Genesis 18:1-5
Summary for Gen 18:1-15: 18:1-15 a The Lord’s visit to Abraham set the time for Isaac’s birth. The three visitors were probably the Lord and two angels (see study note on 16:7). Abraham’s peaceful and generous reception of the visitors contrasts sharply with the chaos and corruption of Sodom (ch 19 b). Eating together was important in making or confirming covenants; when God was ready to fulfill the covenant promise, he came in person to share a meal with Abraham. Fellowship with God has always been signified by a communal meal (see Exod 24:9-11 c; Matt 26:17-30 d // Luke 22:7-38 e; Acts 2:42 f; 1 Cor 11:20-34 g).Summary for Gen 18:2-8: 18:2-8 h Abraham received his visitors as very important guests, perhaps realizing that they were messengers from God.
18:3 i My lord: The Hebrew text uses ’adonay (“Lord”), the word that is usually reserved for God. In Hebrew tradition, it was spoken in places where the holy name Yahweh (the Lord) was in the text. Perhaps the text uses ’adonay rather than the more common ’adoni to show that this was the angel of the Lord—i.e., the Lord himself (see study note on 16:7). We don’t know whether Abraham knew his visitors’ identity at the outset, but by the story’s end Abraham certainly knew he had been talking with God.
Copyright information for
TNotes