Genesis 18:16-33

Abraham Intercedes for Sodom

Berean Standard Bible

16 When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them off.
17 And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed. 19 For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
20 Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous, 21 I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will find out.”
22 And the two men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
23 Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
26 So the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous ones within the city of Sodom, on their account I will spare the whole place.”
27 Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes— 28 suppose the fifty righteous ones lack five. Will You destroy the whole city for the lack of five?”
He replied, “If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it.”
29 Once again Abraham spoke to the LORD, “Suppose forty are found there?”
He answered, “On account of the forty, I will not do it.”
30 Then Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak further. Suppose thirty are found there?”
He replied, “If I find thirty there, I will not do it.”
31 And Abraham said, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord, suppose twenty are found there?”
He answered, “On account of the twenty, I will not destroy it.”
32 Finally, Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?”
And He answered, “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
33 When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, He departed, and Abraham returned home.

What is the context?

As the visitors leave, the LORD connects His disclosure to Abraham with the purpose of Abraham's calling. His household is to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, and blessing is to reach the nations through him. What follows is therefore part of learning the character of the God whose promise he carries.

The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and the LORD speaks of examining their conduct. Two men go toward Sodom while Abraham remains before the LORD. Abraham asks whether the righteous will be swept away with the wicked and appeals to the Judge of all the earth to do what is right. His concern is expressed as a request to spare the place for the sake of righteous people within it.

The conversation moves from fifty to forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty, and finally ten. Abraham speaks with humility about himself and persistence in asking, and the LORD agrees to spare the place at each stated number. The passage does not tell us why Abraham stops at ten. It ends with the LORD departing and Abraham returning home; the next chapter will show the outcome.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Christians commonly read Abraham's appeal as bold prayer for others grounded in God's justice and mercy. Wesley's notes on Genesis 18:23, 27–33 emphasize his confidence and humility; the Catholic Church's Catechism, 2571, likewise sees Abraham's prayer as sharing God's compassion for people.

Where does this fit in God's plan?

The promised blessing of the nations is joined here with teaching a household to do what is right and just. That keeps God's larger purpose connected with the way His people actually live. Acts 17:30–31 later announces that God will judge the world justly through the Man He has appointed, giving assurance through His resurrection. Abraham's appeal to the Judge of the whole earth belongs to a theme that reaches beyond Sodom.

Prayer for others also continues as part of God's people's calling. 1 Timothy 2:1–6 urges prayer for everyone, including rulers, and connects it with God's saving purpose and Christ's work as the one mediator. Abraham's conversation gives an earlier picture of bringing others before God with confidence in His character. The response to approaching judgment includes concern for people, not merely satisfaction that wrong will be punished.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

What Does Prayer Look Like?

A Living Study And Exchange

This site is a living study effort. Thoughtful feedback is welcome, and future study may lead to clarification, correction, or revision.

Public comments, when enabled, will be reviewed before appearing on the site so discussion remains respectful and relevant. The goal is to grow in understanding, test everything by Scripture, and remain willing to change where the text requires it.