Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?

GENESIS 18:24KJV
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Genesis 18:24 (KJV)

What does Genesis 18:24 mean?

Genesis 18:24 records Abraham asking God if He would spare the city of Sodom if there were fifty righteous people living in it, questioning whether God would destroy the city or show mercy for the sake of those righteous individuals. Abraham is appealing to God’s sense of justice and mercy, suggesting that the presence of righteous people should protect the whole city from destruction.

In this scene, Abraham is speaking directly to God, interceding for the city of Sodom, which God has said He will judge for its wickedness. Abraham’s question is bold and respectful, showing his concern for innocent lives and his belief that God is fair. The verse highlights Abraham’s role as an intercessor and sets the stage for a conversation about justice, mercy, and the value of righteousness within a community.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 18:24

  • צַדִּיק (tsaddiq, H6662) means "righteous" or "just." Abraham’s focus on the presence of "righteous" people shows he believes their moral character could influence God’s actions toward the whole city.
  • יִשָּׂא (yissa, H5375) is translated "spare" and literally means "to lift" or "to carry." Here, it carries the sense of God "lifting" judgment or showing forbearance because of the righteous.
  • בְּתוֹךְ (betokh, H8432) means "within" or "in the midst of." Abraham is not asking about righteous people outside the city, but specifically those living among the rest, emphasizing their potential to affect the fate of the entire community.

Why Genesis 18:24 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Abraham is not just concerned for his nephew Lot, but for the whole city, showing a broad compassion and a belief in collective responsibility.
  • The verse highlights the biblical idea that a small number of righteous people can have a protective effect on a larger group, a theme that appears in other parts of the Bible.
  • Genesis 18:24 sets up the pattern for Abraham’s further questions, showing a respectful but persistent dialogue with God about justice, which shapes the rest of the chapter’s narrative.