And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

GENESIS 18:32KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 18:32 (KJV)

What does Genesis 18:32 mean?

Genesis 18:32 records Abraham’s final request on behalf of Sodom. He asks the Lord whether the city would be spared if ten people who do right were found there. The Lord agrees not to destroy the city for the sake of those ten.

Abraham approaches the request carefully, asking the Lord not to be angry and promising to speak only once more. The number ten is the smallest number Abraham mentions in his conversation with the Lord, following his request about twenty in verse 31.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 18:32

  • “angry” — חָרָה (charah): This word can carry the sense of becoming heated or burning with anger. Abraham’s wording presents his last request as a bold one, made with concern about the Lord’s response.
  • “found” — מָצָא (matsa): This word means to find or discover. Abraham’s request depends on whether ten such people are actually present in the city, rather than on a number already known.

Why Genesis 18:32 matters

  • The ten are people who do right, not simply any ten residents. That description comes from Abraham’s earlier question about whether the Lord would destroy good people along with those who do wrong (Genesis 18:23–24).
  • The answer concerns the city as a whole. The Lord says, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake,” connecting the fate of Sodom with the presence of those ten people.
  • Abraham’s request stops at ten. After the Lord’s answer, the conversation ends and Abraham returns home (Genesis 18:33).

Where else these words appear

“yet” Hebrew H389 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Exodus 12:16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
  • Judges 7:19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.

“angry” Hebrew H2734 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
  • Deuteronomy 7:4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

“once” Hebrew H6471 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • Deuteronomy 10:10 And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee.
  • 2 Kings 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

“destroy” Hebrew H7843 · used in 136 verses

  • Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
  • 2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
  • Jeremiah 6:5 Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.