Devine Scripture

Genesis 18:32

What does Genesis 18:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 18:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 18:32 means

With a final, humble request not to presume too much, Abraham made his ultimate plea, asking if the city would be spared for the sake of ten righteous individuals. The Lord, in His boundless mercy, agreed to this lowest number. This verse marks the climax of Abraham's intercession, revealing the extent of God's willingness to avert judgment for even a tiny remnant of righteous people. This incredible patience profoundly illustrates divine grace.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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 ten’s sake.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, O let not the Lord be angry and I will say only one word more: by chance there may be ten there. And he said, I will have mercy because of the ten.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he saith, `Let it not be, I pray Thee, displeasing to the Lord, and I speak only this time: peradventure there are found there ten?' and He saith, `I do not destroy <FI>it<Fi> , because of the ten.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I beseech thee, saith he, be not angry, Lord, if I speak yet once more: What if ten shall be found there? And he said: I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, that I speak yet but this time! Perhaps there may be ten found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for the ten's sake.

Context

This verse contains Abraham's final and lowest numerical proposition, from twenty down to ten, concluding his long intercession. His introductory plea to not let the Lord be angry emphasizes the significance of this last request. The Lord's agreement to spare the city for ten righteous individuals brings the bargaining to a close, setting the stage for the definitive outcome concerning Sodom and Gomorrah.

v.31And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the twenty’s sake.

v.32This passage

v.33And Jehovah went his way, as soon as he had left off communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 34:9

    And he said, If now I have found favor in thy sight, O Lord, let the Lord, I pray thee, go in the midst of us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

  • Proverbs 15:8

    The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

  • Exodus 32:14

    And Jehovah repented of the evil which he said he would do unto his people.

  • Job 33:23

    If there be with him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show unto man what is right for him;

  • Psalms 86:5

    For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness unto all them that call upon thee.

  • Exodus 33:13

    Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show me now thy ways, that I may know thee, to the end that I may find favor in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

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