Devine Scripture

Genesis 18:26

What does Genesis 18:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 18:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 18:26 means

The Lord responded directly to Abraham's initial plea, agreeing to spare the entire city of Sodom if He could find fifty righteous people within it. This answer immediately reveals God's merciful nature and His willingness to relent from judgment for the sake of the righteous. It establishes the principle that the presence of even a relatively small number of righteous individuals could influence divine judgment on a larger group, setting the stage for Abraham's further negotiation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord said, If there are fifty upright men in the town, I will have mercy on it because of them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah saith, `If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then have I borne with all the place for their sake.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Lord said to him: If I find in Sodom fifty just within the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah said, If I find at Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will forgive all the place for their sakes.

Context

This verse records the Lord's direct acceptance of Abraham's first proposal, immediately following Abraham's theological appeal for divine justice in verse 25. This affirmative response from God validates Abraham's intercession and sets the precedent for further negotiation. This agreement provides the framework for Abraham's subsequent, decreasing proposals, showcasing God's patient and merciful engagement with His servant.

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?

v.26This passage

v.27And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 10:22

    For though thy people, Israel, be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them shall return: a destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness.

  • Isaiah 19:24

    In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth;

  • Isaiah 65:8

    Thus saith Jehovah, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sake, that I may not destroy them all.

  • Ezekiel 22:30

    And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.

  • Isaiah 6:13

    And if there be yet a tenth in it, it also shall in turn be eaten up: as a terebinth, and as an oak, whose stock remaineth, when they are felled; so the holy seed is the stock thereof.

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