Genesis 18:6 kjv

And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

Genesis 18:6 nkjv

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes."

Genesis 18:6 niv

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread."

Genesis 18:6 esv

And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes."

Genesis 18:6 nlt

So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, "Hurry! Get three large measures of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some bread."

Genesis 18 verses

Genesis 18 6 Meaning

Genesis 18:6 describes Abraham's immediate, eager, and extravagant response to his divine visitors' request for food. He swiftly directs Sarah to prepare a large quantity of the finest flour into cakes, showcasing profound hospitality, unwavering obedience, and a selfless partnership in service towards God. It highlights Abraham's alacrity in serving heavenly guests, setting the stage for momentous revelations to follow.

Genesis 18 6 Context

Genesis 18:6 is situated immediately after Abraham, sitting at his tent door in the heat of the day (Gen 18:1), perceives three men approaching him. Recognizing the significance of his guests—one identified as the Lord and two as angels—he runs to meet them, bowing low and imploring them to accept his hospitality: to rest under a tree and be refreshed with water and bread (Gen 18:2-5). This verse (Gen 18:6) is Abraham's direct and vigorous action following that invitation, illustrating his profound eagerness to serve and honor his mysterious visitors. It sets the practical scene for the subsequent pivotal conversations regarding Sarah's pregnancy and the divine judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. The swift, abundant preparations underpin the solemnity and importance of the upcoming revelations.

Genesis 18 6 Word analysis

• Abraham: The patriarch, recipient of God's covenant promises. His name means "father of a multitude."
• hurried (מַהֵר - maher): An adverb indicating extreme haste and promptness. Not merely walking but running quickly, demonstrating zeal and urgency. It shows his eager willingness to serve the visitors.
• into the tent (אֶל-הָאֹהֶל - 'el ha'ohel): The tent served as the family's dwelling and the center of Abraham's nomadic life. It implies his rapid movement from welcoming outside to coordinating inside the home.
• to Sarah (שָׂרָה - Sarah): Abraham's wife and partner in the covenant. Her name means "princess." Her active participation highlights her indispensable role in the domestic affairs and the execution of hospitality.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): Signifies direct communication and command.
• "Quickly! (מַהֲרִי - mahali):" An imperative, reiterating the urgency and reflecting Abraham's eagerness. It echoes his own maher.
• Three (שְׁלֹשׁ - shlosh): A significant number, often associated with completeness or divine actions in the Bible (e.g., Trinity, three days resurrection).
• seahs (סְאִים - se'im): A dry measure of capacity, approximately 7.3 liters. Three seahs would be about 22 liters, equivalent to about 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of flour. This is an enormous quantity, enough for 20-30 large loaves, indicating extreme generosity and desire to provide an abundant feast.
• of fine flour (קֶמַח סֹלֶת - kemach solet): Solet refers to the finest, whitest wheat flour. It was considered superior quality, often reserved for royal tables or sacred offerings (e.g., Lev 2:1-2 for grain offerings). This choice signifies Abraham's desire to give the absolute best to his guests, reflecting deep honor and respect.
• "Knead it (לוּשִׁי - lushi):" An imperative command to Sarah to perform the labor-intensive act of mixing and preparing the dough. It indicates her skill and direct involvement in food preparation.
• "and make cakes (וַעֲשִׂי עֻגוֹת - va'asi 'ugot):" Ugot were thin, round flatbreads or loaves, likely baked quickly on hot stones or ashes, suitable for nomadic life and swift preparation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah": This phrase emphasizes Abraham's decisive and swift action, his direct communication with his wife, and the clear division of labor in the household for such an important task.
• "Quickly! Three seahs of fine flour!": The exclamation and the quantity chosen highlight the urgency, the extraordinary generosity, and the emphasis on quality. It's not just "bread" but the best bread in ample measure.
• "Knead it and make cakes": These precise instructions delineate Sarah's crucial and demanding task in preparing the bread, demonstrating the joint effort and collaboration required for Abraham's extravagant hospitality.

Genesis 18 6 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "fine flour," soleth (סֹלֶת), found here, appears almost exclusively in the Pentateuch, especially in Leviticus and Numbers, where it designates the flour used for the finest grain offerings to the Lord (e.g., the daily morning and evening offerings in Exod 29:40-41). Its presence in Genesis 18:6 elevates Abraham's act of hospitality beyond a simple meal to something akin to a sacred offering, symbolizing that he offered the choicest to the Lord Himself, as he rightly perceived his visitors. This foreshadows the priestly nature often attributed to Abraham, who built altars and interceded before God (Gen 12:7, 13:18, 18:23). Furthermore, the immediacy and generosity demonstrate Abraham's faith in action, validating that his hospitality was a manifestation of his active belief in God (Jas 2:21-23), preparing the ground for the miraculous promise of Isaac's birth that follows.

Genesis 18 6 Commentary

Genesis 18:6 offers a profound glimpse into Abraham's character and the values upheld in his patriarchal household. His "hurried" action reveals not merely politeness but an fervent desire to honor his divine visitors. This alacrity signifies a heart ready to serve and respond immediately to perceived divine presence, a spiritual characteristic often missing in believers (cf. Rom 12:11). The instruction to Sarah to prepare "three seahs of fine flour" for "cakes" speaks volumes. "Three seahs" is a lavish quantity, far exceeding what would be needed for just three people, pointing to extreme generosity and abundance. The specification of "fine flour" (soleth), typically reserved for sacred offerings in the Tabernacle/Temple (Lev 2:1), indicates Abraham's understanding of his guests' divine nature, even before their full revelation. He offers them the absolute best, transforming a simple meal into an act of worship and profound respect.

Sarah's involvement, commanded to "knead it and make cakes," highlights her crucial role as mistress of the household and her active participation in the act of hospitality. This was not merely Abraham's show, but a partnership in service, reflecting the joint commitment to welcoming the Lord. The rapid preparation of ugot (flat cakes) suggests practical efficiency combined with zealous devotion. This moment of selfless, generous, and immediate service precedes some of the most significant revelations given to Abraham, emphasizing that faithful obedience and hospitality often pave the way for deeper divine communion and promises (Heb 13:2). It stands as a timeless example for believers to offer their best, without hesitation, in serving God and His people, recognizing the potential for spiritual encounter in everyday acts of kindness and generosity.