a sign and re-emphasizing the promise of a son through Sarah within a year. Genesis 18:4 is Abraham's immediate response of profound courtesy and care upon seeing these weary travelers. Culturally and historically, hospitality was paramount in the ancient Near East, especially in nomadic or semi-nomadic societies where safe inns were scarce. Travelers depended on the kindness of strangers. Foot washing was a standard act of service offered to guests, cleaning away the dust from sandal-clad feet on unpaved roads. Providing rest under a tree offered much-needed shade from the oppressive sun. Abraham, not yet fully aware of his visitors' true identity, nonetheless acts with swift and generous hospitality, demonstrating his righteous character and readiness to serve, a trait that makes him worthy of the subsequent divine revelation about the birth of Isaac and the judgment of Sodom.

Genesis 18 4 Word analysis

• Please (Nāʾ (נָא)): This small Hebrew particle conveys entreaty, courtesy, and often adds urgency or emphasis. It highlights Abraham's deferential and polite request, indicative of his respectful demeanor towards strangers, perhaps even a hint that he instinctively perceived their significant status.
• let a little water be brought (Yūqqaḥ-nāʾ-meṭ mayim (יֻקַּח־נָא מְעַט־מַיִם)):
  • a little water: (Meṭ mayim) "Little" emphasizes humility and perhaps, falsely, suggests the insignificance of what he offered. However, water was precious in this desert climate, and offering any water was an act of generosity. It contrasts with the elaborate feast Abraham swiftly prepares, suggesting his initial humility or a test.
  • be brought: (Yūqqaḥ) A passive verb, "let be taken/brought." This implies Abraham himself is not directly performing the fetching but ordering his servants, yet he personally ensures the act of hospitality.
• and wash (Weraḥaṣu (וְרַחֲצוּ)): "To wash," a common term for cleaning, specifically here, washing dust from feet. It speaks of refreshment and basic care.
• your feet (Ragleychem (רַגְלֵיכֶם)): The direct object. Feet were particularly vulnerable to dirt and fatigue in the dusty conditions of ancient travel without proper enclosed footwear. Washing feet was a necessary and customary act of personal hygiene upon arrival, showing practical care and deference to guests.
• and rest yourselves (Wahišʿanū (וְהִשָּׁעֲנוּ)): This word means "to lean back," "to recline," "to be supported," implying deep relaxation and comfortable rest. It signifies more than just stopping; it implies finding true repose. This offer of physical ease reflects Abraham's concern for their well-being.
• under the tree (Taḥat haʿēṣ (תַּחַת הָעֵץ)): "The tree" refers specifically to the terebinth trees of Mamre, providing essential shade from the desert sun. It's a natural shelter, offering protection and comfort, symbolizing security and refreshment from the harsh elements of their journey.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet": This entire phrase conveys immediate, necessary, and culturally appropriate hospitality. It shows Abraham's quick discernment of the visitors' most immediate need and his eagerness to serve them, no matter how humble the initial offering seemed. It underscores a key aspect of ancient Middle Eastern welcome for weary travelers.
• "and rest yourselves under the tree": This adds the critical element of comfort and repose. Beyond just cleaning, Abraham offers a place for weary travelers to genuinely recuperate and relax in the protective shade, anticipating their needs for genuine rest before further interaction or journey. This holistic care for both their physical and emotional states demonstrates profound thoughtfulness and a welcoming spirit.

Genesis 18 4 Bonus section

• The immediacy of Abraham's response (as seen in Genesis 18:6-8, where he rushes to prepare a more substantial meal) indicates a spirit not merely of obligation but of genuine delight in extending kindness. This "running" action underscores his fervent zeal.
• In biblical symbolism, "washing feet" often signifies purification after travel or service, as well as a humble act of servitude. Jesus' washing of His disciples' feet (John 13) powerfully redefines leadership as servant leadership, directly echoing the humility inherent in this ancient practice of hospitality shown by Abraham.
• The "tree" providing shade can be seen as a natural sanctuary. In a theological sense, God often met Abraham and others near prominent trees, which could represent stability, life, or places of encounter with the divine. The very ground Abraham was offering his guests rest upon was soon to be revealed as a place of divine judgment, highlighting God's patient interaction before wrath.
• The entire encounter, starting with Abraham's offer of humble service, illustrates God's principle of first appearing as "lesser" to observe human response before revealing His full glory or purpose. This highlights divine condescension and human responsibility.

Genesis 18 4 Commentary

Genesis 18:4 offers a concise yet powerful snapshot of Abraham's exemplary hospitality, an act of such spiritual significance that it is echoed throughout the biblical narrative, particularly in the New Testament (Hebrews 13:2). Abraham, "father of many nations," here models humility, proactive service, and a watchful heart that recognizes need, even divine need, among strangers. The simple acts of offering water for foot washing and a place to rest under a tree were basic necessities for ancient travelers, yet in Abraham's offering, they become profound gestures. The dirtied feet symbolize life's weary journey, and their washing represents cleansing and renewal. The offer of rest under the tree speaks to providing shelter, safety, and respite from life's burdens and the "heat" of the world. This moment transcends mere social etiquette; it foreshadows the posture of the righteous, always ready to serve, extending kindness to the unknown, and thereby, unwittingly serving God Himself. Abraham's swift and generous response set him apart and was integral to his relationship with the Almighty, proving his faithfulness even in the simplest of actions before being entrusted with a monumental revelation. It's a timeless call to Christian discipleship: welcoming the stranger and serving the humble, for in so doing, one ministers to Christ Himself.