Genesis 18:32 - He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 18:32" mean?
This verse is part of a negotiation between Abraham and God regarding the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: God has revealed to Abraham his plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their great wickedness. Abraham, being a righteous man, is concerned about the potential for innocent people to be killed along with the guilty.
Abraham's Plea: Abraham begins to bargain with God, asking if God would spare the city if a certain number of righteous people were found there. He starts with 50, then 45, then 30, then 20, and finally, he arrives at 10.
"Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more.": This shows Abraham's humility and reverence for God. He is hesitant to keep pressing God further, fearing he might anger Him with his persistent questioning. He's being very respectful and acknowledging the potential for offense.
"What if ten are found there?": Abraham is asking if God would spare the entire city if even just ten righteous people resided there.
"I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.": God agrees. He promises that if even ten righteous people are found in Sodom, He will not destroy the city.
Meaning and Significance:
God's Mercy: The verse highlights God's willingness to show mercy and compassion, even to wicked cities, if there are some righteous individuals within them. It demonstrates that God is not solely interested in punishing the wicked, but also values and protects the righteous.
Importance of Righteousness: It emphasizes the importance of righteousness. Even a small number of righteous people can have a significant impact, potentially averting disaster.
Abraham's Intercession: It showcases Abraham's role as an intercessor, someone who pleads on behalf of others. His concern for the innocent and his willingness to advocate for them is a testament to his character.
Ultimately, Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed. The story continues to reveal that there weren't even ten righteous people in Sodom, as only Lot and his family were considered righteous enough to be spared. This underscores the depth of the cities' wickedness and the justness of God's judgment.
In summary, Genesis 18:32 is a powerful illustration of God's mercy, the importance of righteousness, and the role of intercession. It sets the stage for the tragic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah while highlighting the potential for even a small number of righteous individuals to influence the outcome.
Genesis 18:32 - He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.”
What does "Genesis 18:32" mean?
This verse is part of a negotiation between Abraham and God regarding the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: God has revealed to Abraham his plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their great wickedness. Abraham, being a righteous man, is concerned about the potential for innocent people to be killed along with the guilty.
Abraham's Plea: Abraham begins to bargain with God, asking if God would spare the city if a certain number of righteous people were found there. He starts with 50, then 45, then 30, then 20, and finally, he arrives at 10.
"Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more.": This shows Abraham's humility and reverence for God. He is hesitant to keep pressing God further, fearing he might anger Him with his persistent questioning. He's being very respectful and acknowledging the potential for offense.
"What if ten are found there?": Abraham is asking if God would spare the entire city if even just ten righteous people resided there.
"I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.": God agrees. He promises that if even ten righteous people are found in Sodom, He will not destroy the city.
Meaning and Significance:
God's Mercy: The verse highlights God's willingness to show mercy and compassion, even to wicked cities, if there are some righteous individuals within them. It demonstrates that God is not solely interested in punishing the wicked, but also values and protects the righteous.
Importance of Righteousness: It emphasizes the importance of righteousness. Even a small number of righteous people can have a significant impact, potentially averting disaster.
Abraham's Intercession: It showcases Abraham's role as an intercessor, someone who pleads on behalf of others. His concern for the innocent and his willingness to advocate for them is a testament to his character.
Ultimately, Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed. The story continues to reveal that there weren't even ten righteous people in Sodom, as only Lot and his family were considered righteous enough to be spared. This underscores the depth of the cities' wickedness and the justness of God's judgment.
In summary, Genesis 18:32 is a powerful illustration of God's mercy, the importance of righteousness, and the role of intercession. It sets the stage for the tragic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah while highlighting the potential for even a small number of righteous individuals to influence the outcome.