Genesis 18:8 kjv

And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

Genesis 18:8 nkjv

So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.

Genesis 18:8 niv

He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

Genesis 18:8 esv

Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

Genesis 18:8 nlt

When the food was ready, Abraham took some yogurt and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them in the shade of the trees.

Genesis 18 verses

Genesis 18 8 Meaning

Genesis 18:8 powerfully conveys Abraham's extraordinary and immediate hospitality toward his divine guests. It highlights his diligent, personal, and humble service, demonstrating profound respect and devotion. This action of preparing and serving a substantial meal in the intimate setting beneath the tree underscores the nature of the sacred encounter and the affirmation of God's covenant promises amidst fellowship.

Genesis 18 8 Context

Genesis chapter 18 opens with the Lord appearing to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre, accompanied by two angels. Abraham, seated at his tent door in the heat of the day, sees three men approaching. Recognizing something special about them, he immediately runs to meet them, bowing low in an act of deep reverence and humility. He urges them to stay, wash their feet, and refresh themselves with a morsel of bread. However, his "morsel" of bread escalates quickly into a magnificent feast, involving fine flour for cakes, curds, milk, and a tender calf. Genesis 18:8 is the culmination of this elaborate preparation, portraying Abraham's dedicated act of serving this lavish meal. This scene serves as a crucial prelude to the reaffirmation of God's covenant promise regarding the birth of Isaac and the subsequent revelation of God's judgment plan for Sodom and Gomorrah. In the ancient Near East, hospitality was a sacred duty, reflecting honor for God and for one's community, and often sealing covenants or profound encounters. Abraham's swiftness, generosity, and personal involvement in this act demonstrate exceptional piety and submission to the divine presence he instinctively perceived.

Genesis 18 8 Word analysis

• And he took (וַיִּקַּח, vayyiqqaḥ): From the Hebrew verb לָקַח (laqach), "to take, receive." This emphasizes Abraham's active role and direct involvement. He personally handled the items, demonstrating immediate and intentional action. It implies a swift, decisive move from preparation to presentation.
• curds (חֶמְאָה, ḥem’â): This Hebrew term refers to rich, clotted cream or possibly fresh butter. It signifies a choice dairy product, indicative of quality and luxury. It was a common, valued part of the desert diet, but serving it implies an abundance beyond simple sustenance.
• and milk (וְחָלָב, vĕḥālāḇ): From the Hebrew word חָלָב (ḥālāḇ), "milk." Fresh milk, paired with curds, creates a complete and nourishing dairy offering. This addition further speaks to the freshness and completeness of the provisions.
• and the calf (וּבֶן־בָּקָר, ûḇen-bāqār): Literally "son of an ox," meaning a young bull or steer. This was a highly significant and valuable item, not merely "a calf" in the modern sense. Slaughtering and preparing a tender young bull for a casual meal was a great extravagance, signifying profound honor for the guests. Its immediate preparation highlights Abraham's wealth and immediate, generous sacrifice.
• that he had prepared (אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה, ’ăšer ‘āśâ): From the Hebrew verb עָשָׂה (‘āśâ), "to make, do, prepare." This phrase confirms Abraham's direct involvement in overseeing or carrying out the slaughter and dressing of the animal, as alluded to in verse 7. It signifies a comprehensive and deliberate process to ensure the meat was ready to eat, not just presented raw.
• and set it before them (וַיִּתֵּן לִפְנֵיהֶם, vayyittēn liqneihẹm): From the Hebrew verb נָתַן (nāthan), "to give, put, set." This highlights the act of serving, placing the food directly in front of the guests. It signifies both presenting a gift and humble service.
• And he stood by them (וְהוּא עֹמֵד עֲלֵיהֶם, vĕhû ‘ōmēḏ ‘ălêhem): From the Hebrew verb עָמַד (‘āmad), "to stand." This is a crucial detail. Abraham does not eat with them but stands attentively by them, ready to attend to any need. This is a profound gesture of humility and servanthood, emphasizing his role as host to esteemed—even divine—guests. It reflects a master-servant dynamic where the host is the servant.
• under the tree (תַּחַת הָעֵץ, taḥat hā‘ēṣ): "Under the tree." The location for this meal. It provides shade and comfort in the desert heat, creating a tranquil and intimate setting for the profound encounter. The "oaks of Mamre" (Gen 18:1) were a significant landmark, often associated with covenant-making.
• while they ate (וַיֹּאכֵלוּ, vayyoḵēû): From the Hebrew verb אָכַל (’ākal), "to eat." This simple phrase confirms the actual consumption of the meal. The fact that they "ate" affirms their real, embodied presence and acceptance of Abraham's offering. It also underscores the tangible reality of the divine encounter.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared": This phrase details the luxurious and substantial nature of the meal. It was not merely "a morsel of bread" (Gen 18:5) but a grand feast, hastily assembled, demonstrating Abraham's profound commitment, resources, and urgency in showing hospitality to such distinguished guests. The items chosen reflect the finest of his provisions.
• "and set it before them. And he stood by them": This describes Abraham's personal, attentive, and humble service. He did not delegate completely but remained present, vigilant, and ready to serve throughout the meal. This act of "standing by" emphasizes his deferential posture, treating his guests as supreme figures to whom he owed ultimate respect and attendance. It portrays ideal hospitality.
• "under the tree while they ate": This establishes the setting and the duration of the encounter. The comfortable, natural backdrop under the shade signifies a period of rest and fellowship. The fact that the divine guests ate validates their material presence and fully participates in the shared human experience Abraham offered, thereby solidifying the intimate nature of the encounter and the reality of their visit.

Genesis 18 8 Bonus section

Abraham's hospitality in Genesis 18 goes beyond mere politeness; it is a spiritual act born of a heart sensitive to the presence of God. His urgent plea in Genesis 18:3 ("If I have found favor in your sight, my Lord, do not pass by your servant") foreshadows his eagerness in serving this meal. The promptness and lavishness of the provision, requiring great effort in the heat of the day, signify an offering made without grudging or delay. This generous, humble, and unreserved act of hospitality created the context for God to reveal His specific covenant plans (the birth of Isaac) and His judgment on Sodom, demonstrating that sincere fellowship can precede profound divine communication and intervention. The shared meal, a symbol of covenant and fellowship, affirmed the bond between God and His chosen servant before major prophetic pronouncements were made.

Genesis 18 8 Commentary

Genesis 18:8 represents the zenith of Abraham's remarkable hospitality, illustrating his self-effacing service and deep reverence for his unknown guests, whom he instinctively treats as divinely appointed. The speed with which Abraham provided such a lavish meal – involving curds, milk, and a carefully prepared young calf – underscores his overflowing generosity and dedication. This was no casual offering but a costly sacrifice, embodying the very best of his flock and produce. The critical detail is that Abraham himself, despite his great wealth and status, did not partake in the meal but "stood by them." This posture of attentive readiness to serve demonstrates profound humility and acknowledges the supreme honor of their presence. It vividly pictures a host dedicated entirely to the comfort and needs of his visitors. This verse paints a profound picture of how one should treat "strangers" (Heb 13:2) – as though entertaining angels, or even the Lord Himself, as indeed Abraham was doing. It is a timeless example of selfless love in action, laying the groundwork for how God's people are to live out their faith by caring for others, especially those in need, anticipating the New Testament emphasis on ministering to Christ Himself through His people (Matt 25:35).