Devine Scripture

Genesis 18:29

What does Genesis 18:29 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 18:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 18:29 means

Pressed onward by God's graciousness, Abraham spoke yet again, lowering his proposed number to forty righteous. The Lord, without hesitation, again agreed to spare the city for the sake of those forty. This continued dialogue demonstrates God's profound patience with Abraham's persistent intercession and reiterates His willingness to show mercy based on the presence of righteous individuals.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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 forty’s sake.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And again he said to him, By chance there may be forty there. And he said, I will not do it if there are forty.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he addeth again to speak unto Him and saith, `Peradventure there are found there forty?' and He saith, `I do <FI>it<Fi> not, because of the forty.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And again he said to him: But if forty be found there, what wilt thou do? He said: I will not destroy it for the sake of forty.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he continued yet to speak with him, and said, Perhaps there may be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for the forty's sake.

Context

This verse presents Abraham's third round of negotiation, where he reduces the number of righteous from forty-five to forty, directly following the Lord's agreement in verse 28. The Lord's consistent affirmative response continues to highlight His patience and mercy. This further lowering of the number intensifies the plea and continues to explore the limits of divine forbearance for the sake of the righteous.

v.28peradventure 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.

v.29This passage

v.30And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.

  • Ephesians 6:18

    with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,

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