Bible Commentaries

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

plains = among the oaks of Mamre. Compare Genesis 13:18; Genesis 14:13, and Genesis 18:8.

sat = was sitting.

looked. See note on Genesis 13:14.

lo. The Figure of speech Asterismos.

three men. Elohim (App-4) and two angels called men (Hebrew. "ish, plural, App-14) here, and verses: Genesis 18:16, Genesis 18:22, but in Genesis 19:1, Genesis 19:15 the two are called "angels". Three the No. of Divine perfection (see App-10). "When two departed, Elohim (the Divine Presence) remained (verses: Genesis 18:16, Genesis 18:22).

LORD = Jehovah, not Adonai. See App-32. But plural throughout Genesis 19 of the two.

wash your feet. A common practice to this day; needed from use of sandals and bare feet; Compare Genesis 24:32; Genesis 43:24.

bread. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, put for food in general.

three measures. Note the No. 3. See Genesis 18:2 and App-10.

cakes. Evidently unleavened.

ran. Such speedy hospitality common in the East.

tree. See Genesis 18:1.

eat. We do not understand this mystery. But we read of "angels" food" (Psalms 78:25); and that Christ ate after His resurrection (Luke 24:30, Luke 24:43. Acts 10:41).

Where, &c. Translate "And as to Sarah thy wife . . . and he [interrupting] said, Lo! [she is] in the tent". See App-31.

certainly return. Figure of speech Polyptoton (returning I will return) for emphasis.

lo! Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6. heard. Hebrew was listening.

old. This explains how Rebekah, a granddaughter of Abraham's brother, should be old enough to marry Isaac, Abraham's son.

laughed. See note on Genesis 17:17.

After. Figure of speech Erotesis.

my lord. Hebrew. Adon. See App-4 and compare 1 Peter 3:6.

Wherefore? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

Is any thing? Figure of speech Erotesis.

hard = wonderful. A similar question and same Figure of speech used in Luke 1:37.

time appointed. See note on Genesis 1:14.

looked = looked down upon. Hebrew. shakaph. First occurance.

Shall I hide? Figure of speech Erotesis. Compare Amos 3:7.

shall surely become. Hebrew "being shall be". Figure of speech Polyptoton See note on Genesis 26:28.

nations. Another proof that the mystery (Eph 3) means more than Gentile blessing. Compare Genesis 22:18.

that = how that.

command. Compare Psalms 78:1-8.

cry. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6.

I will go down = let us now go down. See Genesis 11:7. Exodus 3:8, all times of judgment.

the cry. Should be their outcry: with Septuagint, Targum of Onkelos, and ancient reading in MSS. called Sevir. See App-34.

the men. Probably the two of Genesis 19:1.

Abraham stood yet before the LORD. The primitive text read "Jehovah stood yet before Abraham. "One of the 18 emendations of the Sopherim. See App-33.

also = even, or really. Note the 6 petitions in Abraham's prayer, verses: Genesis 18:24-32. See App-10.

wicked. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.

Peradventure = perhaps.

earth. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). App-6. "Earth" put for its inhabitants

LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Primitive Text was Jehovah, and the Sopherim changed it to Adonai. These are distinguished in the text by an asterisk, and printed LORD*. See list, App-32.

dust and ashes. Figure of speech Meiosis. App-6. Also Paronomasia (v"ephar "aphar).

went His way. The same as the one who came in verses: Genesis 18:1, Genesis 18:2.