Genesis 18:1

Genesis 18:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
• New International Version (NIV)The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.

Context of Genesis 18:1

Now the Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth trees of Mamre [in Hebron], while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. 2When he raised his eyes and looked up, behold, three men were standing [a little distance] from him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed down [with his face] to the ground, 3and Abraham said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass by your servant [without stopping to visit].

Genesis 18:1 word by word

וַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב פֶּֽתַח־הָאֹ֖הֶל כְּחֹ֥ם הַיּֽוֹם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• appearedרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• unto him in the plainsאֵלוֹן'êlôn · terebinthH436
• of Mamreמַמְרֵאmamrê' · MamreH4471
• and he satיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
• in the tentאֹ֫הֶל'ôhel · tentH168
• doorפֶּ֫תַחpethach · entranceH6607
• in the heatחֹםchôm · heatH2527
• of the dayיוֹםyôm · dayH3117

Cross-references for Genesis 18:1

• Genesis 15:1After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; Your reward [for obedience] shall be very great.”
• Genesis 17:1When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; Walk [habitually] before Me [with integrity, knowing that you are always in My presence], and be blameless and complete [in obedience to Me].
• Genesis 26:2The Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I will tell you.
• Genesis 48:3Then Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz (Bethel) in the land of Canaan and blessed me,
• Exodus 4:1Then Moses answered [the Lord] and said, “What if they will not believe me or take seriously what I say? For they may say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ”
• 2 Chronicles 1:7That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give to you.”
• Acts 7:2And he answered, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory [the Shekinah, the radiance of God] appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,
• Genesis 13:18Then Abram broke camp and moved his tent, and came and settled by the [grove of the great] terebinths (oak trees) of Mamre [the Amorite], which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to [honor] the Lord.
• Genesis 14:13Then a survivor who had escaped [from the invading forces on the other side of the Jordan] came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living by the terebinths (oaks) of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner—they were allies of Abram.

Commentaries on Genesis 18:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1And the Lord appeared - See note on 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-33Verses 1-33 - The Visit of the Lord to Abraham 2. השׂתחיה vayı̂śtachû “bow,” or bend the body in token of respect to God or man. The attitude varies from a slight inclination of the body to entire prostration with the forehead touching the ground. 6. סאה se'ah a “seah,” about an English peck, the third part of an ephah. The ephah contained ten omers. The omer held about five pints. This chapter describes Abraham‘s fellowship with God. On the gracious…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The Lord appears to Abraham. (1-8) Sarah's unbelief reproved. (9-15) God reveals to Abraham the destruction of Sodom. (16-22) Abraham's intercession for Sodom. (23-33) Verses 1-8 Abraham was waiting to entertain any weary traveller, for inns were not to be met with as among us. While Abraham was thus sitting, he saw three men coming. These were three heavenly beings in human bodies. Some think they were all created angels; others, that one of them was the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-15The 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…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-81. the Lord appeared--another manifestation of the divine presence, more familiar than any yet narrated; and more like that in the fulness of time, when the Word was made flesh. plains of Mamre--rather, terebinth or oak of Mamre; a tall-spreading tree or grove of trees. sat in the tent door--The tent itself being too close and sultry at noon, the shaded open front is usually resorted to for the air that may be stirring.Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 18:1

• Abraham
• Communion
• Condescension of God
• Hospitality
• Isaac
• Mamre
• Tent

In the dictionaries

• Angel
• Ashes
• Certainly
• Comfort
• Command
• Cry
• Grievous
• Grove
• Hard
• Judge

Commentaries on Genesis 18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings