Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 18בראשית 18

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Hospitality, promise, laughter, revelation, and intercession are woven together here into one of Genesis' most theologically textured scenes. What begins as a scene of ordinary patriarchal welcome at Mamre opens into a direct encounter with YHWH, a renewed promise of Isaac's birth, and an exposure of the hidden interior response of Sarah. From there the movement widens beyond the tent to the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, where Abraham is drawn into a remarkable dialogue concerning divine justice, covenant vocation, and the place of the righteous within a corrupt city. The result is a narrative of striking movement: from domestic space to cosmic judgment, from bread and curds under a tree to the moral government of all the earth. Promise is reaffirmed, but not in abstraction; it is set within the life of a household marked by age, delay, and incredulous laughter. At the same time, Abraham's election is shown to have a public moral horizon. He is blessed not merely to receive descendants, but to instruct his house in righteousness and justice, and from that vocation arises his bold but reverent intercession. Intimate promise and universal judgment stand side by side, and the God who promises life where none seems possible is also shown as the Judge whose scrutiny of human wickedness is neither arbitrary nor blind.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Literary symmetry and theological depth meet here as a visitation-annunciation scene opens outward into a judicial-intercessory scene. Verse 1's opening statement that YHWH appeared to Abraham is immediately followed by the sight of three men in verse 2, and the relation between divine appearance, angelic mediation, and humanly perceived figures is one of the narrative's enduring interpretive questions. The narrative does not present these levels clumsily but deliberately, allowing the scene to operate simultaneously as hospitality episode and divine visitation. Abraham's address in verse 3 is likewise delicate, since אדני can be heard either as a respectful address to a superior guest or, in the narrative's larger context, as speech shading toward divine recognition. Verses 4-8 emphasize lavish haste and abundant provision, and the note that the visitors eat has generated longstanding discussion about anthropomorphism, embodiment, and narrative realism. Verse 10's phrase כעת חיה is a well-known crux, commonly rendered 'at this time next year' or similarly 'when the season revives'; the point is a fixed future return tied to Sarah's conception. Verse 12's word עֶדְנָה is rare and probably refers to renewed bodily vitality or sexual/menstrual capacity, making Sarah's laughter intelligible as a response to aged impossibility. The laughter theme is central throughout the Abraham cycle, and in verses 12-15 the narrative plays carefully with hidden thought, divine knowledge, fear, denial, and exposure. Verse 14's rhetorical question, 'Is anything too wonderful for YHWH?' is both theological center and interpretive key for the birth promise. From verse 16 onward the scene turns decisively toward Sodom. YHWH's deliberative disclosure to Abraham is grounded not in curiosity but in covenant vocation: Abraham is chosen for a future in which righteousness and justice must characterize his house. Verse 19 is therefore a major theological statement about election's moral purpose. The description of Sodom's 'outcry' in verse 20 uses judicial language rather than mere rumor, and verse 21's 'I will go down and see' should not be read as divine ignorance but as anthropomorphic language for transparent, judicially grounded examination. Verses 23-32 form one of the Hebrew Bible's most remarkable intercessory negotiations. Abraham's repeated petitions are not bargaining in a trivial sense but a reverent testing of the implications of divine justice. The phrase 'Shall not the Judge of all the earth do justice?' in verse 25 is especially weighty, expressing a confidence that divine judgment must be consistent with God's own righteous character. The descent from fifty to ten has also prompted much discussion concerning rhetorical form, legal reasoning, and whether ten functions as a minimal communal threshold. The scene closes without narrating the outcome directly, thereby driving the reader forward into Genesis 19. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב פֶּֽתַח הָאֹ֖הֶל כְּחֹ֥ם הַיּֽוֹם

And Yahweh appeared to him by the terebinths of Mamre, while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day.

New theophanic scene settingוַיֵּרָא
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֵּרָ֤אappearedconj וַ + Niphal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Niphal 'to appear, be seen'; theophanic verb marking divine self-disclosure to Abraham.
אֵלָיו֙to himprep אֶל + suff 3ms · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (directional)אֶל (H413) directional preposition 'to, toward'; marks Abraham as recipient of the theophanic appearance.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֵּרָאיְהוָה (H3068) the divine personal name; associated with הָיָה 'to be'; Israel's covenant God who appears to the patriarchs.
בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖יby the terebinths ofprep בְּ + N m pl constr · אֵלוֹן (H436)Locative prepositional phraseאֵלוֹן (H436) 'terebinth, large tree'; the sacred grove at Mamre associated with Abraham's encampment since Gen 13:18.
מַמְרֵ֑אMamreproper N · מַמְרֵא (H4471)Genitive (construct chain)מַמְרֵא (H4471) location near Hebron where Abraham settled; the site of this theophany and of the altar in Gen 13:18.
וְה֛וּאwhile heconj וְ + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of circumstantial clauseהוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; heads a circumstantial/disjunctive clause describing Abraham's posture at the moment of theophany.
יֹשֵׁ֥בsittingQal ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate of circumstantial clause→ Participle: continuous state — Abraham was seatedיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; active participle pictures Abraham's settled posture at the tent entrance in the heat.
פֶּֽתַחentrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Locative construct chainפֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance, doorway'; the threshold space where patriarchal hospitality is offered to travelers.
הָאֹ֖הֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive of פֶּתַחאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; Abraham's nomadic dwelling; the domestic space that frames this extraordinary divine encounter.
כְּחֹ֥םin the heat ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · חֹם (H2527)Temporal prepositional phraseחֹם (H2527) 'heat'; midday scorching heat; temporal setting making Abraham's energetic hospitality all the more lavish.
הַיּֽוֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive of חֹםיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; חֹם הַיּוֹם 'the heat of the day' = midday; the hottest hour, explaining Abraham's position resting in shade.
2

וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה֙ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֔ים נִצָּבִ֖ים עָלָ֑יו וַיַּ֗רְא וַיָּ֤רָץ לִקְרָאתָם֙ מִפֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֔הֶל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָֽרְצָה

And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, three men were standing before him; and when he saw, he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them and bowed down to the ground.

Perception and immediate hospitable responseוַיִּשָּׂא
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֤אhe liftedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, raise'; נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם 'to lift the eyes' is an idiom for looking up, marking a new perception in narrative.
עֵינָיו֙his eyesN f dual constr + suff 3ms · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of וַיִּשָּׂאעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual form for paired organ; נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם idiom signals an attentive perceptual shift in the narrative.
וַיַּ֔רְאand sawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; follows the lifting of eyes; this is the perception that triggers Abraham's immediate hospitable response.
וְהִנֵּה֙and beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (vivid perception)הִנֵּה (H2009) deictic/presentative 'behold, look'; marks the sudden vivid perception of the three figures — narrating the scene from Abraham's viewpoint.
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣הthreecardinal numeral m sg abs · שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral modifier of אֲנָשִׁיםשָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; the three heavenly visitors; their number and identity are left initially veiled under ordinary appearance.
אֲנָשִׁ֔יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of נִצָּבִיםאִישׁ (H376) 'man, person'; the divine visitors appear as ordinary men; the narrative deliberately delays their identification.
נִצָּבִ֖יםstandingNiphal ptc m pl abs · נָצַב (H5324)Predicate participle (circumstantial)→ Participle: stative — they stood stationed before himנָצַב (H5324) 'to stand, be stationed'; Niphal emphasizes their fixed, positioned posture as they present themselves before Abraham.
עָלָ֑יוbefore himprep עַל + suff 3ms · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over, before'; with נָצַב means 'stationed before him', locating the three visitors in relation to Abraham.
וַיַּ֗רְאand he sawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) repeated seeing; first occurrence was the initial perception; this second marks the moment of recognition that triggers the run.
וַיָּ֤רָץand ranQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רוּץ (H7323)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרוּץ (H7323) 'to run'; Abraham's sprinting toward guests despite the midday heat epitomizes lavish, eager hospitality.
לִקְרָאתָם֙to meet themprep לְ + Qal inf constr + suff 3mp · קִרְאָה (H7125)Purpose infinitive→ Inf constr: telic — purpose of runningקִרְאָה (H7125) 'meeting, encounter'; לִקְרַאת + suffix 'to meet them'; marks purposeful movement to receive the guests.
מִפֶּ֣תַחfrom the entrance ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Locative phrase (point of departure)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'entrance'; same word as v1; Abraham moves outward from his seated position to actively receive the visitors.
הָאֹ֔הֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive of פֶּתַחאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; the recurring domestic reference point anchoring Abraham's movement in relation to his dwelling.
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּand bowed downHitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁחָה (H7812) 'to bow, prostrate'; Hitpael = full prostration; whether courteous deference or incipient divine recognition is the narrative's deliberate ambiguity.
אָֽרְצָהto the groundN f sg abs + directional ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial accusative (direction)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; directional suffix -āh 'toward/to the ground'; expresses Abraham's complete prostration before the visitors.
3

וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אֲדֹנָ֗י אִם נָ֨א מָצָ֤אתִי חֵן֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ אַל נָ֥א תַעֲבֹ֖ר מֵעַ֥ל עַבְדֶּֽךָ

And he said, 'My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass by your servant.'

Direct address: Abraham petitions the visitor to accept hospitalityוַיֹּאמַר
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; standard introduction to direct speech; Abraham now addresses the visitors directly after bowing.
אֲדֹנָ֗יmy lordN m pl constr + suff 1cs · אָדוֹן (H113)Vocative addressאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; plural of majesty; ambiguous in context between respectful address to a human superior and recognition of divinity — a deliberate narrative tension preserved throughout.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces a polite conditional protasis expressing Abraham's hospitality request contingent on finding favor.
נָ֨אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particleנָא (H4994) softening particle of polite urgency; characteristic of gracious requests and hospitality contexts throughout Genesis.
מָצָ֤אתִיI have foundQal perf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate of conditional protasis→ Perfective: a realized state — if I have foundמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; in the idiom מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי 'to find favor in the eyes of' = a formulaic appeal for approval or hospitality.
חֵן֙favorN m sg abs · חֵן (H2580)Direct object of מָצָאתִיחֵן (H2580) 'grace, favor'; from root חנן; the idiom מָצָא חֵן 'to find favor' is the standard expression for seeking another's benevolence.
בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָin your eyesprep בְּ + N f dual constr + suff 2ms · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase (idiom for approval)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; בְּעֵינֵי X = 'in the eyes of X', an idiom meaning 'in your judgment/esteem'; Abraham positions himself as seeking the visitor's positive regard.
אַלdo notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negation particleאַל (H408) volitional negative used with jussive to express a polite but urgent prohibition; stronger than לֹא in volitional contexts.
נָ֥אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particleנָא (H4994) repeated from earlier in the verse; the double נָא intensifies the earnestness of Abraham's request not to be passed by.
תַעֲבֹ֖רpass byQal jussive 2ms · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate of prohibition (אַל + jussive)→ Jussive: volitional — please do not pass byעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass, cross, go by'; same root as in v5; 'do not pass by your servant' is the urgent core of Abraham's request.
מֵעַ֥לfrom besideprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseמֵעַל compound prep 'from upon, away from'; מֵעַל עַבְדְּךָ = 'from the presence of your servant', a deferential way of saying 'past me'.
עַבְדֶּֽךָyour servantN m sg constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Object of מֵעַלעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Abraham's self-designation as subordinate; the rhetorical self-abasement reinforces the hospitality request and the ambiguous address.
4

יֻקַּֽח נָ֣א מְעַט מַ֔יִם וְרַחֲצ֖וּ רַגְלֵיכֶ֑ם וְהִֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ תַּ֥חַת הָעֵֽץ

Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.

Hospitality offer: Abraham proposes refreshment and restיֻקַּח
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
יֻקַּֽחlet be broughtPual jussive 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Main verb (jussive of indirect command)→ Jussive (Pual): passive command — let water be fetchedלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Pual passive 'to be taken/brought'; jussive form softens the command — Abraham requests indirectly that water be provided.
נָ֣אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particleנָא (H4994) repeated appeal for graciousness; Abraham maintains the deferential tone of his hospitality invitation.
מְעַטa littleN m sg constr · מְעַט (H4592)Adverbial quantifierמְעַט (H4592) 'a little, few'; deliberate understatement — Abraham says 'a little water' but will provide a feast; classic oriental hospitality rhetoric.
מַ֔יִםwaterN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Genitive of מְעַט (content)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; always plural in Hebrew; foot-washing with water was the first element of standard ancient Near Eastern hospitality for travelers.
וְרַחֲצ֖וּand washconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · רָחַץ (H7364)Coordinate imperative→ Imperative: direct command to wash feetרָחַץ (H7364) 'to wash, bathe'; washing the feet of guests upon arrival was the standard first act of hospitality in the ancient Near East.
רַגְלֵיכֶ֑םyour feetN f dual constr + suff 2mp · רֶגֶל (H7272)Direct object of רַחֲצוּרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot, leg'; dual construct with suffix; foot-washing removed the dust of travel and was the essential first courtesy extended to guests.
וְהִֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּand restconj וְ + Niphal impv 2mp · שָׁעַן (H8172)Coordinate imperative→ Imperative (Niphal): command — rest/lean yourselvesשָׁעַן (H8172) 'to lean, rest, support oneself'; Niphal reflexive 'rest yourselves'; after washing feet the guests are invited to recline in the shade.
תַּ֥חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath, below'; marks the shaded location beneath the tree as the resting place offered to the visitors.
הָעֵֽץthe treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Object of תַּחַתעֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood'; the tree at the Mamre grove; its shade provides relief from the midday heat (v1) and frames the scene of the meal.
5

וְאֶקְחָ֨ה פַת לֶ֜חֶם וְסַעֲד֤וּ לִבְּכֶם֙ אַחַ֣ר תַּעֲבֹ֔רוּ כִּֽי עַל כֵּ֥ן עֲבַרְתֶּ֖ם עַֽל עַבְדְּכֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כֵּ֥ן תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ

And let me bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts; afterward you may pass on, since for this reason you have passed by your servant.' And they said, 'So do, just as you have spoken.'

Expanded hospitality offer and guests' acceptanceוְאֶקְחָה
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאֶקְחָ֨הlet me bringconj וְ + Qal cohortative 1cs · לָקַח (H3947)Cohortative of self-direction→ Cohortative: first-person volition — I will go and fetchלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, fetch'; cohortative expresses Abraham's own intention to provide food, linking to the jussive of v4.
פַתmorsel ofN f sg constr · פַּת (H6595)Direct object (head of construct chain)פַּת (H6595) 'morsel, bit, piece of bread'; deliberate understatement; Abraham's 'morsel' becomes three seahs of fine flour and a fatted calf.
לֶ֜חֶםbreadN m sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Genitive of פַּתלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; basic staple; פַּת לֶחֶם 'a morsel of bread' is the minimizing description of what proves to be a lavish feast.
וְסַעֲד֤וּand refreshconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · סָעַד (H5582)Coordinate imperative→ Imperative: command to refresh/sustainסָעַד (H5582) 'to support, sustain, refresh the heart'; rare verb found mostly in hospitality contexts; the goal of eating is inner renewal.
לִבְּכֶם֙your heartsN m sg constr + suff 2mp · לֵב (H3820)Direct object of סַעֲדוּלֵב (H3820) 'heart, mind, inner person'; סָעַד לֵב = 'to sustain the heart' — an idiom for restoring strength and vitality through food.
אַחַ֣רafterwardprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after, afterward, behind'; temporal marker establishing the sequence: rest and refresh first, then proceed on the journey.
תַּעֲבֹ֔רוּyou may pass onQal impf 2mp · עָבַר (H5674)Apodosis of temporal sequence→ Imperfective: modal — they may proceed afterwardעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass, continue on'; same root as v3 (אַל נָא תַעֲבֹר); having been urged not to pass by, they are now invited to continue — after hospitality.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because, since'; introduces the logical ground for the entire hospitality offer — they came this way, so Abraham must receive them.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Part of idiom עַל כֵּןעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; component of the compound particle עַל כֵּן 'therefore, for this reason'.
כֵּ֥ןaccountparticle · כֵּן (H3651)Particle in idiom עַל כֵּןכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; עַל כֵּן = 'therefore, for this reason'; marks causal grounding for Abraham's hospitality offer.
עֲבַרְתֶּ֖םyou passedQal perf 2mp · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate of causal clause→ Perfective: completed past action — they passed byעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass by'; the third occurrence of this root in the chapter; the visitors' passing near Abraham's tent grounds his hospitality offer.
עַֽלbyprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'over, by, alongside'; with עָבַר = 'to pass by/past'; the preposition marks proximity as the occasion for hospitality.
עַבְדְּכֶ֑םyour servantN m sg constr + suff 2mp · עֶבֶד (H5650)Object of עַלעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Abraham again refers to himself in the third person with a self-deprecating title, maintaining the deferential register of his appeal.
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the visitors speak for the first time, offering a brief but complete acceptance of Abraham's offer.
כֵּ֥ןsoparticle · כֵּן (H3651)Affirmative particleכֵּן (H3651) 'so, yes, thus'; a simple affirmative: the visitors accept Abraham's entire hospitality program without modification.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֖הdoQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate of affirmation→ Imperfective: imperatival/permissive — do as you proposedעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the guests' direct yet brief consent; the imperfect functions as an imperatival permission.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunctionכַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as, according to what'; the visitors give full assent to Abraham's offer exactly as he proposed it.
דִּבַּֽרְתָּyou have spokenPiel perf 2ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate of comparative clause→ Perfective (Piel): completed speech act — as you saidדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel is the standard stem for verbal communication; the visitors echo Abraham's own framing with complete concurrence.
6

וַיְמַהֵ֧ר אַבְרָהָ֛ם הָאֹ֖הֱלָה אֶל שָׂרָ֑ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מַהֲרִ֞י שְׁלֹ֤שׁ סְאִים֙ קֶ֣מַח סֹ֔לֶת ל֖וּשִׁי וַעֲשִׂ֥י עֻגֽוֹת

And Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, 'Quick, knead three seahs of fine flour and make cakes.'

urgent preparation of hospitality through Sarahand
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיְמַהֵ֧רand hurriedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · מָהַר (H4116)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָהַר (H4116) 'to hasten, hurry'; Piel intensifies urgency; Abraham's haste is the narrative's way of depicting paradigmatic generous hospitality.
אַבְרָהָ֛םAbrahamproper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of וַיְמַהֵראַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham' (father of a multitude); the patriarch's name is used explicitly to make clear that he personally and actively serves the visitors.
הָאֹ֖הֱלָהinto the tentart + N m sg abs + directional ה · אֹהֶל (H168)Directional accusativeאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; with directional suffix -āh 'into/toward the tent'; Abraham enters the domestic space to enlist Sarah in the hospitality preparations.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks direction of Abraham's movement to Sarah inside the tent.
שָׂרָ֑הSarahproper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Object of אֶלשָׂרָה (H8283) 'Sarah' (princess); Abraham's wife, whom he immediately enlists in the hospitality preparations; she will become central in vv9-15.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Abraham's urgent commands to Sarah.
מַהֲרִ֞יhurryPiel impv 2fs · מָהַר (H4116)Imperative (direct command to Sarah)→ Imperative (Piel): urgent command — make hasteמָהַר (H4116) same root as וַיְמַהֵר (v6a); the imperative echoes Abraham's own rushing, demanding the same urgency from Sarah.
שְׁלֹ֤שׁthreecardinal numeral f sg abs · שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral modifier of סְאִיםשָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; feminine agreeing with סְאָה; three seahs is approximately 22 liters of flour — an enormous quantity revealing the lavishness behind Abraham's understatement.
סְאִים֙seahsN f pl abs · סְאָה (H5429)Direct object (measure)סְאָה (H5429) a dry measure ≈7.3 liters; three seahs ≈ 22 liters of flour; the vast quantity unmasks Abraham's 'morsel of bread' as deliberate understatement.
קֶ֣מַחflourN m sg abs · קֶמַח (H7058)Genitive of material (appositive)קֶמַח (H7058) 'flour, meal'; the grain product; followed by a specification of quality — fine flour follows.
סֹ֔לֶתfine flourN f sg abs · סֹלֶת (H5560)Appositive specification of קֶמַחסֹלֶת (H5560) 'fine flour, semolina'; the highest grade of grain, used for festive and sacred offerings; underscores the quality as well as quantity of Abraham's hospitality.
ל֖וּשִׁיkneadQal impv 2fs · לוּשׁ (H3888)Imperative (command to Sarah)→ Imperative: direct command — knead it nowלוּשׁ (H3888) 'to knead dough'; a rare verb; here describes Sarah's specific task of working the large quantity of flour into bread dough.
וַעֲשִׂ֥יand makeconj וְ + Qal impv 2fs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Coordinate imperative→ Imperative: command — make the cakesעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, produce'; the two imperatives (לוּשִׁי + וַעֲשִׂי) describe the complete bread-making process assigned to Sarah.
עֻגֽוֹתcakesN f pl abs · עֻגָּה (H5692)Direct object of וַעֲשִׂיעֻגָּה (H5692) 'round cake, bread baked on embers'; associated with quick baking; the plural suggests enough for all three guests with generous abundance.
7

וְאֶל הַבָּקָ֖ר רָ֣ץ אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיִּקַּ֨ח בֶּן בָּקָ֜ר רַ֤ךְ וָטוֹב֙ וַיִּתֵּ֣ן אֶל הַנַּ֔עַר וַיְמַהֵ֖ר לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת אֹתֽוֹ

And Abraham ran to the herd and took a tender and good calf and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it.

selection and preparation of the meat courseand
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with conjunction; Abraham's movement is now directed from the tent to the herd — parallel to his rush into the tent in v6.
הַבָּקָ֖רthe herdart + N m sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Object of וְאֶלבָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd, oxen'; Abraham goes personally to select the meat — underlining his direct hands-on role in the hospitality.
רָ֣ץranQal perf 3ms · רוּץ (H7323)Predicate verb (inverted word order)→ Perfective: completed action — he ran to the herdרוּץ (H7323) 'to run'; same root as v2; Abraham continues the running motif, sprinting to the herd; the verb is fronted after the prepositional phrase for emphasis on direction.
אַבְרָהָ֑םAbrahamproper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of רָץאַבְרָהָם (H85) explicitly named again; the narrator emphasizes that Abraham himself runs — he is not delegating but personally selecting the best animal.
וַיִּקַּ֨חand tookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, select'; Abraham himself chooses the animal — personal selection of the finest calf for the guests.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct head of בן-בקר phraseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בֶּן בָּקָר = 'son of the herd' = a young calf; the construct phrase identifies a juvenile animal from the cattle herd.
בָּקָ֜רherdN m sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Genitive of בֶּןבָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd'; same word as v7a; בֶּן בָּקָר 'a young bull/calf from the herd' — a prime piece of meat for the feast.
רַ֤ךְtenderadj m sg abs · רַךְ (H7390)Attributive adjectiveרַךְ (H7390) 'tender, soft, young'; describes the quality of the young calf — the most desirable animal for a feast, both tender and prime.
וָטוֹב֙and goodconj וְ + adj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Coordinate attributive adjectiveטוֹב (H2896) 'good, excellent'; paired with רַךְ to describe the ideal animal; Abraham selects only the finest for his guests.
וַיִּתֵּ֣ןand gaveQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, hand over'; Abraham delegates the slaughter and preparation to the servant while he has already selected the animal himself.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the recipient of the calf — the servant who will prepare it.
הַנַּ֔עַרthe servantart + N m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Indirect object of וַיִּתֵּןנַעַר (H5288) 'young man, servant'; Abraham's household attendant who prepares the meat; the quick delegation keeps the pace urgent.
וַיְמַהֵ֖רand he hurriedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · מָהַר (H4116)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָהַר (H4116) 'to hasten'; the third use of this root (vv6a,6b,7); the word becomes a thematic key marking the urgency of Abraham's hospitality.
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתto prepareprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose infinitive→ Inf constr: telic — purpose of the hurryingעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, prepare'; the inf constr expresses the servant's purpose — to dress and cook the calf without delay.
אֹתֽוֹitobj marker + suff 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (referring to the calf)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite direct object; with 3ms suffix = 'it' referring back to the tender calf.
8

וַיִּקַּ֨ח חֶמְאָ֜ה וְחָלָ֗ב וּבֶן הַבָּקָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֖ן לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם וְהֽוּא עֹמֵ֧ד עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם תַּ֥חַת הָעֵ֖ץ וַיֹּאכֵֽלוּ

And he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and he set them before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they ate.

meal service and the guests' eatingand
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּקַּ֨חand he tookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Abraham personally assembles and presents the meal to the guests — the narrative keeps Abraham as the active subject throughout.
חֶמְאָ֜הcurdsN f sg abs · חֶמְאָה (H2529)Direct object of וַיִּקַּח (first)חֶמְאָה (H2529) 'curds, curd, butter'; a dairy product served with the meal; the combination of dairy and meat here has generated discussion in Jewish tradition about kashrut observance in the text.
וְחָלָ֗בand milkconj וְ + N m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Coordinate direct objectחָלָב (H2461) 'milk'; paired with חֶמְאָה; dairy products served alongside meat was normal in pre-Mosaic patriarchal hospitality without anachronism.
וּבֶןand the son ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate direct object (construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בֶּן הַבָּקָר 'the young bull/calf'; the same construction as v7 but now definite (the one Abraham chose).
הַבָּקָר֙the herdart + N m sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Genitive of בֶּן (construct chain)בָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd'; with the article referring back to the specific animal Abraham selected and gave to the servant in v7.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (head of relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle 'who, which, that'; introduces the relative clause describing what was done with the calf.
עָשָׂ֔הhe had preparedQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed action — which he had preparedעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, prepare'; the perfect marks the preparation as completed before the meal is served; the servant has finished the calf.
וַיִּתֵּ֖ןand he setQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, set, place'; Abraham sets the entire meal before the guests — the culmination of the rushed hospitality preparation.
לִפְנֵיהֶ֑םbefore themprep לְ + N m pl constr + suff 3mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence, front'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in front of'; the meal placed 'before them' is the technical expression for formal table service.
וְהֽוּאwhile heconj וְ + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of circumstantial clauseהוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; begins a disjunctive/circumstantial clause describing Abraham's posture during the meal — he stood and served.
עֹמֵ֧דstandingQal ptc m sg abs · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate of circumstantial clause→ Participle: ongoing state — he was standing (serving)עָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; the participle pictures Abraham in the host's posture of standing attendance while the guests eat — the perfect servant-host.
עֲלֵיהֶ֛םover themprep עַל + suff 3mp · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'over, by, beside'; עָמַד עַל = 'to stand over/by' someone being served; Abraham's attentive standing expresses deference and honor toward the guests.
תַּ֥חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; the same tree where he invited them to rest in v4; the narrative circle is complete — they are where Abraham promised.
הָעֵ֖ץthe treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Object of תַּחַתעֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; the specific tree at Mamre's grove; the scene of the meal under the tree provides a naturalistic but sacred setting for the divine encounter.
וַיֹּאכֵֽלוּand they ateQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the visitors' eating is narrated matter-of-factly; the anthropomorphism of divine beings eating has generated extensive interpretive tradition.
9

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵׄלָׄ֔יׄוׄ אַיֵּ֖ה שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הִנֵּ֥ה בָאֹֽהֶל

And they said to him, 'Where is Sarah your wife?' And he said, 'There, in the tent.'

question about Sarah introducing the promise sceneand
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the visitors now take initiative and speak, shifting from recipients of hospitality to agents of promise.
אֵׄלָׄ֔יׄוׄto himprep אֶל + suff 3ms · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (directional)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the dotted letters (extraordinary points) mark this word as textually noteworthy in the Masoretic tradition — possibly signaling a scribal tradition of uncertainty.
אַיֵּ֖הwhereinterrogative particle · אַיֵּה (H346)Interrogative (introducing question)אַיֵּה (H346) 'where?'; the visitors' first question focuses attention on Sarah, whose location and fertility are the central concerns of vv9-15.
שָׂרָ֣הSarahproper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Subject of implied verb (Where is Sarah?)שָׂרָה (H8283) 'Sarah'; the visitors' knowing question about Sarah by name signals their divine foreknowledge and pivots the scene from hospitality to promise.
אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָyour wifeN f sg constr + suff 2ms · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive to שָׂרָהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the appositive 'your wife' further specifies Sarah's role and grounds the coming birth promise in the marital relationship.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Abraham's brief answer redirects to Sarah's location; his response is simple and immediate.
הִנֵּ֥הtherepresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative/locative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, there, here'; functions here as a locative pointer: 'she is right there — in the tent.' Abraham gestures toward the tent.
בָאֹֽהֶלin the tentprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; Sarah is inside while the men converse outside; this separation sets up the dramatic irony of her overhearing the promise in v10.
10

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר שׁ֣וֹב אָשׁ֤וּב אֵלֶ֨יךָ֙ כָּעֵ֣ת חַיָּ֔ה וְהִנֵּה בֵ֖ן לְשָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וְשָׂרָ֥ה שֹׁמַ֛עַת פֶּ֥תַח הָאֹ֖הֶל וְה֥וּא אַחֲרָֽיו

And he said, 'I will surely return to you at this time next year, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.' And Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, and he was behind him.

promise of a son with Sarah overhearingand
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the speaker shifts to one of the visitors (increasingly identifiable as YHWH) who now delivers the birth announcement.
שׁ֣וֹבsurely returningQal inf abs · שׁוּב (H7725)Inf abs (emphatic intensification of main verb)→ Inf abs: emphatic — I will surely/certainly returnשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; the inf abs before the finite verb adds certainty and emphasis: the return is guaranteed, not conditional.
אָשׁ֤וּבI will returnQal impf 1cs · שׁוּב (H7725)Main predicate (divine promise)→ Imperfective: certain future — I will returnשׁוּב (H7725) same root doubled; the speaker promises a definite return visit at the appointed time, implying a fixed divine schedule for the birth.
אֵלֶ֨יךָ֙to youprep אֶל + suff 2ms · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the promise is addressed specifically to Abraham: the speaker will return to him at the appointed time.
כָּעֵ֣תat the time ofprep כְּ + art + N m/f sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phraseעֵת (H6256) 'time, season'; כָּעֵת חַיָּה is a crux: 'at this time of living' or 'when the season revives' = approximately a year hence when Sarah will have given birth.
חַיָּ֔הliving / next yearadj f sg abs · חַי (H2416)Appositive/qualitative modifier of עֵתחַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; כָּעֵת חַיָּה is a temporal idiom debated as 'about this time next year' or 'when life returns/revives'; the sense is a fixed future appointment for the birth.
וְהִנֵּהand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (vivid announcement)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; marks the dramatic announcement of the promise: 'look — Sarah your wife will have a son.'
בֵ֖ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of implied verb (there will be a son)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the climax of the promise; a son for Sarah is the long-delayed fulfillment of the covenant promise of Gen 17.
לְשָׂרָ֣הfor Sarahprep לְ + proper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Benefactive prepositional phraseשָׂרָה (H8283) 'Sarah'; the prep לְ marks the beneficiary; the son is specifically promised for Sarah, addressing the aching center of the story.
אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָyour wifeN f sg constr + suff 2ms · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive to שָׂרָהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; the appositive specifies the relational context; this is not some other woman — the child will come through Sarah, Abraham's wife.
וְשָׂרָ֥הand Sarahconj וְ + proper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Subject of circumstantial clauseשָׂרָה (H8283) 'Sarah'; the narrative now cuts to Sarah's perspective — a circumstantial clause revealing that she overheard the promise.
שֹׁמַ֛עַתwas listeningQal ptc f sg abs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate of circumstantial clause→ Participle: ongoing action — she was listeningשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen'; the feminine participle shows Sarah's continuous eavesdropping; her listening is simultaneous with the promise being given.
פֶּ֥תַחat the entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Locative construct chainפֶּתַח (H6607) 'entrance, doorway'; Sarah stands at the tent entrance — close enough to hear but hidden inside; the same word that opened the chapter (v1).
הָאֹ֖הֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive of פֶּתַחאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; the domestic space where Sarah is concealed; the tent entrance is the spatial threshold between public declaration and private reaction.
וְה֥וּאand heconj וְ + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of second circumstantial clauseהוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun; introduces a second circumstantial note about the visitor's position; the referent of 'he was behind him' remains debated.
אַחֲרָֽיוbehind himprep אַחַר + suff 3ms · אַחַר (H310)Predicate/locative (circumstantial)אַחַר (H310) 'behind, after'; the phrase is famously ambiguous: the messenger stands behind Abraham, or behind the tent entrance near Sarah — a deliberate narrative veiling.
11

וְאַבְרָהָ֤ם וְשָׂרָה֙ זְקֵנִ֔ים בָּאִ֖ים בַּיָּמִ֑ים חָדַל֙ לִהְי֣וֹת לְשָׂרָ֔ה אֹ֖רַח כַּנָּשִֽׁים

Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in days; the way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.

background explanationnow
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאַבְרָהָ֤םnow Abrahamconj וְ + proper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of background explanationאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; the conjunction here introduces background/explanatory information (disjunctive waw) accounting for Sarah's incredulous laughter.
וְשָׂרָה֙and Sarahconj וְ + proper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Coordinated subjectשָׂרָה (H8283) 'Sarah'; paired with Abraham as a compound subject; both are named as a unit of aged impossibility, setting the stage for the miracle.
זְקֵנִ֔יםoldadj m pl abs · זָקֵן (H2205)Predicate adjective (nominal clause)זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elderly'; plural agreeing with the compound subject; the adjective serves as the predicate of a nominal clause providing background explanation.
בָּאִ֖יםadvancedQal ptc m pl abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (parallel to זְקֵנִים)→ Participle: continuous state — entering/advanced in daysבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; בָּאִים בַּיָּמִים 'coming/advanced in days' = an idiom for extreme old age, paralleling Abraham and Sarah's situation precisely.
בַּיָּמִ֑יםin daysprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Locative phrase (idiom for old age)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; בָּאִים בַּיָּמִים 'advanced in days' = well along in years; the idiom for extreme old age appears also in Gen 24:1 and 1 Kgs 1:1.
חָדַל֙had ceasedQal perf 3ms · חָדַל (H2308)Main predicate (explanatory clause)→ Perfective: completed cessation — it had stoppedחָדַל (H2308) 'to cease, stop, fail'; marks the complete cessation of menstruation with the same finality appropriate to Sarah's age.
לִהְי֣וֹתto beprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Complementary infinitive of חָדַל→ Inf constr: complementary to חָדַלהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; the inf constr completes the verb חָדַל: 'it had ceased to be with Sarah the way of women' = cessation of menstruation.
לְשָׂרָ֔הfor Sarahprep לְ + proper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Dative prepositional phrase (possession)שָׂרָה (H8283) 'Sarah'; the prep לְ marks indirect object/possession: 'the way of women had ceased to exist for/with Sarah'.
אֹ֖רַחthe way ofN m/f sg abs · אֹרַח (H734)Subject of חָדַלאֹרַח (H734) 'way, path, custom'; אֹרַח כַּנָּשִׁים 'the way/custom of women' = menstruation; a euphemistic idiom for the cessation of the female reproductive cycle.
כַּנָּשִֽׁיםlike the womenprep כְּ + art + N f pl abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Comparative prepositional phraseאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; כַּנָּשִׁים 'like/as the women' — with the article meaning 'as is the way of women'; a delicate circumlocution for menstruation having permanently ceased.
12

וַתִּצְחַ֥ק שָׂרָ֖ה בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ לֵאמֹ֑ר אַחֲרֵ֤י בְלֹתִי֙ הָֽיְתָה לִּ֣י עֶדְנָ֔ה וַֽאדֹנִ֖י זָקֵֽן

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, 'After I am worn out, shall I have delight? And my lord is old.'

inward response of disbeliefso
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַתִּצְחַ֥קand laughedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · צָחַק (H6711)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceצָחַק (H6711) 'to laugh'; the key verb of the Isaac cycle (cf. יִצְחָק 'Isaac' = 'he laughs'); Sarah's hidden laughter anticipates the child's name.
שָׂרָ֖הSarahproper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Subject of וַתִּצְחַקשָׂרָה (H8283) 'Sarah'; now the central figure; her inner laughter in response to the promise is the pivot of this scene.
בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּwithin herselfprep בְּ + N m sg constr + suff 3fs · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phrase (inward)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'inward part, midst'; בְּקִרְבָּהּ 'within herself, inwardly'; Sarah's laughter is silent and internal — unknown to the men but known to YHWH.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive (introducing inner speech)→ Inf constr: complementary — introducing the content of thoughtאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר here introduces Sarah's unspoken inner monologue — the narrator gives access to her private thoughts.
אַחֲרֵ֤יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; temporal: 'after I am worn out'; introduces Sarah's description of her own post-menopausal condition as the grounds for her incredulity.
בְלֹתִי֙I am worn outQal inf constr + suff 1cs · בָּלָה (H1086)Object of אַחֲרֵי (temporal clause)→ Inf constr: temporal — after my wearing outבָּלָה (H1086) 'to be worn out, wasted, spent'; of garments wearing thin and of human aging; Sarah describes herself as physically spent — past childbearing viability.
הָֽיְתָהwould beQal perf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Main predicate of inner question→ Perfective (rhetorical): a counter-to-fact realityהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; used rhetorically as 'shall/would there be for me delight?' — the perfect may express the incredulity of what would have to occur for the promise to be true.
לִּ֣יto meprep לְ + suff 1cs · לְDative prepositional phrase (beneficiary)לְ (prep) dative marker; 'for me, to me'; Sarah questions whether such pleasure/delight could really come to her at her advanced age.
עֶדְנָ֔הdelightN f sg abs · עֶדְנָה (H5730)Subject of הָיְתָהעֶדְנָה (H5730) 'pleasure, delight, sensual vitality'; a rare word; probably refers to renewed physical/sexual vitality — the biological condition necessary for conception; a hapax in this form.
וַֽאדֹנִ֖יand my lordconj וְ + N m pl constr + suff 1cs · אָדוֹן (H113)Subject of nominal clauseאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; Sarah's affectionate/respectful reference to Abraham; she adds a second obstacle — he too is old, reinforcing the biological impossibility.
זָקֵֽןis oldQal perf 3ms · זָקֵן (H2204)Predicate of nominal clause (stative verb)→ Perfective (stative): permanent condition — is oldזָקֵן (H2204) 'to be old'; a stative verb used as predicate; paired with Sarah's own worn-out state to present the double biological impossibility confronting the promise.
13

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל אַבְרָהָ֑ם לָ֣מָּה זֶּה֩ צָחֲקָ֨ה שָׂרָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר הַאַ֥ף אֻמְנָ֛ם אֵלֵ֖ד וַאֲנִ֥י זָקַֽנְתִּי

And Yahweh said to Abraham, 'Why is it that Sarah laughed, saying, "Shall I really bear a child, old as I am?"'

divine challengeand
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; YHWH now speaks to Abraham but the content quotes Sarah's hidden thought — demonstrating divine omniscience of unspoken words.
יְהוָ֖הYahwehproper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068) the divine name; used explicitly here for the first time addressing Abraham directly — the narrator removes any remaining ambiguity about the speaker's identity.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the addressee of YHWH's speech — Abraham, not Sarah directly, though the challenge concerns her.
אַבְרָהָ֑םAbrahamproper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Object of אֶלאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; YHWH addresses Abraham about Sarah's laughter, putting Abraham in the position of confronting the implicit denial.
לָ֣מָּהwhyprep לְ + interrogative מָה · מָה (H4100)Interrogative (introducing challenge)מָה (H4100) 'what'; לָמָּה = 'why?'; YHWH's question is a challenge that exposes Sarah's unbelief while implicitly calling Abraham to address it.
זֶּה֩thisdem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative (emphatic filler)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; a deictic intensifier following לָמָּה: 'why this (thing)? why is it that...?' — adding emphasis to the divine challenge.
צָחֲקָ֨הlaughedQal perf 3fs · צָחַק (H6711)Predicate of embedded question→ Perfective: completed interior act — she laughedצָחַק (H6711) 'to laugh'; YHWH names Sarah's hidden action, demonstrating that even inward laughter is known to him; the Isaac wordplay continues.
שָׂרָ֜הSarahproper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Subject of צָחֲקָהשָׂרָה (H8283) 'Sarah'; named explicitly by YHWH, not by indirect reference — the divine confrontation is personal and precise.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive (content marker)→ Inf constr: introducing the content of the laughterאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר introduces what Sarah said in her heart — YHWH quotes her private thought word-for-word, proving his omniscience.
הַאַ֥ףreally? indeed?interrogative הֲ + adverb · אַף (H637)Rhetorical interrogative particleאַף (H637) 'also, even, indeed'; הַאַף 'is it really true that...?' — an emphatic question particle expressing incredulity; YHWH quotes Sarah's doubt precisely.
אֻמְנָ֛םtrulyadverb · אֻמְנָם (H552)Asseverative/emphatic adverbאֻמְנָם (H552) 'truly, really, indeed'; strengthens Sarah's incredulous question: 'Will I really truly give birth?' — the adverb marks it as expressing disbelief at a claimed reality.
אֵלֵ֖דbear a childQal impf 1cs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Imperfective: modal — can I possibly give birth?יָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; Qal impf 1cs in a rhetorical question: 'Shall I indeed bear a child?' — Sarah's incredulous self-assessment.
וַאֲנִ֥יand Iconj וְ + pers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of circumstantial clause (concessive)אֲנִי (H589) 'I'; the independent pronoun emphasizes Sarah as the subject of the concessive clause: 'and I, even I, who have grown old?'
זָקַֽנְתִּיhave grown oldQal perf 1cs · זָקֵן (H2204)Predicate of concessive clause→ Perfective (stative): a permanent condition — I am oldזָקֵן (H2204) 'to be/grow old'; Sarah's laughter quotes her own self-assessment of biological impossibility — the same word used of Abraham's oldness in v12.
14

הֲיִפָּלֵ֥א מֵיְהוָ֖ה דָּבָ֑ר לַמּוֹעֵ֞ד אָשׁ֥וּב אֵלֶ֛יךָ כָּעֵ֥ת חַיָּ֖ה וּלְשָׂרָ֥ה בֵֽן

Is anything too wonderful for Yahweh? At the appointed time I will return to you, at the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

theological rebuttal and renewed promiseהֲיִפָּלֵא
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
הֲיִפָּלֵ֥אis anything too wonderfulinterrogative הֲ + Niphal impf 3ms · פָּלָא (H6381)Rhetorical question (theological center)→ Imperfective (Niphal): modal — can anything be too wonderful?פָּלָא (H6381) 'to be wonderful, extraordinary, beyond human power'; Niphal 'to be too difficult, beyond ability'; this is the theological center of the chapter and the answer is no.
מֵיְהוָ֖הfor Yahwehprep מִן + proper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase (standard of comparison)יְהוָה (H3068) the divine name; the rhetorical question anchors the impossibility in relation to YHWH's unlimited power: nothing is too wonderful for him.
דָּבָ֑רa thingN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of יִפָּלֵאדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; 'Is any thing too wonderful for YHWH?' — the rhetorical question implies the answer: nothing lies outside YHWH's power.
לַמּוֹעֵ֞דat the appointed timeprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Temporal prepositional phraseמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, set time, meeting place'; used of sacred calendrical appointments; YHWH will return at a divinely fixed moment — not vaguely 'next year'.
אָשׁ֥וּבI will returnQal impf 1cs · שׁוּב (H7725)Main predicate (renewed divine promise)→ Imperfective: certain future — I will returnשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; repeats the promise of v10; the divine commitment is repeated in full after the challenge of Sarah's laughter, as if unshaken.
אֵלֶ֛יךָto youprep אֶל + suff 2ms · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the promise is again addressed specifically to Abraham (2ms suffix); the return and the birth are held together as a single divine action.
כָּעֵ֥תat the time ofprep כְּ + art + N m/f sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phraseעֵת (H6256) 'time, season'; repeated from v10; the same temporal formula reinforces that this is a fixed divine appointment, not an indefinite future.
חַיָּ֖הliving / next yearadj f sg abs · חַי (H2416)Appositive modifier of עֵתחַי (H2416) 'living'; repeated from v10; the phrase כָּעֵת חַיָּה marks the set time of the promised birth, approximately one year hence.
וּלְשָׂרָ֥הand for Sarahconj וְ + prep לְ + proper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Benefactive prepositional phraseשָׂרָה (H8283) 'Sarah'; the promised son is restated as belonging to Sarah specifically — in direct response to her incredulous laughter about her own body.
בֵֽןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of implied predicate (there shall be a son)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the promise closes as it opened in v10 — a son for Sarah. The repetition after the laughter episode emphasizes YHWH's unwavering commitment.
15

וַתְּכַחֵ֨שׁ שָׂרָ֧ה לֵאמֹ֛ר לֹ֥א צָחַ֖קְתִּי כִּ֣י יָרֵ֑אָה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר לֹ֖א כִּ֥י צָחָֽקְתְּ

But Sarah denied it, saying, 'I did not laugh,' for she was afraid. And he said, 'No, but you did laugh.'

fearful denial and divine correctionbut
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַתְּכַחֵ֨שׁand deniedPiel wayyiqtol 3fs · כָּחַשׁ (H3584)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּחַשׁ (H3584) 'to deny, disown, be deceptive'; Piel intensifies: Sarah actively denies her laughter; fear drives her to falsehood before the divine interrogator.
שָׂרָ֧הSarahproper N · שָׂרָה (H8283)Subject of וַתְּכַחֵשׁשָׂרָה (H8283) 'Sarah'; explicitly named as the agent of the denial; her fear and self-protection are understandable but exposed as futile before omniscient YHWH.
לֵאמֹ֛רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive (content marker)→ Inf constr: introducing direct speech contentאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר introduces Sarah's spoken denial — now spoken aloud, unlike the silent laughter of v12.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of verbal clauseלֹא (H3808) standard Hebrew negative; Sarah's flat denial: 'I did not laugh' — a direct falsehood spoken out of fear.
צָחַ֖קְתִּיI laughedQal perf 1cs · צָחַק (H6711)Predicate of denial→ Perfective: completed action (being denied)צָחַק (H6711) 'to laugh'; the same root as the Isaac wordplay; Sarah denies the very action that gave the promised child his name.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; the narrator provides the reason for Sarah's denial — fear. This causal כִּי is parenthetical narrative explanation.
יָרֵ֑אָהshe was afraidQal perf 3fs · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate of causal clause→ Perfective (stative): a state of fear — she fearedיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear, be afraid'; the stative perfect explains Sarah's denial; fear of divine exposure drives the falsehood.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; YHWH responds directly to Sarah's denial; the divine correction is firm but not punitive — correcting the falsehood and closing the episode.
לֹ֖אnonegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (refutation of denial)לֹא (H3808) strong negative; a single-word refutation of Sarah's claim: 'No (you are wrong)' — YHWH will not allow the denial to stand.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Asseverative/causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, indeed, because'; here asseverative: 'No — indeed you did laugh'; grounds YHWH's refutation with a fact he knows directly.
צָחָֽקְתְּyou did laughQal perf 2fs · צָחַק (H6711)Predicate (divine corrective assertion)→ Perfective: an irrefutable completed act — you laughedצָחַק (H6711) 'to laugh'; YHWH's final word asserts what he knows; the 2fs perfect addresses Sarah directly; the laughter is confirmed, not punished — but known.
16

וַיָּקֻ֤מוּ מִשָּׁם֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים וַיַּשְׁקִ֖פוּ עַל פְּנֵ֣י סְדֹ֑ם וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם הֹלֵ֥ךְ עִמָּ֖ם לְשַׁלְּחָֽם

Then the men rose from there and looked down toward Sodom, while Abraham was walking with them to send them on.

Narrative transition from hospitality scene to the Sodom missionוַיָּקֻמוּ
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיָּקֻ֤מוּand roseQal wayyiqtol 3mp · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, arise, stand up'; signals the formal end of the hospitality scene and the beginning of the visitors' departure toward Sodom.
מִשָּׁם֙from thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative prepositional phrase (point of departure)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; מִשָּׁם = 'from there' — from the place of the meal and the promise; marks the narrative departure from Mamre toward Sodom.
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וַיָּקֻמוּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the visitors are again called 'the men'; the narrator maintains the ambiguity of their identity even as they move toward the city of judgment.
וַיַּשְׁקִ֖פוּand looked downHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁקַף (H8259)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁקַף (H8259) 'to look out/down from above'; Hiphil 'to gaze upon'; used for looking down from a height — likely from the hills of Mamre toward the Jordan plain.
עַלtowardprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over, toward'; with שָׁקַף = 'to look down upon/toward'; the visitors survey the city of Sodom from the elevated vantage of Mamre.
פְּנֵ֣יface ofN m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct chain (directional)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, surface, front'; עַל פְּנֵי 'toward/overlooking'; the visitors look out 'over the face of Sodom' — a spatial expression for looking down toward the city.
סְדֹ֑םSodomproper N · סְדֹם (H5467)Genitive of פְּנֵיסְדֹם (H5467) 'Sodom'; the city toward which the narrative now pivots; its destruction is the outcome toward which both the visitors and the narrative are moving.
וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔םand Abrahamconj וְ + proper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of circumstantial clauseאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; the waw disjunctive introduces a circumstantial clause showing Abraham's active accompaniment of the visitors as host.
הֹלֵ֥ךְwalkingQal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate participle (circumstantial)→ Participle: continuous action — Abraham was walking alongsideהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; the participle pictures Abraham accompanying the visitors — both as hospitality custom and as the posture of escort appropriate to honored guests.
עִמָּ֖םwith themprep עִם + suff 3mp · עִם (H5973)Accompaniment prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with, together with'; Abraham walks in company with the visitors — the host escorts his guests on their way, a customary act of hospitality honor.
לְשַׁלְּחָֽםto send them offprep לְ + Piel inf constr + suff 3mp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Purpose infinitive→ Inf constr (Piel): telic — purpose of walking with themשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send, dismiss, escort'; Piel 'to send off, accompany as escort'; לְשַׁלְּחָם = 'to see them off' — the final act of the host's hospitality obligations.
17

וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אָמָ֑ר הַֽמְכַסֶּ֤ה אֲנִי֙ מֵֽאַבְרָהָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֲנִ֥י עֹשֶֽׂה

And Yahweh said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?"

Divine self-deliberation introducing revelatory disclosureוַיהוָה
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַֽיהֹוָ֖הand Yahwehconj וְ + proper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of deliberative statementיְהוָה (H3068) the divine name; the waw here introduces a new scene of divine deliberation; YHWH considers whether to disclose his plans to Abraham.
אָמָ֑רsaidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Main predicate (divine self-deliberation)→ Perfective: completed deliberative speech — YHWH said (to himself)אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; here the verb introduces divine self-deliberation — an interior divine reflection on whether to reveal Sodom's fate to Abraham.
הַֽמְכַסֶּ֤הshall I hideinterrogative הֲ + Piel ptc m sg abs · כָּסָה (H3680)Rhetorical question (divine deliberation)→ Participle (Piel): deliberative — am I to conceal?כָּסָה (H3680) 'to cover, conceal, hide'; Piel intensive; the interrogative participle frames a divine internal question: 'Should I hide from Abraham what I am doing?'
אֲנִי֙Ipers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of הַמְכַסֶּהאֲנִי (H589) 1cs independent pronoun; the emphatic 'I' underscores that this is YHWH himself who would be the one concealing or revealing — a deliberate divine decision.
מֵֽאַבְרָהָ֔םfrom Abrahamprep מִן + proper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Prepositional phrase (person kept in the dark)אַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; the one from whom concealment would happen; YHWH's deliberation centers on whether Abraham deserves to be told what is about to occur.
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (object of כַּסֶּה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) 'which, what, that'; introduces the relative clause specifying the content of what might be concealed — 'what I am doing to Sodom'.
אֲנִ֥יIpers pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of participial/relative clauseאֲנִי (H589) 1cs pronoun repeated for emphasis; YHWH stresses his own agency in the coming action — it is YHWH who acts, and he considers whether Abraham should know.
עֹשֶֽׂהam doingQal ptc m sg abs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate participle of relative clause→ Participle: ongoing/imminent action — what I am about to doעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; the participle indicates an action in progress or about to happen — YHWH's judgment on Sodom is imminent.
18

וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם הָי֧וֹ יִֽהְיֶ֛ה לְג֥וֹי גָּד֖וֹל וְעָצ֑וּם וְנִ֨בְרְכוּ ב֔וֹ כֹּ֖ל גּוֹיֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ

Since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him,

Ground for disclosure stated in covenantal termsוְאַבְרָהָם
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔םsince Abrahamconj וְ + proper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of causal/concessive clauseאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; the waw + noun clause introduces the grounds for YHWH's decision to disclose: Abraham's covenant destiny is the reason for the revelation.
הָי֧וֹsurely becomingQal inf abs · הָיָה (H1961)Inf abs (emphatic intensification)→ Inf abs: emphatic — Abraham will surely becomeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the inf abs before the finite verb emphasizes the certainty of Abraham's future as a great nation.
יִֽהְיֶ֛הwill becomeQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Main predicate (covenant description)→ Imperfective: certain future — he will becomeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the doubled construction (inf abs + impf) = 'he will surely become'; the certainty of Abraham's future as a great nation underpins the disclosure.
לְג֥וֹיa nationprep לְ + N m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Predicate complement (what Abraham will become)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; the prep לְ marks the predicate complement; the covenantal promise of Gen 12:2 and 17:4 is here recalled as the basis for YHWH's disclosure.
גָּד֖וֹלgreatadj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjectiveגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large, numerous'; describes the nation that Abraham will become; the covenant promise extends beyond Abraham to a vast future people.
וְעָצ֑וּםand mightyconj וְ + adj m sg abs · עָצוּם (H6099)Coordinate attributive adjectiveעָצוּם (H6099) 'mighty, powerful, numerous'; paired with גָּדוֹל; both words together describe the full scope of Abraham's promised national destiny.
וְנִ֨בְרְכוּand will be blessedconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3cp · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Weqatal (sequential future)→ Weqatal: consequential future — nations will be blessedבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Niphal 'to be blessed' (or reflexive 'bless themselves'); the universal blessing through Abraham is the ultimate telos of election (cf. Gen 12:3).
ב֔וֹin himprep בְּ + suff 3ms · בְּPrepositional phrase (agent/source of blessing)בְּ (prep) 'in, through, by means of'; the nations are blessed through Abraham — either passively (blessed through him) or reflexively (invoking his name in blessing).
כֹּ֖לallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of וְנִבְרְכוּכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; כֹּל גּוֹיֵי הָאָרֶץ = 'all the nations of the earth'; the universality of the blessing through Abraham grounds the covenant's global scope.
גּוֹיֵ֥יnations ofN m pl constr · גּוֹי (H1471)Construct head (construct chain)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the plural construct links to הָאָרֶץ; the full phrase 'all the nations of the earth' echoes Gen 12:3 and 22:18.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of גּוֹיֵיאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the universal scope — all the nations of the entire earth will be blessed through Abraham; the Abrahamic covenant has cosmic reach.
19

כִּ֣י יְדַעְתִּ֗יו לְמַעַן֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְצַוֶּ֜ה אֶת בָּנָ֤יו וְאֶת בֵּיתוֹ֙ אַחֲרָ֔יו וְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יְהוָ֔ה לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת צְדָקָ֖ה וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט לְמַ֗עַן הָבִ֤יא יְהוָה֙ עַל אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּ֖ר עָלָֽיו

for I have known him, so that he may command his children and his household after him, and they may keep the way of Yahweh by doing righteousness and justice, so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham what he has spoken concerning him.

Explanation of Abraham's election in ethical and covenantal termsכִּי
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds the disclosure decision of v17-18 in YHWH's intimate covenantal knowledge of Abraham; the reason revelation is appropriate.
יְדַעְתִּ֗יוI have known himQal perf 1cs + suff 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (divine election statement)→ Perfective: a completed relational act — I chose/knew himיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; here in the sense of intimate, elective knowing (cf. Amos 3:2); YHWH's knowledge of Abraham is not merely cognitive but covenantal and elective.
לְמַעַן֩so thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunctionלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, so that'; introduces the purpose of divine election: Abraham is chosen not simply to receive blessing but to transmit righteousness and justice.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/complementizerאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'that, which'; with לְמַעַן forms a purpose clause: 'so that he might command his children'; the election has a defined moral telos.
יְצַוֶּ֜הhe may commandPiel impf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate of purpose clause→ Imperfective (Piel): modal — so that he might commandצָוָה (H6680) 'to command, charge, commission'; Piel intensive; Abraham's vocation is to instruct his household in the way of YHWH — a moral and pedagogical mission.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the definite direct objects of יְצַוֶּה — his sons and his household.
בָּנָ֤יוhis sonsN m pl constr + suff 3ms · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of יְצַוֶּהבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Abraham's immediate descendants; the chain of transmission goes from Abraham to his sons to the wider household and beyond.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi joining the second object; extends the scope of Abraham's command from sons to the entire household.
בֵּיתוֹ֙his householdN m sg constr + suff 3ms · בַּיִת (H1004)Coordinate direct objectבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; the extended family and dependants; Abraham's moral commission extends to all under his authority and care.
אַחֲרָ֔יוafter himprep אַחַר + suff 3ms · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phrase (succession)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; אַחֲרָיו 'after him' = after his death; the command extends to future generations — it is a transmission of ethical vocation, not merely a personal duty.
וְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙and keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Weqatal (consequential/purpose)→ Weqatal: consequential future — so they may keepשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; the keeping of YHWH's way is the expected outcome of Abraham's commanding his household; shaping future generations in covenant faithfulness.
דֶּ֣רֶךְthe way ofN m/f sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Construct head (object of שָׁמְרוּ)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, path'; metaphorically 'way of life, moral path'; דֶּרֶךְ יְהוָה 'the way of YHWH' = the ethical path defined by YHWH's character and commands.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of דֶּרֶךְיְהוָה (H3068) 'Yahweh'; the genitive specifies whose way is to be kept — this is not generic morality but covenant ethics defined by YHWH's revealed character.
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתby doingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose/modal infinitive (specifying the way)→ Inf constr: specifying content — by practicing righteousnessעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, practice'; the inf constr specifies what 'keeping the way of YHWH' means in practice: doing צְדָקָה וּמִשְׁפָּט.
צְדָקָ֖הrighteousnessN f sg abs · צְדָקָה (H6666)Direct object of לַעֲשׂוֹתצְדָקָה (H6666) 'righteousness, right action, covenant faithfulness'; paired with מִשְׁפָּט; the moral pair forms the core content of the way of YHWH for Abraham's household.
וּמִשְׁפָּ֑טand justiceconj וְ + N m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Coordinate direct objectמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, justice, legal right'; paired with צְדָקָה as a hendiadys for the full range of right moral action; this same pair becomes the criterion for YHWH's judgment of Sodom in vv23-25.
לְמַ֗עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction (final clause)לְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that'; introduces the final divine purpose: YHWH's promise to Abraham depends on Abraham's household practicing justice; election and ethics are inseparable.
הָבִ֤יאbringHiphil inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Inf constr as predicate of final purpose clause→ Inf constr (Hiphil): telic — so that YHWH may bringבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go'; Hiphil 'to bring'; the inf constr expresses the ultimate goal: YHWH bringing upon Abraham all he has promised — contingent on covenant faithfulness.
יְהוָה֙Yahwehproper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הָבִיא (inf constr)יְהוָה (H3068) 'Yahweh'; explicitly named as the agent who will bring the covenant promises to fulfillment — election depends on YHWH's faithfulness, not Abraham's merit alone.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, onto'; הָבִיא עַל = 'to bring upon'; used for the fulfillment of promises as well as judgment; here for the covenantal blessings YHWH intends for Abraham.
אַבְרָהָ֔םAbrahamproper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Indirect object of הָבִיאאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; the covenant promises come to Abraham specifically; his descendants' faithfulness is the instrument through which YHWH's purpose reaches Abraham.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the object of הָבִיא — 'that which he has spoken concerning him'.
אֲשֶׁרwhatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (object clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) 'what, that which'; introduces a relative clause: 'all that he has spoken concerning him' = the full content of the Abrahamic covenant.
דִּבֶּ֖רhe has spokenPiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective (Piel): completed speech — what he saidדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel; the perfect refers back to all of YHWH's prior covenantal speeches to Abraham — Gen 12, 15, 17; those words will be fulfilled.
עָלָֽיוconcerning himprep עַל + suff 3ms · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (referent)עַל (H5921) 'concerning, about, upon'; עָלָיו = 'concerning him/about him'; specifies Abraham as the referent of YHWH's earlier covenantal speech.
20

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה זַעֲקַ֛ת סְדֹ֥ם וַעֲמֹרָ֖ה כִּי רָ֑בָּה וְחַ֨טָּאתָ֔ם כִּ֥י כָבְדָ֖ה מְאֹֽד

And Yahweh said, "Because the outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and because their sin is exceedingly heavy,

Transition from rationale for disclosure to statement of judicial groundsוַיֹּאמֶר
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; YHWH now speaks aloud the judicial grounds for his investigation of Sodom, transitioning from deliberation to declaration.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068) 'Yahweh'; explicitly named as the speaker; the judicial declaration comes from the divine Judge himself.
זַעֲקַ֛תoutcry ofN f sg constr · זַעֲקָה (H2201)Subject of כִּי רָבָּהזַעֲקָה (H2201) 'outcry, cry for help'; the outcry of a victim before a divine tribunal; the legal metaphor runs throughout vv20-21; justice begins with hearing the cry of victims.
סְדֹ֥םSodomproper N · סְדֹם (H5467)Genitive of זַעֲקַתסְדֹם (H5467) 'Sodom'; the first member of the pair Sodom-and-Gomorrah; cities of the Jordan plain notorious in the tradition for sexual violence and inhospitality.
וַעֲמֹרָ֖הand Gomorrahconj וְ + proper N · עֲמֹרָה (H6017)Coordinate genitiveעֲמֹרָה (H6017) 'Gomorrah'; paired with Sodom as the twin cities of wickedness in the plain; both are subject to the same judicial inquiry.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/asseverative conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because, indeed'; here asseverative: 'the outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great'; grounds the judicial characterization.
רָ֑בָּהis greatQal perf 3fs · רָבַב (H7227)Predicate of causal clause→ Perfective (stative): ongoing magnitude — is exceedingly greatרָבַב/רָבָה (H7227) 'to be many, great'; the stative perfect describes the sheer scale of the outcry that has reached YHWH — justifying divine investigation.
וְחַ֨טָּאתָ֔םand their sinconj וְ + N f sg constr + suff 3mp · חַטָּאת (H2403)Subject of second predicate clauseחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin, offense, wrongdoing'; the noun used for moral and cultic violation; the 3mp suffix refers to Sodom and Gomorrah together.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/asseverative conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because, indeed'; second כִּי emphasizing the extreme weight of the sin — 'their sin is indeed very heavy'.
כָבְדָ֖הis heavyQal perf 3fs · כָּבֵד (H3513)Predicate of second causal clause→ Perfective (stative): extreme weight — is exceedingly heavyכָּבֵד (H3513) 'to be heavy, weighty'; a stative verb; the heaviness of their sin corresponds to the heaviness (gravity) of the divine response — the imagery of scales and weight in ancient Near Eastern justice.
מְאֹֽדexceedinglyadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb of degreeמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly, greatly'; the superlative adverb intensifies both the greatness of the outcry and the heaviness of the sin; leaves no doubt about the severity of the situation.
21

אֵֽרֲדָה נָּ֣א וְאֶרְאֶ֔ה הַכְּצַעֲקָתָ֛הּ הַבָּ֥אָה אֵלַ֖י עָשׂ֣וּ כָּלָ֑ה וְאִם לֹ֖א אֵדָֽעָה

I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to its outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.

Divine resolve to verify the judicial reportאֵרֲדָה
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
אֵֽרֲדָהlet me go downQal cohortative 1cs · יָרַד (H3381)Main predicate (divine resolve)→ Cohortative: first-person resolve — I will go downיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; the cohortative expresses YHWH's own decided action; the anthropomorphic 'going down' for judicial investigation is not naïve but a literary convention for transparent due process.
נָּ֣אnowparticle of entreaty/urgency · נָא (H4994)Particle of immediacyנָא (H4994) here not softening a request but adding urgency/immediacy to YHWH's own determination: 'I will go down now'; the same particle used in hospitality contexts now marks divine judicial dispatch.
וְאֶרְאֶ֔הand seeconj וְ + Qal cohortative 1cs · רָאָה (H7200)Coordinate cohortative→ Cohortative: first-person intent — I will seeרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the divine 'seeing' is not investigative ignorance but anthropomorphic language for judicially transparent and grounded examination.
הַכְּצַעֲקָתָ֛הּwhether as its outcryinterrogative הֲ + prep כְּ + N f sg constr + suff 3fs · צַעֲקָה (H6818)Interrogative prepositional phrase (comparison)צַעֲקָה (H6818) 'outcry, cry'; כְּ + suffix 'as its cry' = 'according to its outcry'; the judicial question: does the reality match the report? A fair trial requires verification.
הַבָּ֥אָהthat has comeart + Qal ptc f sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Attributive participle modifying זַעֲקָה→ Participle: ongoing state — the outcry that reached meבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; the feminine participle agrees with זַעֲקָה; 'the outcry that has come to me' — the judicial complaint has formally reached YHWH's court.
אֵלַ֖יto meprep אֶל + suff 1cs · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the outcry has come specifically to YHWH — he is the divine Judge to whom victims appeal; this frames the investigation as a judicial hearing.
עָשׂ֣וּthey have doneQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate of indirect question→ Perfective: the alleged completed acts — what they have doneעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; the 3cp refers to the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah; YHWH will verify whether they have indeed done all the outcry alleges.
כָּלָ֑הcompletelyN f sg abs · כָּלָה (H3617)Adverbial accusative (totality)כָּלָה (H3617) 'completeness, entirety, destruction'; here adverbially 'completely, altogether'; YHWH will see whether the full outcry is matched by the full reality.
וְאִםand if notconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Alternative conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; with the preceding context: 'and if not (if the reality does not match)'; the divine investigation is genuinely open to either outcome — fair judicial process.
לֹ֖אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (completing the conditional)לֹא (H3808) standard negative; וְאִם לֹא = 'and if not'; YHWH's language preserves the possibility that the outcry may be exaggerated — the investigation is not predetermined.
אֵדָֽעָהI will knowQal impf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Apodosis of conditional→ Imperfective: deliberate future knowing — I will come to knowיָדַע (H3045) 'to know, find out'; the cohortative/jussive imperfect: 'I will determine for myself'; YHWH's judicial investigation will produce certain knowledge — not ignorance resolved but due process demonstrated.
22

וַיִּפְנ֤וּ מִשָּׁם֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ סְדֹ֑מָה וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם עוֹדֶ֥נּוּ עֹמֵ֖ד לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה

So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham was still standing before YHWH.

Scene transition: the visitors move toward judgment while Abraham remains in the divine presenceוַיִּפְנוּ
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּפְנ֤וּand turnedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · פָּנָה (H6437)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn, face'; the men turn from Abraham's place toward Sodom — the judgment mission begins in earnest.
מִשָּׁם֙from thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative prepositional phrase (departure)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; מִשָּׁם = 'from that place' — from Mamre, the site of hospitality and promise; a clear spatial transition marker.
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וַיִּפְנוּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the men — the two who will go to Sodom (cf. Gen 19:1); the narrator preserves the designation 'men' even at this point of departure.
וַיֵּלְכ֖וּand wentQal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the departure of the two visitors to Sodom sets the scene for Gen 19; the scene bifurcates — some go to Sodom, Abraham remains with YHWH.
סְדֹ֑מָהtoward Sodomproper N + directional ה · סְדֹם (H5467)Directional accusativeסְדֹם (H5467) 'Sodom'; with directional suffix -āh 'toward Sodom'; the city of judgment is the destination; the suffix marks movement toward it.
וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔םbut Abrahamconj וְ + proper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of contrastive/circumstantial clauseאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; the waw disjunctive introduces a contrastive clause: while the men go to Sodom, Abraham remains with YHWH — the stage for the intercession is set.
עוֹדֶ֥נּוּstill headverb + suff 3ms · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb with enclitic pronoun (subject)עוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, again'; עוֹדֶנּוּ = 'he was still'; the suffix functions as the subject of the participial clause; Abraham remains while the others depart.
עֹמֵ֖דstandingQal ptc m sg abs · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate participle (circumstantial)→ Participle: continuous state — he was standingעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; the standing posture before YHWH implies attendance in a judicial context — Abraham is not passive but positioned to speak.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of'; standing before YHWH is a judicial idiom — Abraham is the petitioner before the divine Judge.
יְהוָֽהYahwehproper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068) 'Yahweh'; Abraham stands before the divine Judge; this framing makes the intercession of vv23-32 a formal juridical appeal before YHWH's court.
23

וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַאַ֣ף תִּסְפֶּ֔ה צַדִּ֖יק עִם רָשָֽׁע

And Abraham came near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?"

Intercessory opening: Abraham begins his appeal by challenging indiscriminate judgmentוַיִּגַּשׁ
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּגַּ֥שׁand drew nearQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to draw near, approach'; used of approaching a superior or a deity for petition; Abraham's drawing near marks the formal beginning of intercession.
אַבְרָהָ֖םAbrahamproper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of וַיִּגַּשׁאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; explicitly named as the one who approaches; his bold yet reverent intercession is the defining moment of his covenant relationship with YHWH.
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Abraham's first intercessory speech; the drawing near and speaking together constitute the formal act of petition before the divine court.
הַאַ֣ףwill you indeedinterrogative הֲ + adverb · אַף (H637)Interrogative emphatic particleאַף (H637) 'also, even, indeed'; הַאַף 'will you really...?' — an emphatic rhetorical question expressing Abraham's disbelief that righteous and wicked would share the same fate.
תִּסְפֶּ֔הsweep awayQal impf 2ms · סָפָה (H5595)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Imperfective: modal/deliberative — will you really sweep away?סָפָה (H5595) 'to sweep away, destroy, engulf'; used of comprehensive destruction; Abraham's challenge targets the principle of collective punishment without discrimination.
צַדִּ֖יקthe righteousadj m sg abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Direct object of תִּסְפֶּהצַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous, just'; the righteous person(s) within the city; Abraham's first intercessory argument is the moral wrongness of destroying the innocent with the guilty.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Comitative prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with, together with'; marks the association of righteous and wicked in the same fate; Abraham argues that mingling their fate violates divine justice.
רָשָֽׁעthe wickedadj m sg abs · רָשָׁע (H7563)Object of עִםרָשָׁע (H7563) 'wicked, guilty'; the antonym of צַדִּיק; the pairing צַדִּיק/רָשָׁע is the fundamental moral binary in Israelite legal and wisdom thought.
24

אוּלַ֥י יֵ֛שׁ חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים צַדִּיקִ֖ם בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֑יר הַאַ֤ף תִּסְפֶּה֙ וְלֹא תִשָּׂ֣א לַמָּק֔וֹם לְמַ֛עַן חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים הַצַּדִּיקִ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּקִרְבָּֽהּ

Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are within it?

First bargaining proposal: Abraham introduces a concrete righteous remnant as the basis for sparingאוּלַי
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
אוּלַ֥יperhapsadverb · אוּלַי (H194)Modal adverb (concessive possibility)אוּלַי (H194) 'perhaps, maybe'; introduces Abraham's hypothetical: what if there are fifty righteous? The word recurs at each stage of the descent (vv28,29,30,31,32).
יֵ֛שׁthere areexistential particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Existential predicateיֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is/are'; the existential particle predicating the possible presence of righteous people within Sodom; Abraham posits a hypothetical scenario.
חֲמִשִּׁ֥יםfiftycardinal numeral m/f pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Subject complement of יֵשׁ clauseחֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; Abraham's opening number in the intercession; a round number representing a communal threshold; the descent to ten will test where YHWH's mercy stands.
צַדִּיקִ֖םrighteousadj m pl abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Subject complement (what the fifty are)צַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous'; the righteous within the city are the entire basis of Abraham's intercessory argument — their presence should spare the whole place.
בְּת֣וֹךְwithinprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle, interior'; בְּתוֹךְ הָעִיר = 'within the city'; the righteous are located inside Sodom itself, not outside; their presence in the city is the ground for its potential sparing.
הָעִ֑ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive of תוֹךְעִיר (H5892) 'city, town'; the city itself — Sodom — is the subject of potential salvation based on its righteous residents; the city stands or falls with its moral character.
הַאַ֤ףwill you indeedinterrogative הֲ + adverb · אַף (H637)Interrogative emphatic particle (repeated)אַף (H637) emphatic interrogative; repeated from v23 for rhetorical emphasis; the second הַאַף presses the question with greater urgency given the hypothetical fifty righteous.
תִּסְפֶּה֙sweep awayQal impf 2ms · סָפָה (H5595)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Imperfective: deliberative — will you really sweep it away?סָפָה (H5595) 'to sweep away, destroy'; repeated from v23; the second occurrence presses the same verb against the specific hypothetical of fifty righteous within the city.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative · לֹא (H3808)Negative (contrastive continuation)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; with conjunction: 'and not spare' — the negative frames the expected alternative to destruction: forgiving/sparing the place.
תִשָּׂ֣אforgive / spareQal impf 2ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate of negative question→ Imperfective: modal — will you not lift/forgive?נָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, forgive'; נָשָׂא לְ 'to lift up for, forgive on behalf of'; a legal term for pardon — Abraham asks whether YHWH will grant legal acquittal to the whole place.
לַמָּק֔וֹםthe placeprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Indirect object of תִשָּׂא (beneficiary)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place, location'; refers to the entire city of Sodom; 'the place' becomes a fixed term in this negotiation for the city as a whole whose fate hangs in the balance.
לְמַ֛עַןfor the sake ofprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose/causal prepositional phraseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, on account of'; Abraham's argument is that the righteous within can be the ground for the city's sparing — their merits transfer to the place.
חֲמִשִּׁ֥יםfiftycardinal numeral m/f pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Object of לְמַעַןחֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; the first number in the intercession; Abraham proposes that fifty righteous should be sufficient grounds for sparing the entire city.
הַצַּדִּיקִ֖םthe righteousart + adj m pl abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Appositive/modifier of fiftyצַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous'; with the article now definite — 'the fifty righteous' (as a recognized group); Abraham has moved from hypothetical to specific moral category.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (introducing relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) 'who, which'; introduces the relative clause specifying the location of the righteous — they are within the city itself, making their intercession-function relevant.
בְּקִרְבָּֽהּwithin itprep בְּ + N m sg constr + suff 3fs · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'inward part, midst, interior'; בְּקִרְבָּהּ = 'within it (the city)'; same root used of Sarah's inward laughter in v12; the righteous are present inside Sodom itself.
25

חָלִ֨לָה לְּךָ֜ מֵעֲשֹׂ֣ת כַּדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה לְהָמִ֤ית צַדִּיק֙ עִם רָשָׁ֔ע וְהָיָ֥ה כַצַּדִּ֖יק כָּרָשָׁ֑ע חָלִ֣לָה לָּ֔ךְ הֲשֹׁפֵט֙ כָּל הָאָ֔רֶץ לֹ֥א יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה מִשְׁפָּֽט

Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous would be like the wicked. Far be it from you! Shall the Judge of all the earth not do justice?

Moral protest: Abraham appeals to YHWH's judicial characterחָלִלָה
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
חָלִ֨לָהfar be itinterjection · חָלִילָה (H2486)Exclamatory interjection (moral protest)חָלִילָה (H2486) 'far be it! God forbid! profane!'; from חָלַל 'to profane'; the strongest Hebrew expression of moral outrage or impossibility — 'it would be profane, unthinkable'.
לְּךָ֜for youprep לְ + suff 2ms · לְDative (marking the morally impossible actor)לְ (prep) dative; 'far be it from you' — the prepositional phrase points to YHWH as the one for whom this action would be morally impossible and self-contradictory.
מֵעֲשֹׂ֣תfrom doingprep מִן + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Inf constr (object of חָלִילָה)→ Inf constr: specifying what is morally unthinkableעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the inf constr specifies the action that would be profane: 'far be it from you to do this thing' — the specific act of sweeping away righteous with wicked.
כַּדָּבָ֣רaccording to the thingprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · דָּבַר (H1697)Comparative prepositional phraseדָּבַר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; 'like/according to this thing' = 'to do such a thing'; the demonstrative הַזֶּה follows to specify it further.
הַזֶּ֗הthisart + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַדָּבָרזֶה (H2088) 'this'; the demonstrative specifies the action described: sweeping away the righteous with the wicked — this particular act is what Abraham declares unthinkable.
לְהָמִ֤יתto put to deathprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · מוּת (H4191)Inf constr (purpose/epexegetical)→ Inf constr (Hiphil): epexegetical — specifying the actמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Hiphil 'to put to death, kill'; the inf constr spells out what 'doing such a thing' means: causing the righteous to die alongside the wicked.
צַדִּיק֙the righteousadj m sg abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Direct object of לְהָמִיתצַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous, just'; the singular used generically for the category; Abraham protests on behalf of all righteous people, not just the specific fifty.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Comitative prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with, together with'; the moral problem: the righteous die with (עִם) the wicked — Abraham insists this is incompatible with divine justice.
רָשָׁ֔עthe wickedadj m sg abs · רָשָׁע (H7563)Object of עִםרָשָׁע (H7563) 'wicked, guilty'; the antonym of צַדִּיק; the pairing is the crux of Abraham's legal argument: justice requires differentiating between these categories.
וְהָיָ֥הand the result beingconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal (logical consequence)→ Weqatal: consequential — the result would beהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; the weqatal expresses the unacceptable logical outcome of indiscriminate destruction: righteous and wicked treated identically.
כַצַּדִּ֖יקlike the righteousprep כְּ + art + adj m sg abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Predicate comparisonצַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous'; the basis of comparison; Abraham argues that equating righteous and wicked in punishment is a logical and moral impossibility for a just deity.
כָּרָשָׁ֑עlike the wickedprep כְּ + art + adj m sg abs · רָשָׁע (H7563)Predicate comparison (parallel)רָשָׁע (H7563) 'wicked'; the parallel comparison: if all are destroyed, then the righteous become indistinguishable from the wicked in divine treatment — which Abraham finds morally intolerable.
חָלִ֣לָהfar be itinterjection · חָלִילָה (H2486)Exclamatory repetition (emphatic)חָלִילָה (H2486) 'far be it, profane!'; repeated for emphasis (cf. v25a); the double exclamation brackets the argument with maximum rhetorical force.
לָּ֔ךְfrom youprep לְ + suff 2ms · לְDative (repeated)לְ (prep) dative; repeated from v25a — 'far be it from you'; the address is personal and direct to YHWH, not abstract.
הֲשֹׁפֵט֙shall the judgeinterrogative הֲ + Qal ptc m sg constr · שָׁפַט (H8199)Rhetorical question (title invocation)→ Participle: essential character — the one who judgesשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge'; the ptc as title: 'the Judge of all the earth'; Abraham appeals to YHWH's own judicial identity as the ground for his expectation of justice.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before הָאָרֶץ: 'all the earth'; the universality of YHWH's judicial role — he is Judge not of Israel alone but of the entire world.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of כֹּלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; שֹׁפֵט כָּל הָאָרֶץ 'Judge of all the earth' — a theological title grounding Abraham's expectation in YHWH's universal judicial character and authority.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the main predicateלֹא (H3808) standard negative; together with יַעֲשֶׂה forms the rhetorical expectation: 'Will the Judge of all the earth not do justice?' — expecting the answer 'yes, he will'.
יַעֲשֶׂ֖הdoQal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Imperfective: modal — will he not exercise justice?עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, practice'; יַעֲשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּט = 'do justice'; Abraham's supreme challenge: the Judge of all the earth must be consistent with his own character — justice.
מִשְׁפָּֽטjusticeN m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Direct object of יַעֲשֶׂהמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, justice, right'; the paired term with צְדָקָה from v19; Abraham invokes the same standard YHWH requires of Abraham's household as the criterion for YHWH's own judgment.
26

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה אִם אֶמְצָ֥א בִסְדֹ֛ם חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים צַדִּיקִ֖ם בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֑יר וְנָשָׂ֥אתִי לְכָל הַמָּק֖וֹם בַּעֲבוּרָֽם

And YHWH said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake."

Divine concession: YHWH accepts Abraham's opening intercessory premiseוַיֹּאמֶר
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; YHWH responds to Abraham's first petition; the response is a conditional concession at the highest number proposed.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068) 'Yahweh'; the divine Judge responds directly to Abraham's appeal; YHWH accepts the premise and extends the principle of sparing.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces YHWH's conditional acceptance: 'if I find fifty righteous, I will spare the whole place'; the concession is stated conditionally.
אֶמְצָ֥אI findQal impf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate of conditional protasis→ Imperfective: open future — if I findמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; YHWH's language of 'finding' the righteous echoes the judicial investigation of v21; the finding is the result of the 'going down to see'.
בִסְדֹ֛םin Sodomprep בְּ + proper N · סְדֹם (H5467)Locative prepositional phraseסְדֹם (H5467) 'Sodom'; YHWH accepts Abraham's spatial specification — the righteous must be found inside Sodom itself, not merely associated with it.
חֲמִשִּׁ֥יםfiftycardinal numeral m/f pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Object complement (number of righteous sought)חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; YHWH accepts Abraham's opening number without modification; the divine concession at fifty establishes the principle from which the descent will proceed.
צַדִּיקִ֖םrighteousadj m pl abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Appositive (what the fifty must be)צַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous'; the criterion is moral — 'righteous' people, not merely innocent bystanders; YHWH accepts the category that Abraham proposed.
בְּת֣וֹךְwithinprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; בְּתוֹךְ הָעִיר = 'within the city'; YHWH repeats Abraham's own phrase, showing that he is accepting exactly the terms Abraham proposed.
הָעִ֑ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive of תוֹךְעִיר (H5892) 'city'; the city of Sodom as a whole; YHWH's concession extends to the entire city — not just the righteous within it but the whole settlement.
וְנָשָׂ֥אתִיI will spareconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1cs · נָשָׂא (H5375)Weqatal (apodosis of conditional)→ Weqatal: consequential future — then I will forgive/spareנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, forgive, spare'; נָשָׂא לְ 'to forgive/spare for the sake of'; YHWH's concession: the entire place will be spared for the sake of fifty righteous.
לְכָלfor the wholeprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Benefactive prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; לְכָל הַמָּקוֹם = 'for the whole place'; YHWH's forgiveness extends to the entire city, not just protecting the righteous — the principle of vicarious sparing.
הַמָּק֖וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of sparing (beneficiary)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the city of Sodom as a whole; YHWH's concession spares the entire settlement on account of the righteous minority within it.
בַּעֲבוּרָֽםfor their sakeprep בְּ + N m sg constr + suff 3mp · עֲבוּר (H5668)Causal prepositional phrase (reason for sparing)עֲבוּר (H5668) 'for the sake of, on account of'; the preposition marks the righteous as the ground (causa efficiens) for the city's pardon; their righteousness functions vicariously.
27

וַיַּ֥עַן אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הִנֵּה נָ֤א הוֹאַ֨לְתִּי֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל אֲדֹנָ֔י וְאָנֹכִ֖י עָפָ֥ר וָאֵֽפֶר

And Abraham answered and said, "Behold, please, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord, though I am dust and ashes."

Humble continuation: Abraham resumes the appeal with self-abasementוַיַּעַן
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיַּ֥עַןand answeredQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָנָה (H6030)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, respond'; Abraham takes the initiative to press the intercession further, now opening the numerical descent with a renewed self-abasement.
אַבְרָהָ֖םAbrahamproper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of וַיַּעַןאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; explicitly named each time he speaks in this negotiation; the repeated naming emphasizes his active personal engagement in the intercession.
וַיֹּאמַ֑רand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the pairing וַיַּעַן...וַיֹּאמַר is a standard idiom for formal speech: 'he answered and said'; introduces Abraham's prelude to the next petition.
הִנֵּהbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention-drawing particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; draws attention to Abraham's self-presentation before pressing further; 'behold, I have undertaken...' introduces his self-abasement before the next plea.
נָ֤אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particleנָא (H4994) softening particle; Abraham's self-abasing petition is framed with polite deference even as he dares to press YHWH further.
הוֹאַ֨לְתִּי֙I have undertakenHiphil perf 1cs · יָאַל (H2974)Main predicate (self-description)→ Perfective (Hiphil): completed act of daring — I have presumedיָאַל (H2974) 'to be willing, undertake, dare'; Hiphil 'to venture, presume, take it upon oneself'; acknowledges that Abraham is taking a bold step in speaking further to YHWH.
לְדַבֵּ֣רto speakprep לְ + Piel inf constr · דָּבַר (H1696)Complementary infinitive of הוֹאַלְתִּי→ Inf constr (Piel): content of the undertakingדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel; the inf constr completes הוֹאַלְתִּי: 'I have dared to speak to my Lord' — expressing humility before the audacity of further intercession.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks YHWH as the addressee of Abraham's daring speech; the prep highlights the asymmetry: a mortal speaking to the divine Judge.
אֲדֹנָ֔יmy LordN m pl constr + suff 1cs · אָדוֹן (H136)Vocative addressאָדוֹן (H136) 'Lord'; here with divine title spelling (H136 = אֲדֹנָי as a divine title, distinct from H113); Abraham addresses YHWH with the highest title of sovereign lordship.
וְאָנֹכִ֖יthough Iconj וְ + pers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of concessive clauseאָנֹכִי (H595) emphatic 1cs pronoun 'I'; the longer form adds emphasis to the self-abasement: 'though I myself am but dust and ashes.'
עָפָ֥רdustN m sg abs · עָפָר (H6083)Predicate of nominal clauseעָפָר (H6083) 'dust, loose earth'; associated with mortality and humility (Gen 2:7; 3:19); Abraham describes himself as the stuff of creation's lowest material.
וָאֵֽפֶרand ashesconj וְ + N m sg abs · אֵפֶר (H665)Coordinate predicate complementאֵפֶר (H665) 'ashes'; paired with עָפָר as a merism of worthlessness and mortality; 'dust and ashes' is an idiom of radical human humility before the divine — perhaps the most self-abasing expression in the Hebrew Bible.
28

א֠וּלַי יַחְסְר֞וּן חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים הַצַּדִּיקִם֙ חֲמִשָּׁ֔ה הֲתַשְׁחִ֥ית בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה אֶת כָּל הָעִ֑יר וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית אִם אֶמְצָ֣א שָׁ֔ם אַרְבָּעִ֖ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה

Perhaps five of the fifty righteous will be lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for the lack of five? And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find there forty-five."

Numerical descent begins: Abraham tests whether a small deficiency alters the principle of sparingאוּלַי
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
א֠וּלַיperhapsadverb · אוּלַי (H194)Modal adverb (concessive possibility)אוּלַי (H194) 'perhaps, maybe'; opens the next round of negotiation; Abraham now tests whether a small deficiency from fifty can still meet the standard for sparing.
יַחְסְר֞וּןare lackingQal impf 3mp + paragogic נ · חָסֵר (H2637)Predicate of hypothetical clause→ Imperfective: open possibility — should they lackחָסֵר (H2637) 'to lack, be less, fall short'; the paragogic נ is archaic/poetic; Abraham hypothesizes a shortfall — what if only 45 of the 50 are found?
חֲמִשִּׁ֤יםthe fiftycardinal numeral m/f pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Reference number (what may be lacking)חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; the benchmark established in v26; Abraham now challenges whether a minor shortfall from fifty changes the principle.
הַצַּדִּיקִם֙the righteousart + adj m pl abs · צַדִּיק (H6662)Appositive to חֲמִשִּׁיםצַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous'; now definite with article — the agreed-upon group; Abraham tests the threshold: what if the righteous fall just short of fifty?
חֲמִשָּׁ֔הfivecardinal numeral m sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Complement of יַחְסְרוּן (by how much)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; the first step down from fifty — what if only 45 righteous are found? The numerical descent has begun with a small test increment.
הֲתַשְׁחִ֥יתwill you destroyinterrogative הֲ + Hiphil impf 2ms · שָׁחַת (H7843)Rhetorical question→ Imperfective (Hiphil): modal — will you really destroy?שָׁחַת (H7843) 'to destroy, ruin, corrupt'; Hiphil causative 'to bring destruction'; Abraham challenges whether a shortfall of five changes the principle — would YHWH destroy for the lack of five?
בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֖הfor the fiveprep בְּ + cardinal numeral m sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Causal prepositional phrase (reason for destroying)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; 'on account of the five' = because of a shortfall of five; Abraham challenges whether such a small deficiency triggers wholesale destruction.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the whole city as the direct object of the hypothetical destruction.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (object)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; כָּל הָעִיר = 'the whole city'; Abraham emphasizes that the entire city would be destroyed for the lack of only five righteous.
הָעִ֑ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive of כֹּלעִיר (H5892) 'city'; the whole city of Sodom; Abraham's rhetorical point: the entire population pays for a shortfall of five righteous — the disproportionality is the issue.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; YHWH responds to the second petition; his concession at 45 confirms the pattern and implicitly accepts Abraham's narrowing argument.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; YHWH's terse response: 'I will not destroy it' — accepting Abraham's lower threshold; each round receives a clear divine concession.
אַשְׁחִ֔יתI will destroyHiphil impf 1cs · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate (negated promise)→ Imperfective (Hiphil): certain future — I will not destroyשָׁחַת (H7843) 'to destroy'; Hiphil 'to bring destruction'; with לֹא = YHWH's promise not to destroy; echoes Abraham's own term from v28a, accepting it into the divine concession.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; the concession is stated conditionally: YHWH will not destroy if 45 righteous are found; the same conditional structure as v26.
אֶמְצָ֣אI findQal impf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate of protasis→ Imperfective: open future — if I findמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the conditional finding; YHWH accepts the new threshold and commits to the same principle of sparing on the condition of finding the righteous.
שָׁ֔םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; refers to Sodom; the spatial reference maintains the specificity of the judicial investigation — the finding must happen in Sodom itself.
אַרְבָּעִ֖יםfortycardinal numeral m/f pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Object complement (new number)אַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the first step in the actual numerical descent; YHWH's response accepts 45 and the next exchange will move to 40.
וַחֲמִשָּֽׁהand fiveconj וְ + cardinal numeral m sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Coordinate numeral (completing forty-five)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; with אַרְבָּעִים = forty-five; YHWH accepts 45 as the new threshold, confirming that the descent will be possible and the principle flexible.
29

וַיֹּ֨סֶף ע֜וֹד לְדַבֵּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם אַרְבָּעִ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה בַּעֲב֖וּר הָאַרְבָּעִֽים

And he continued still to speak to him and said, "Perhaps forty will be found there." And he said, "I will not do it for the sake of the forty."

Persistent intercession continues with a lower thresholdוַיֹּסֶף
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֨סֶףand continuedHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָסַף (H3254)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, do again'; Hiphil 'to continue, do again'; with the following inf Abraham is described as 'adding again to speak' — persistence is the narrative virtue here.
ע֜וֹדstilladverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb of continuationעוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, again'; with וַיֹּסֶף: 'he continued yet again to speak'; the adverb marks Abraham's persistence in pressing the intercession further.
לְדַבֵּ֤רto speakprep לְ + Piel inf constr · דָּבַר (H1696)Complementary infinitive of וַיֹּסֶף→ Inf constr (Piel): content of the continuationדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel inf constr; Abraham's continued speaking to YHWH — the same verb used in v27 of his daring to speak.
אֵלָיו֙to himprep אֶל + suff 3ms · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with suffix 3ms = 'to him' referring to YHWH; Abraham continues speaking directly to YHWH, pressing the intercession with measured urgency.
וַיֹּאמַ֔רand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Abraham's next petition; the wayyiqtol continues the rapid narrative pace of the intercession.
אוּלַ֛יperhapsadverb · אוּלַי (H194)Modal adverbאוּלַי (H194) 'perhaps'; the refrain of the intercession; each new round begins with this hypothetical opener, steadily narrowing the number downward.
יִמָּצְא֥וּןare foundNiphal impf 3mp + paragogic נ · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate (existential)→ Imperfective (Niphal): modal — should forty be foundמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal passive 'to be found'; the shift to passive frames the righteous as discovered rather than sought — YHWH's investigation will reveal them.
שָׁ֖םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; in Sodom; repeated at each round to maintain the spatial specificity of the negotiation — the righteous must be found within the city itself.
אַרְבָּעִ֑יםfortycardinal numeral m/f pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Subject of יִמָּצְאוּןאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; a round number, the next step down from 45; Abraham tests whether the removal of five more makes a difference to YHWH's commitment to spare.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; YHWH's response at forty; each divine response confirms the concession at the new number, keeping the negotiation alive.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; the terse divine negative: 'I will not'; the pattern of YHWH's responses is becoming predictable — each new number receives the same concession.
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔הI will doQal impf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate (negated)→ Imperfective: certain future — I will not do itעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; here 'I will not do (the destruction)'; a variation on the language of v28 — not 'I will not destroy' but 'I will not do it', with 'it' implying the destruction.
בַּעֲב֖וּרfor the sake ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֲבוּר (H5668)Causal prepositional phraseעֲבוּר (H5668) 'for the sake of, on account of'; repeats the language of v26; the principle of vicarious sparing applies at each new threshold.
הָאַרְבָּעִֽיםthe fortyart + cardinal numeral m/f pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Object of בַּעֲבוּראַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; with the article, referencing the specific forty just proposed; YHWH accepts 40 righteous as sufficient grounds for sparing the whole city.
30

וַ֠יֹּאמֶר אַל נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ וַאֲדַבֵּ֔רָה אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה אִם אֶמְצָ֥א שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִֽׁים

And he said, "Please let not my Lord be angry, and I will speak. Perhaps thirty will be found there." And he said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."

Abraham asks leave to continue and lowers the number againוַיֹּאמֶר
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַ֠יֹּאמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Abraham speaks again, now explicitly asking permission to continue and using the same self-deprecating formula as v27.
אַלdo notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negationאַל (H408) volitional negative; with jussive; Abraham requests that YHWH not be angry — each step downward requires a new act of deference before pressing lower.
נָ֞אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particleנָא (H4994) softening particle; Abraham's repeated entreaty signals genuine reverence alongside his persistence — he is not presumptuous but humble even in daring.
יִ֤חַרbe angryQal jussive 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Predicate of prohibition (אַל + jussive)→ Jussive: volitional — let my Lord not be angryחָרָה (H2734) 'to be hot, angry, furious'; jussive + אַל = polite prohibition: 'please do not let my Lord be angry'; Abraham anticipates YHWH might be displeased at further questioning.
לַֽאדֹנָי֙to my Lordprep לְ + N m pl constr + suff 1cs · אָדוֹן (H136)Indirect object (subject of anger)אָדוֹן (H136) 'Lord'; divine title (H136 = אֲדֹנָי); the anger would belong to Abraham's sovereign Lord — the power differential is acknowledged even in the petition.
וַאֲדַבֵּ֔רָהand I will speakconj וְ + Piel cohortative 1cs · דָּבַר (H1696)Cohortative (self-directed request to continue)→ Cohortative (Piel): self-directed volition — let me speak furtherדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel cohortative expresses Abraham's desire to continue the intercession; he asks permission to press the number lower.
אוּלַ֛יperhapsadverb · אוּלַי (H194)Modal adverbאוּלַי (H194) 'perhaps'; the recurring opener; Abraham's hypothetical now descends to thirty.
יִמָּצְא֥וּןare foundNiphal impf 3mp + paragogic נ · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate (existential hypothetical)→ Imperfective (Niphal): modal — if thirty are foundמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal passive; same form as v29; 'should thirty be found there' continues the pattern of descent.
שָׁ֖םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; in Sodom; the locative is repeated at every round, maintaining the spatial specificity of the negotiation.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֑יםthirtycardinal numeral m/f pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Subject of יִמָּצְאוּןשְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty'; the third step in the descent; Abraham tests whether moving from 45 to 40 to 30 still holds the principle of vicarious sparing.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; YHWH's third response in the descent; the pattern of concession continues without modification or resistance.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; YHWH's consistent negative: 'I will not do it'; the brevity of the divine response emphasizes the predictability of the concession.
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔הI will doQal impf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate (negated promise)→ Imperfective: certain future — I will not destroyעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; again the elliptical form 'I will not do it' (the destruction); YHWH accepts thirty with the same brevity as all previous concessions.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; the conditional repeats the pattern: 'I will not destroy if I find thirty there'; YHWH's concessions are all conditional upon actually finding the righteous.
אֶמְצָ֥אI findQal impf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate of conditional protasis→ Imperfective: open future — if I findמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the condition remains: YHWH will not destroy if he finds thirty righteous — the same investigative principle of v21 now applied to the new threshold.
שָׁ֖םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; Sodom; the spatial reference keeps the negotiation grounded in the specific city under divine investigation.
שְׁלֹשִֽׁיםthirtycardinal numeral m/f pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Object complement (threshold accepted)שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty'; with the article in YHWH's response confirming the new lower threshold; the descent from fifty to thirty is now established with each step receiving the same divine concession.
31

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּֽה נָ֤א הוֹאַ֨לְתִּי֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל אֲדֹנָ֔י אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם עֶשְׂרִ֑ים וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית בַּעֲב֖וּר הָֽעֶשְׂרִֽים

And he said, "Behold, please, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord. Perhaps twenty will be found there." And he said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty."

Self-abasing persistence precedes another descent in numberוַיֹּאמֶר
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Abraham speaks again, repeating his self-abasing prelude from v27 before proposing yet a lower number.
הִנֵּֽהbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention-drawing particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; repeated from v27 to introduce the same formula of humble self-presentation before pressing further downward.
נָ֤אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particleנָא (H4994) softening particle; repeated from v27; each return to the self-abasing formula is accompanied by נָא to maintain the deferential register.
הוֹאַ֨לְתִּי֙I have undertakenHiphil perf 1cs · יָאַל (H2974)Main predicate (self-description)→ Perfective (Hiphil): completed act of daring — I have venturedיָאַל (H2974) 'to be willing, dare, undertake'; repeated from v27; the exact repetition of the self-abasing formula frames Abraham's persistence as reverent boldness, not presumption.
לְדַבֵּ֣רto speakprep לְ + Piel inf constr · דָּבַר (H1696)Complementary infinitive of הוֹאַלְתִּי→ Inf constr (Piel): content of the undertaken daringדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel; repeated from v27; the same structure: 'I have dared to speak to my Lord' — the repetition reinforces the pattern of humble persistence.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; direction of Abraham's speech to YHWH; the same phrasing as v27 maintains the formal, deferential character of the intercession.
אֲדֹנָ֔יmy LordN m pl constr + suff 1cs · אָדוֹן (H136)Vocative addressאָדוֹן (H136) 'Lord'; divine title; repeated from v27; the formal address to YHWH as sovereign Lord persists through the negotiation, maintaining the asymmetry of the encounter.
אוּלַ֛יperhapsadverb · אוּלַי (H194)Modal adverbאוּלַי (H194) 'perhaps'; the recurring modal opening each new round; Abraham descends from thirty to twenty in this petition.
יִמָּצְא֥וּןare foundNiphal impf 3mp + paragogic נ · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate (existential hypothetical)→ Imperfective (Niphal): modal — if twenty are foundמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal passive; same form as vv29,30; 'should twenty be found there' — the pattern continues as Abraham tests whether the principle holds at twenty.
שָׁ֖םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; in Sodom; the locative adverb repeated at each round maintains the spatial specificity of the judicial negotiation.
עֶשְׂרִ֑יםtwentycardinal numeral m/f pl abs · עֶשְׂרִים (H6242)Subject of יִמָּצְאוּןעֶשְׂרִים (H6242) 'twenty'; a significant drop from thirty; Abraham moves more boldly now, testing whether YHWH will extend the principle of sparing to a clearly minority remnant.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; YHWH's response at twenty; the divine concession continues at the same terms — 'I will not destroy it'.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; YHWH's brief negative prefacing the promise not to destroy for the sake of twenty righteous.
אַשְׁחִ֔יתI will destroyHiphil impf 1cs · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate (negated)→ Imperfective (Hiphil): certain future — I will not destroyשָׁחַת (H7843) 'to destroy'; Hiphil; the same verb used in v28 — YHWH picks up Abraham's own language, confirming the concession at twenty with the same unambiguous commitment.
בַּעֲב֖וּרfor the sake ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֲבוּר (H5668)Causal prepositional phraseעֲבוּר (H5668) 'for the sake of'; the consistent formula binding YHWH's merciful restraint to the presence of the righteous within the city.
הָֽעֶשְׂרִֽיםthe twentyart + cardinal numeral m/f pl abs · עֶשְׂרִים (H6242)Object of בַּעֲבוּרעֶשְׂרִים (H6242) 'twenty'; with the article — 'for the sake of the twenty'; YHWH's concession at twenty confirms that a small minority of righteous can still secure the city's pardon.
32

וַ֠יֹּאמֶר אַל נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה אַךְ הַפַּ֔עַם אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם עֲשָׂרָ֑ה וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית בַּעֲב֖וּר הָעֲשָׂרָֽה

And he said, "Please let not my Lord be angry, and I will speak only this once. Perhaps ten will be found there." And he said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten."

Final petition: Abraham names this as his last appeal and reaches the minimum thresholdוַיֹּאמֶר
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַ֠יֹּאמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Abraham's final petition — he signals that this is his last request before naming the minimum threshold of ten.
אַלdo notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negationאַל (H408) volitional negative; Abraham returns to the same diplomatic formula of v30 — asking YHWH not to be angry as he dares one final step downward.
נָ֞אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particleנָא (H4994) softening particle; repeated as in v30; Abraham's courtesy intensifies at this final and most daring petition.
יִ֤חַרbe angryQal jussive 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Predicate of prohibition (אַל + jussive)→ Jussive: volitional — please do not be angryחָרָה (H2734) 'to be hot, angry'; same jussive as v30; repeated exactly — Abraham acknowledges the audacity of pressing below twenty and seeks divine forbearance.
לַֽאדֹנָי֙to my Lordprep לְ + N m pl constr + suff 1cs · אָדוֹן (H136)Indirect object (subject of potential anger)אָדוֹן (H136) 'Lord'; divine title; the full formal address maintains the asymmetry of the encounter even at this final daring moment.
וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣הand I will speakconj וְ + Piel cohortative 1cs · דָּבַר (H1696)Cohortative (self-directed desire to speak)→ Cohortative (Piel): volitional — let me speak once moreדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel cohortative; Abraham asks to speak 'only this once more' — qualifying the permission request with explicit finality.
אַךְonlyrestrictive particle · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive/asseverative particleאַךְ (H389) 'only, surely, however'; here restrictive: 'only this once'; Abraham signals that this is his final petition — limiting his further intercession to one more exchange.
הַפַּ֔עַםthis timeart + N f sg abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Adverbial accusative (temporal)פַּעַם (H6471) 'time, occurrence, step, foot'; הַפַּעַם = 'this time'; with אַךְ = 'only this once'; Abraham explicitly frames this as his last intercession, adding solemnity to the final plea.
אוּלַ֛יperhapsadverb · אוּלַי (H194)Modal adverbאוּלַי (H194) 'perhaps'; for the last time Abraham poses the hypothetical — now at the lowest threshold of ten.
יִמָּצְא֥וּןare foundNiphal impf 3mp + paragogic נ · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate (existential hypothetical)→ Imperfective (Niphal): modal — if ten are foundמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal passive; same form repeated throughout the descent; the passive maintains that the righteous are to be found by investigation, not assumed.
שָׁ֖םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; in Sodom; the locative refrain at each round.
עֲשָׂרָ֑הtencardinal numeral m sg abs · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Subject of יִמָּצְאוּןעֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; the final and lowest number in the intercession; ten has been widely discussed as a minimum communal threshold — a minyan in later Jewish tradition; the narrative's silence on Abraham going lower is eloquent.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; YHWH's final response; the same pattern of concession is extended to ten without resistance or qualification.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) 'not'; the consistent divine negative preceding the promise; at ten as at fifty, YHWH's answer remains the same — 'I will not destroy'.
אַשְׁחִ֔יתI will destroyHiphil impf 1cs · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate (negated promise)→ Imperfective (Hiphil): certain future — I will not destroyשָׁחַת (H7843) 'to destroy'; Hiphil; the final divine concession: 'I will not destroy' for the sake of ten righteous; the principle holds all the way to the minimum.
בַּעֲב֖וּרfor the sake ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עֲבוּר (H5668)Causal prepositional phraseעֲבוּר (H5668) 'for the sake of, on account of'; the consistent formula of each concession; the righteous-as-ground-for-sparing principle holds at ten as firmly as at fifty.
הָעֲשָׂרָֽהthe tenart + cardinal numeral m sg abs · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Object of בַּעֲבוּרעֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; with the article — 'for the sake of the ten'; YHWH's concession at ten closes the negotiation; the outcome of Gen 19 implies not even ten righteous were found in Sodom.
33

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ יְהוָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר כִּלָּ֔ה לְדַבֵּ֖ר אֶל אַבְרָהָ֑ם וְאַבְרָהָ֖ם שָׁ֥ב לִמְקֹמֽוֹ

And YHWH went his way when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

Scene closure: the intercession ends and the narrative turns toward its outcomeוַיֵּלֶךְ
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְand wentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, depart'; YHWH's departure closes the scene; the departure is narrated without comment on the outcome of the intercession, creating suspense for Gen 19.
יְהוָ֔הYahwehproper N · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֵּלֶךְיְהוָה (H3068) 'Yahweh'; explicitly named as the one who departs; the chapter that began with YHWH appearing closes with YHWH departing — a structural inclusio.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣רwhenprep כְּ + relative · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Temporal conjunctionכַּאֲשֶׁר 'when, as soon as'; introduces the temporal clause marking the precise moment of YHWH's departure — when the conversation ended.
כִּלָּ֔הhe finishedPiel perf 3ms · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate of temporal clause→ Perfective (Piel): completed action — when he had finishedכָּלָה (H3615) 'to finish, complete'; Piel 'to bring to completion'; the word choice is significant — the dialogue reached its natural conclusion and was not cut short; YHWH departed when the speech was finished.
לְדַבֵּ֖רto speakprep לְ + Piel inf constr · דָּבַר (H1696)Complementary infinitive of כִּלָּה→ Inf constr (Piel): specifying what was finishedדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; the inf constr specifies what was finished: 'speaking to Abraham'; the intercession has been completed in its entirety.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks Abraham as the final addressee of YHWH's speech; the entire intercession was conducted with YHWH speaking to and hearing Abraham.
אַבְרָהָ֑םAbrahamproper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Object of אֶלאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; named for the final time in the chapter; the entire intercession was personal — YHWH spoke with Abraham specifically as the covenant partner.
וְאַבְרָהָ֖םand Abrahamconj וְ + proper N · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of narrative closure clauseאַבְרָהָם (H85) 'Abraham'; appears for the last time; the waw begins a parallel clause narrating Abraham's departure — both YHWH and Abraham withdraw, closing the scene symmetrically.
שָׁ֥בreturnedQal perf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Main predicate (narrative closure)→ Perfective: completed action — he returnedשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, turn back'; Abraham returns to his place as YHWH departs; the same root as the birth promise of v10 (שׁוֹב אָשׁוּב) but here describes Abraham's own departure from the divine presence.
לִמְקֹמֽוֹto his placeprep לְ + N m sg constr + suff 3ms · מָקוֹם (H4725)Directional prepositional phraseמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; 'to his place' = back to his tent at Mamre; the scene closes where it began — Abraham at Mamre — but everything has changed: the promise has been given, the intercession conducted, and Sodom's fate is imminent.