Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
GENESIS 18:28KJVWhat does Genesis 18:28 mean?
Genesis 18:28 shows Abraham asking God if He would spare the city of Sodom if there were only forty-five righteous people instead of fifty, and God agrees not to destroy the city if that is the case. This verse highlights Abraham’s concern for the righteous and God’s willingness to show mercy based on the presence of good people.
In this conversation, Abraham is speaking directly to God, negotiating for the lives of people in Sodom. Abraham is worried that a small difference in the number of righteous people—just five fewer than fifty—might lead to the destruction of the whole city. The verse shows Abraham’s boldness in questioning and God’s patience in responding, setting the tone for the rest of their exchange.
The Hebrew behind Genesis 18:28
- "lack" (חָסֵר, ḥāsēr): This word means "to be lacking" or "to be missing." Abraham is pointing out that even if the city falls short by just five righteous people, it seems harsh to destroy everyone.
- "righteous" (צַדִּיק, tsaddîq): This word refers to morally upright or just people. Abraham’s plea is based on the idea that the presence of such people should protect the city from judgment.
- "destroy" (שָׁחַת, shāchat): This word means "to ruin" or "to destroy." Abraham is asking if God would really bring total destruction even if only a few righteous are missing.
- "find" (מָצָא, matsa’): This word means "to find" or "to discover." God’s answer depends on whether He actually finds forty-five righteous people in the city.
Why Genesis 18:28 matters
- Genesis 18:28 helps clear up the idea that God’s judgment is automatic or inflexible; instead, it shows God’s willingness to listen and adjust based on the presence of righteous people.
- The verse emphasizes Abraham’s role as an intercessor, showing his care not only for his relatives but for the whole city, even those he does not know.
- This exchange sets up the pattern for the rest of the conversation, where Abraham continues to negotiate the number downward, highlighting both his persistence and God’s patience.