And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

GENESIS 18:33KJV
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Genesis 18:33 (KJV)

What does Genesis 18:33 mean?

Genesis 18:33 marks the end of the LORD’s conversation with Abraham about the fate of Sodom. The LORD departs when the conversation is finished, and Abraham goes back to his own place. The verse closes their exchange without reporting any further request from Abraham.

“Communing” here means speaking together. After Abraham’s request concerning ten people in verse 32, the storyteller describes the two parting rather than giving Abraham another reply.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 18:33

  • “LORD” — יהוה (YHWH): This is God’s personal name in the Hebrew text. The KJV uses “LORD” in capital letters to represent that name.
  • “left” — כָּלָה (kalah): This word can mean “finish” or “bring to an end.” Here, “had left communing” means that the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham.

Why Genesis 18:33 matters

  • The conversation ends with a definite point reached. In verse 32, the LORD says he will not destroy Sodom for the sake of ten; verse 33 records no further number.
  • The story now shifts away from Abraham’s exchange with the LORD. Abraham returns “unto his place,” while the next scene begins at Sodom’s gate in Genesis 19:1.

Where else these words appear

“as” Hebrew H834 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 38:10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
  • Deuteronomy 12:2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: