Genesis 18:2

Translations

Modern

And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

Traditional

And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

Literal

And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him. And he saw them, and he ran to meet them from the entrance of the tent, and he bowed himself to the earth.

Latin

Cumque elevasset oculos, apparuerunt ei tres viri stantes prope eum: quos cum vidisset, cucurrit in occursum eorum de ostio tabernaculi, et adoravit in terram.

Original

Hebrew

English

And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

Notes

Genesis 18:2–8

Abraham received his visitors as very important guests, perhaps realizing that they were messengers from God.

Genesis 18:1–15

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 welcomed the visitors peacefully and generously, which contrasted with the chaos and corruption in Sodom (chapter 19).

Sharing a meal was important for making or confirming covenants. When God was ready to fulfill the covenant promise, he personally shared a meal with Abraham. Fellowship with God has always included a communal meal (see Exodus 24:9–11; Matthew 26:17–30 // Luke 22:7–38; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:20–34).

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Eating Together Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Genesis 18:22
And the two men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
Judges 13:3
The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are barren and have no children; but you will conceive and give birth to a son.
Genesis 19:1
Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown,
Genesis 23:7
Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites.
Joshua 5:13
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?”
Genesis 44:14
When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him.
Genesis 43:26
When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought, and they bowed to the ground before him.
Genesis 43:28
“Your servant our father is well,” they answered. “He is still alive.” And they bowed down to honor him.
Genesis 18:16
When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them off.
Genesis 32:24
So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
1 Peter 4:9
Show hospitality to one another without complaining.

Glossary

Abraham Angel Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Hebron (Place) Hospitality Mamre (Place) Patriarchs, Period of the Peter, Second Letter of Prayer Presence of God Sodom and Gomorrah

Topics

Abraham: Angels Appear To Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Abraham Communion: Abraham Condescension of God: Enters Into Covenant with Abraham God: Appearances of To Abraham Guest: Salutations To Hospitality: Abraham to the Angels Isaac: The Miraculous Son of Abraham Mamre: A Plain Near Hebron: Entertains Three Angels, and is Promised a Son Manners: Obeisance to Strangers Salutations by Bowing Salutations: Antiquity of Travellers: Strangers Civil To

Genesis 18:2

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