Genesis 18:28
What does Genesis 18:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 18:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 18:28 means
Abraham continued his negotiation, cautiously suggesting that perhaps there might be five fewer than fifty righteous, asking if the city would still be destroyed for the lack of just those five. The Lord agreed to spare the city if forty-five righteous individuals were found. This further concession by God demonstrates His immense patience and mercy, reinforcing the principle that a smaller number of righteous could still avert widespread destruction.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If by chance there are five less than fifty upright men, will you give up all the town to destruction because of these five? And he said, I will not give it to destruction if there are forty-five.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862peradventure there are lacking five of the fifty righteous--dost Thou destroy for five the whole of the city?' and He saith, `I destroy <FI>it<Fi> not, if I find there forty and five.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752What if there be five less than fifty just persons? wilt thou for five and forty destroy the whole city: And he said: I will not destroy it, if I find five and forty.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Perhaps there may want five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city on account of the five? And he said, If I shall find forty-five there, I will not destroy [it].
Context
This verse marks Abraham's second numerical proposal, lowering the number from fifty to forty-five, immediately following his humble introduction in verse 27. The Lord's prompt agreement further emphasizes His willingness to show mercy and His engagement with Abraham's persistence. This exchange continues the pattern of gracious divine response to Abraham's bold yet respectful intercession.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 20:32
So they girded sackcloth on their loins, and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel, and said, Thy servant Ben-hadad saith, I pray thee, let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? he is my brother.
- Job 23:3
Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
- Genesis 18:26
And Jehovah said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake.
- Genesis 18:29
And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for the forty’s sake.
- Numbers 14:17
And now, I pray thee, let the power of the Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,
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