---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Genesis 18:1. And the Lord appeared — Genesis 15:1; Genesis 15:1. Sat in the tent door — For the purpose of enjoying the refreshing air in the heat"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/genesis/18"
---

![Clarke](/images/commentaries/clarkes-commentary.jpg)

 The Clarke's Commentary
 
Include 66 books
 
Denomination: arminianism
 
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Verse [Genesis 18:1](../../../kjv/genesis/18/1). ***And the Lord appeared*** — [Genesis 15:1](../../../kjv/genesis/15/1); [Genesis 15:1](../../../kjv/genesis/15/1).
***Sat in the tent door*** — For the purpose of enjoying the refreshing air *in the heat of the day*, when the sun had most power. A custom still frequent among the Asiatics.

Verse [Genesis 18:2](../../../kjv/genesis/18/2). ***Three men stood by him*** — נצבים עליו *nitstsabim alaiv*, were *standing over against him*; for if they had been *standing by* *him*, as our translation says, he needed not to have "run from the tent door to meet them." To Abraham these appeared at first as *men*; but he *entertained angels unawares*, see [Hebrews 13:2](../../../kjv/hebrews/13/2).

Verse [Genesis 18:3](../../../kjv/genesis/18/3). ***And said, My Lord, &c.*** — The word is אדני *Adonai*, not יהוה *Yehovah*, for as yet Abraham did not know the quality of his guests. For an explanation of this word, [Genesis 15:8](../../../kjv/genesis/15/8).

Verse [Genesis 18:4](../../../kjv/genesis/18/4). ***Let a little water - be fetched, and wash your feet, c.*** — In these verses we find a delightful picture of primitive hospitality. In those ancient times shoes such as ours were not in use and the foot was protected only by *sandals* or *soles*, which fastened round the foot with straps. It was therefore a great refreshment in so hot a country to get the feet washed at the end of a day's journey; and this is the *first* thing that Abraham proposes.
***Rest yourselves under the tree*** — We have already heard of the *oak grove* of Mamre, [Genesis 12:6](../../../kjv/genesis/12/6), and this was the *second* requisite for the refreshment of a weary traveller, viz., rest in the shade.

Verse [Genesis 18:5](../../../kjv/genesis/18/5). ***I will fetch a morsel of bread*** — This was the *third* requisite, and is introduced in its proper order; as eating immediately after exertion or fatigue is very unwholesome. The strong action of the lungs and heart should have time to diminish before any food is received into the stomach, as otherwise concoction is prevented, and fever in a less or greater degree produced.
***For therefore are ye come*** — In those ancient days every traveller conceived he had a right to refreshment, when he needed it, at the first tent he met with on his journey.
***So do as thou hast said.*** — How exceedingly simple was all this! On neither side is there any *compliment* but such as a generous heart and sound sense dictate.

Verse [Genesis 18:6](../../../kjv/genesis/18/6). ***Three measures of fine meal*** — The סאה *seah*, which is here translated *measure*, contained, according to Bishop Cumberland, about two gallons and a half; and Mr. Ainsworth translates the word *peck*. On this circumstance the following observations of the judicious and pious Abbe Fleury cannot fail to be acceptable to the reader. Speaking of the frugality of the patriarchs he says: "We have an instance of a splendid entertainment in that which Abraham made for the three angels. He set a whole *calf* before them, *new bread*, but baked on the hearth, together with *butter* and *milk*. *Three* measures of meal were baked into bread on this occasion, which come to more than two of our bushels, and nearly to fifty-six pounds of our weight; hence we may conclude that men were great eaters in those days, used much exercise, were probably of a much larger stature as well as longer lives than we. Homer (Odyss. lib. xiv., ver. 74, c.) makes his heroes great eaters. When *Eumaeus* entertained Ulysses, he dressed *two pigs* for himself and his guest.
***Make cakes upon the hearth.*** — Or under the ashes. This mode is used in the east to the present day. When the hearth is strongly heated with the fire that has been kindled on it, they remove the coals, sweep off the ashes, lay on the bread, and then cover it with the hot cinders.

Verse [Genesis 18:8](../../../kjv/genesis/18/8). ***And he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.*** — Nothing is more common in *Hindostan* than to see travellers and guests *eating under the shade of trees*. Feasts are scarcely ever held in *houses*. The house of a Hindoo serves for *sleeping* and *cooking*, and for *shutting* up the *women*; but is never considered as a *sitting* or *dining* room. - *Ward*.

Verse [Genesis 18:10](../../../kjv/genesis/18/10). ***I will certainly return*** — Abraham was now *ninety-nine* years of age, and this promise was fulfilled when he was a *hundred*; so that the phrase *according to the time of life* must mean either a *complete year*, or *nine months* from the present time, the ordinary time of pregnancy. Taken in this latter sense, Abraham was now in the ninety-ninth year of his age, and Isaac was born when he was in his hundredth year.

Verse [Genesis 18:11](../../../kjv/genesis/18/11). ***It ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.*** — And consequently, naturally speaking, conception could not take place; therefore if she have a son it must be in a *supernatural* or *miraculous* way.

Verse [Genesis 18:12](../../../kjv/genesis/18/12). ***Sarah laughed*** — Partly through pleasure at the bare idea of the *possibility* of the thing, and partly from a conviction that it was extremely *improbable*. She appears to have been in the same spirit, and to have had the same feelings of those who, unexpectedly hearing of something of great consequence to themselves, *smile* and say, "The news is too good to be true;", see [Genesis 21:6](../../../kjv/genesis/21/6). There is a case very similar to this mentioned [Psalms 126:1-2](../../../kjv/psalms/126/1-2). On Abraham's laughing, [Genesis 17:17](../../../kjv/genesis/17/17).

Verse [Genesis 18:13](../../../kjv/genesis/18/13). ***And the*****LORD** (Jehovah)*******said, c.*** — So it appears that one of those three persons was *Jehovah*, and as this name is never given to any created being, consequently the ever-blessed God is intended and as he was never seen in any bodily shape, consequently the great Angel of the covenant, Jesus Christ, must be meant. [Genesis 16:7](../../../kjv/genesis/16/7).

Verse [Genesis 18:14](../../../kjv/genesis/18/14). ***Is any thing too hard for the Lord?*** — היפלא מיהוה דבר *hayippale meihovah dabar*, shall a word (or thing) be wonderful from the Lord? i.e., Can any thing be too great a miracle for *him* to effect? The Septuagint translate the passage, Μη αδυνατησει παρα τῳ Θεῳ ῥημα; which St. Luke adopts almost literatim, only making it an *affirmative* position instead of a *question*: Ουκ αδυνατησει παρα τῳ Θεῳ παν ῥημα, which we translate, "With God nothing shall be impossible," [Luke 1:37](../../../kjv/luke/1/37). Many copies of the Septuagint insert the word παν before ῥημα, as in St. Luke; but it makes little difference in the sense. It was to correct Sarah's unbelief, and to strengthen her faith, that God spoke these most important words; words which state that where human wisdom, prudence, and energy fall, and where nature herself ceases to be an agent, through lack of energy to act, or laws to direct and regulate energy, *there* also God has *full sway*, and by his own omnific power works all things after the counsel of his own will. Is there an effect to be produced? God can produce it as well *without* as *with* means. He produced nature, the whole system of causes and effects, when in the whole compass of his own eternity there was neither *means* nor *being*. HE spake, and it was done; HE commanded, and it stood fast. How great and wonderful is God!

Verse [Genesis 18:16](../../../kjv/genesis/18/16). ***Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.*** — This was another piece of primitive hospitality - to direct strangers in the way. Public roads did not then exist and guides were essentially necessary in countries where villages were seldom to be met with, and where solitary dwellings did not exist.

Verse [Genesis 18:17](../../../kjv/genesis/18/17). ***Shall I hide from Abraham*** — That is, I will not hide. A common mode of speech in Scripture - a question asked when an affirmative is designed. *Do men gather grapes of thorns*? Men do not gather grapes of thorns, &c.

Verse [Genesis 18:18](../../../kjv/genesis/18/18). ***Shall surely become a great and mighty nation*** — The revelation that I make to him shall be preserved among his posterity; and the exact fulfilment of my promises, made so long before, shall lead them to believe in my name and trust in my goodness.

Verse [Genesis 18:19](../../../kjv/genesis/18/19). ***And they shall keep the way of the Lord*** — The true religion; God's WAY; that in which God walks himself, and in which, of course, his *followers* walk also; *to do justice and* *judgment*; not only to preserve the truth in their *creed*, but maintain it in their *practice*.

Verse [Genesis 18:20](../../../kjv/genesis/18/20). ***Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah*** — [Genesis 13:13](../../../kjv/genesis/13/13); [Genesis 13:13](../../../kjv/genesis/13/13).

Verse [Genesis 18:21](../../../kjv/genesis/18/21). ***I will go down now, &c.*** — A lesson to magistrates, teaching them not to judge according to report, but accurately to inquire into the facts themselves. - *Jarchi*.

Verse [Genesis 18:22](../../../kjv/genesis/18/22). ***And the men turned their faces*** — That is, the two angels who accompanied Jehovah were now sent towards Sodom; while the third, who is called the LORD or *Jehovah*, remained with Abraham for the purpose of teaching him the great usefulness and importance of faith and prayer.

Verse [Genesis 18:23](../../../kjv/genesis/18/23). ***Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?*** — A form of speech similar to that in [Genesis 18:17](../../../kjv/genesis/18/17), an invariable principle of justice, that the righteous shall not be punished for the crimes of the impious. And this Abraham lays down as the *foundation* of his supplications. Who can pray with any hope of success who cannot assign a *reason* to God and his *conscience* for the petitions he offers? The great sacrifice offered by Christ is an infinite reason why a penitent sinner should expect to find the mercy for which he pleads.

Verse [Genesis 18:25](../../../kjv/genesis/18/25). ***Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?*** — God alone is the Judge of all men. Abraham, in thus addressing himself to the person in the text, considers him either as the Supreme Being or his representative.

Verse [Genesis 18:27](../../../kjv/genesis/18/27). ***Which*****am but*****dust and ashes*** — עפר ואפר *aphar* *vaepher*, words very similar in sound, as they refer to matters which so much resemble each other. *Dust*- the lightest particles of earth. *Ashes*- the residuum of consumed substances. By these expressions he shows how deeply his soul was humbled in the presence of God. He who has *high* thoughts of himself must have *low* thoughts of the dignity of the Divine nature, of the majesty of God, and the sinfulness of sin.

Verse [Genesis 18:32](../../../kjv/genesis/18/32). ***Peradventure ten shall be found there*** — Knowing that in the family of his nephew the true religion was professed and practised, he could not suppose there could be less than ten righteous persons in the city, he did not think it necessary to urge his supplication farther; he therefore left off his entreaties, and the Lord departed from him. It is highly worthy of observation, that while he continued to pray the presence of God was continued; and when Abraham ended, "the glory of the Lord was lifted up," as the Targum expresses it.
THIS chapter, though containing only the preliminaries to the awful catastrophe detailed in the next, affords us several lessons of useful and important information.
1. The hospitality and humanity of Abraham are worthy, not only of our most serious regard, but also of our *imitation*. He sat in the door of his tent in the heat of the day, not only to enjoy the current of refreshing air, but that if he saw any weary and exhausted travellers he might invite them to rest and refresh themselves. Hospitality is ever becoming in one human being towards another; for every destitute man is a *brother* in distress, and demands our most prompt and affectionate assistance, according to that heavenly precept, "What ye would that men should do unto you, do even so unto them." From this conduct of Abraham a Divine precept is formed: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. [Hebrews 13:2](../../../kjv/hebrews/13/2).
2. Whatever is given on the ground of humanity and mercy is given unto God, and is sure to meet with his approbation and a suitable reward. While Abraham entertained his guests God discovers himself, and reveals to him the counsels of his will, and renews the promise of a numerous posterity. Sarah, though naturally speaking past child-bearing, shall have a son: natural obstacles cannot hinder the purpose of God; nature is his instrument; and as it works not only by general laws, but also by any particular will of God, so it may accomplish that will in any way he may choose to direct. It is always difficult to credit God's *promises* when they relate to *supernatural* things, and still more so when they have for their object events that are *contrary* to the course of nature; but as *nothing is too hard for* *God*, so "all things are possible to him that believeth." It is that faith alone which is of the operation of God's Spirit, that is capable of crediting supernatural things; he who does not pray to be enabled to believe, or, if he do, uses not the power when received, can never believe to the saving of the soul.
3. Abraham trusts much in God, and God reposes much confidence in Abraham. He knows that God is faithful, and will fulfil his promises; and God knows that Abraham is faithful, and will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment; [Genesis 18:19](../../../kjv/genesis/18/19). No man lives unto himself; and God gives us neither *spiritual* nor *temporal* blessings for ourselves alone; our bread we are to divide with the hungry, and to help the stranger in distress. He who understands the *way of God* should carefully instruct his household in that way; and he who is the father of a family should pray to God to teach him, that he may teach his household. His ignorance of God and salvation can be no excuse for his neglecting his family: it is his indispensable duty to teach them; and God will teach him, if he earnestly seek it, that he may be able to discharge this duty to his family. Reader, if thy children or servants perish through thy neglect, God will judge thee for it in the great day.
4. The sin of Sodom and the cities of the plain was great and grievous; the measure of their iniquity was full, and God determined to destroy them. Judgment is God's *strange work*, but though rarely done it must be done sometimes, lest men should suppose that right and wrong, vice and virtue, are alike in the eye of God. And these judgments must be dispensed in such a way as to show they are not the results of natural causes, but come immediately from the incensed justice of the Most High.
5. Every man who loves God loves his neighbour also; and he who loves his neighbour will do all in his power to promote the well-being both of his soul and his body. Abraham cannot prevent the men of Sodom from sinning against God; but he can make prayer and intercession for their souls, and plead, if not in arrest, yet in mitigation, of judgment. He therefore intercedes for the transgressors, and God is well pleased with his intercessions. These are the offspring of God's own love in the heart of his servant.
6. How true is that word, The energetic faithful prayer of a righteous man availeth much! Abraham *draws near to God* by affection and faith, and in the most devout and humble manner makes prayer and supplication; and every petition is answered on the spot. Nor does God cease to promise to show mercy till Abraham ceases to intercede! What encouragement does this hold out to them that fear God, to make prayer and intercession for their sinful neighbours and ungodly relatives! Faith in the Lord Jesus endues prayer with a species of omnipotence; whatsoever a man asks of the Father in his name, he will do it. Prayer has been termed the *gate* of heaven, but without *faith* that gate cannot be *opened*. He who *prays* as he *should*, and *believes* as he *ought*, shall have the fulness of the blessings of the Gospel of peace.

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