Genesis 18:24
What does Genesis 18:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 18:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 18:24 means
Abraham began his earnest plea by asking if the Lord would spare the entire city if fifty righteous individuals could be found within it. This specific number initiates his focused negotiation, demonstrating his faith in God's willingness to show mercy for the sake of even a minority of just people. His question probes the boundaries of divine mercy and reiterates his hope that the righteous would not perish with the wicked.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Peradventure there are fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Peradventure there are fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If by chance there are fifty upright men in the town, will you give the place to destruction and not have mercy on it because of the fifty upright men?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862peradventure there are fifty righteous in the midst of the city; dost Thou also consume, and not bear with the place for the sake of the fifty--the righteous who <FI>are<Fi> in its midst?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If there be fifty just men in the city, shall they perish withal? and wilt thou not spare that place for the sake of the fifty just, if they be therein?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890There are perhaps fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not forgive the place for the sake of the fifty righteous that are therein?
Context
This verse introduces Abraham's first numerical proposition in his intercession, building directly on his initial question about consuming the righteous with the wicked in verse 23. The number fifty establishes the starting point for his bargaining with the Lord. This concrete proposal clearly delineates the focus of the subsequent interaction, highlighting Abraham's strategic and persistent advocacy for the inhabitants of Sodom.
v.23And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou consume the righteous with the wicked?
v.24This passage
v.25That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 27:24
saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Cæsar: and lo, God hath granted thee all them that sail with thee.
- Isaiah 1:9
Except Jehovah of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
- Matthew 7:13
Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.
- Jeremiah 5:1
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that doeth justly, that seeketh truth; and I will pardon her.
- Genesis 18:32
And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.
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