New International VersionThen he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”
New Living TranslationFinally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?” And the LORD replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
English Standard VersionThen he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”
Berean Standard BibleFinally, Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?” And He answered, “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James VersionThen he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.”
New American Standard BibleThen he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once: suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”
NASB 1995Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”
NASB 1977Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”
Legacy Standard BibleThen he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”
Amplified BibleThen Abraham said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry [with me], and I will speak only this once; suppose ten [righteous people] are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
Christian Standard BibleThen he said, “Let my lord not be angry, and I will speak one more time. Suppose ten are found there? ” He answered, “I will not destroy it on account of ten.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen he said, “Let the Lord not be angry, and I will speak one more time. Suppose 10 are found there?” He answered, “I will not destroy it on account of 10.”
American Standard VersionAnd 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 the ten's sake.
Contemporary English VersionFinally, Abraham said, "Please don't get angry, LORD, if I speak just once more. Suppose you find only 10 good people there." "For the sake of 10 good people," the LORD told him, "I still won't destroy the city."
English Revised VersionAnd 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 the ten's sake.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"Please don't be angry if I speak only one more time," Abraham said. "What if 10 are found there?" He answered, "I will not destroy it for the sake of the 10."
Good News TranslationAbraham said, "Please don't be angry, Lord, and I will speak only once more. What if only ten are found?" He said, "I will not destroy it if there are ten."
International Standard VersionFinally, Abraham inquired, "I hope my LORD will not be angry if I speak only once more. What if ten are found there?" He replied, "For the sake of those ten I won't destroy it."
NET BibleFinally Abraham said, "May the Lord not be angry so that I may speak just once more. What if ten are found there?" He replied, "I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten."
New Heart English BibleHe said, "Oh do not let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?" He said, "I will not destroy it for the ten's sake."
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFinally, Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?” And He answered, “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
World English BibleHe said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says, “Please let it not be displeasing to the Lord, and I speak only this time: perhaps there are found there ten?” And He says, “I do not destroy [it], because of the ten.”
Young's Literal Translation And he saith, 'Let it not be, I pray Thee, displeasing to the Lord, and I speak only this time: peradventure there are found there ten?' and He saith, 'I do not destroy it, because of the ten.'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he will say, Now will it not be angry to the Lord, and I will speak only this once: If ten shall be found there? And he will say, I will not destroy for sake of ten. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI beseech thee, saith he, be not angry, Lord, if I speak yet once more: What if tell should be found there ? And he said: I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.
Catholic Public Domain Version“I beg you,” he said, “not to be angry, Lord, if I speak yet once more. What if ten were found there?” And he said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
New American BibleBut he persisted: “Please, do not let my Lord be angry if I speak up this last time. What if ten are found there?” For the sake of the ten, he replied, I will not destroy it.
New Revised Standard VersionThen he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said, Oh, let not the LORD be displeased, and I will speak only once more; suppose ten shall be found there? And he said, I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd he said, “Let it not be evil to LORD JEHOVAH, and I shall speak only this time; and if ten are found there?” And he said, “I shall not destroy for ten.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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 the ten's sake.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd he said, Will there be anything against me, Lord, if I speak yet once? but if there should be found there ten? And he said, I will not destroy it for the ten's sake.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Abraham Begs for Sodom… 31And Abraham said, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord, suppose twenty are found there?” He answered, “On account of the twenty, I will not destroy it.” 32Finally, Abraham said,“May the Lordnotbe angry,but let me speakonce more.Supposetenare foundthere?”And He answered,“On accountof the ten,I will notdestroy it.”33When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, He departed, and Abraham returned home.…
Cross References Exodus 32:11-14But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? / Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. / Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’” ...
Numbers 14:17-20So now I pray, may the power of my Lord be magnified, just as You have declared: / ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’ / Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of Your loving devotion, just as You have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.” ...
Jeremiah 5:1“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.
Amos 7:2-6And when the locusts had eaten every green plant in the land, I said, “Lord GOD, please forgive! How will Jacob survive, since he is so small?” / So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen,” He said. / This is what the Lord GOD showed me: The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. ...
Isaiah 1:9Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.
Ezekiel 22:30I searched for a man among them to repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it. But I found no one.
2 Chronicles 7:14and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Job 33:24to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’
Psalm 106:23So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.
Isaiah 53:12Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
Matthew 7:7-11Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. / Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ...
Luke 11:5-10Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, / because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ / And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ ...
Luke 18:1-8Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ...
Romans 9:27-29Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. / For the Lord will carry out His sentence on the earth thoroughly and decisively.” / It is just as Isaiah foretold: “Unless the Lord of Hosts had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.”
James 5:16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
Treasury of Scripture 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. Oh. Genesis 18:30 And he saidunto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not doit, if I find thirty there. Judges 6:39 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wickedis an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the uprightis his delight. I will not. Exodus 32:9,10,14 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, itis a stiffnecked people: … Exodus 33:13,14 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nationis thy people… Exodus 34:6,7,9,10 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, … Jump to Previous AccountAngryChanceDestroyDispleasingFoundMercyOncePeradventurePerhapsSakeSpeakSupposeTenTimeJump to Next AccountAngryChanceDestroyDispleasingFoundMercyOncePeradventurePerhapsSakeSpeakSupposeTenTimeGenesis 18 1.The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels.9.Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son.16.The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham.23.Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants.Finally, Abraham said,This phrase marks the culmination of a dialogue between Abraham and God, showcasing Abraham's role as an intercessor. Abraham's persistence in negotiating with God reflects his deep concern for the righteous in Sodom and his understanding of God's justice and mercy. “May the Lord not be angry,
Abraham approaches God with humility and reverence, acknowledging God's sovereignty and righteousness. This reflects the cultural context of the ancient Near East, where approaching a deity required respect and acknowledgment of one's own position. but let me speak once more.
Abraham's request to speak again highlights his boldness and faith. It also demonstrates the relational aspect of God, who allows His people to engage with Him in dialogue. This interaction is reminiscent of Moses' later intercessions for Israel. Suppose ten are found there?”
Abraham's negotiation down to ten righteous individuals underscores the severity of Sodom's wickedness. The number ten is significant in Jewish tradition, often representing a quorum or minimum number for communal religious practices, such as a minyan. And He answered,
God's response indicates His willingness to listen and engage with human concerns. This interaction exemplifies the personal nature of God, who is not distant but involved in the affairs of humanity. “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
God's agreement to spare the city for the sake of ten righteous people highlights His mercy and justice. This foreshadows the concept of a remnant, a theme throughout Scripture where a small group of faithful individuals can bring about God's favor. It also points to the ultimate intercessor, Jesus Christ, whose righteousness spares humanity from destruction. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbrahamThe patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this passage, he is interceding for the city of Sodom. 2. The LordGod, who is in dialogue with Abraham, demonstrating His justice and mercy. 3. SodomA city known for its wickedness, which God plans to destroy due to its sinfulness. 4. IntercessionThe act of Abraham pleading with God to spare the city if righteous people can be found there. Teaching Points The Power of IntercessionAbraham's dialogue with God shows the importance and power of intercessory prayer. Believers are encouraged to pray for others, trusting in God's mercy and justice. God's Justice and MercyThis passage illustrates God's willingness to spare the wicked for the sake of the righteous, highlighting His just and merciful nature. The Value of RighteousnessThe negotiation down to ten righteous people underscores the significant impact a small number of righteous individuals can have on a community. Boldness in PrayerAbraham's persistence in prayer teaches believers to approach God with boldness and humility, trusting in His character. The Importance of Community RighteousnessThe passage challenges believers to consider their role in their communities and the impact of collective righteousness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Genesis 18:32?
2.How does Genesis 18:32 demonstrate God's mercy towards the righteous in a city?
3.What does Abraham's intercession in Genesis 18:32 teach about persistent prayer?
4.How can we apply Abraham's boldness in prayer to our own lives today?
5.Which other biblical figures interceded for others, similar to Abraham in Genesis 18:32?
6.How does Genesis 18:32 encourage us to seek justice and mercy in society?
7.Why does God agree to spare Sodom for ten righteous people in Genesis 18:32?
8.What does Genesis 18:32 reveal about God's justice and mercy?
9.How does Abraham's negotiation with God in Genesis 18:32 challenge our understanding of prayer?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 18?
11.If God judges individual hearts, why does Ezekiel 14:13–20 depict whole communities being punished for the sins of a few?
12.Ezekiel 33:17 – If God’s ways are truly just, why do we see instances of collective punishment and suffering elsewhere in Scripture?
13.Throughout Psalm 136, God’s mercy is repeatedly emphasized; how does this reconcile with other biblical passages depicting divine wrath and judgment?
14.In Psalm 103:8–10, God is portrayed as merciful—how do we reconcile this with Old Testament accounts of severe divine judgment?What Does Genesis 18:32 Mean Finally, Abraham saidThe narrative presents a real historical conversation between the living God and Abraham. After five prior petitions (Genesis 18:24-31), Abraham speaks yet again, showing that a believer may approach the Lord repeatedly with confidence. AsHebrews 4:16 declares, “Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Abraham trusts God’s willingness to hear, even when judgment is looming.
May the Lord not be angryReverence seasons Abraham’s boldness. He knows God is perfectly just and has every right to judge sin, yet he appeals to mercy.Proverbs 1:7 reminds us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,” andPsalm 130:3-4 adds, “If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities…who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.” Genuine fear of God does not silence prayer; it shapes it with humility.
but let me speak once morePersistence marks true intercession. Abraham is not bargaining for personal gain; he is standing in the gap for others. Jesus taught the same spirit inLuke 18:1: “Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart.” Paul echoes it in1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” Faith keeps asking until God either grants or clearly closes the door.
Suppose ten are found there?Abraham’s final proposal drops from fifty to ten, implying that a minimal righteous “remnant” might spare the whole region.Jeremiah 5:1 pictures the same principle: if only one just person were found in Jerusalem, judgment would have been withheld. Jesus calls His followers “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13), underscoring how even a small righteous presence preserves a community.Romans 11:5 later notes, “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.”
And He answeredGod immediately responds, proving that He listens to heartfelt petitions.Psalm 34:15 assures, “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.” Likewise,1 John 5:14-15 affirms that if we ask according to His will, He hears and answers. Divine justice does not negate divine attentiveness.
On account of the ten, I will not destroy itThe Lord’s reply reveals His mercy: He would spare an entire wicked city for the sake of ten righteous people. This matches2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord…is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” It also echoesEzekiel 22:30, where God searched for someone to “stand before Me in the gap…so that I would not destroy it.” Tragically, fewer than ten righteous were found, and judgment came (Genesis 19). Yet the principle stands: a remnant can stay wrath.Isaiah 1:9 later acknowledges, “Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom.”
summaryGenesis 18:32 records the climactic moment of Abraham’s intercession. His respectful persistence, rooted in awe of God and love for people, draws out a stunning promise: the Lord would spare Sodom if merely ten righteous lived there. The exchange demonstrates God’s readiness to relent when righteousness—no matter how small—appears, while also confirming that judgment will fall where none is found. Believers today are called to the same prayerful role, confident that the God who answered Abraham still listens and acts with perfect justice and mercy. Verse 32. - And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry ( vide supra), and I will speak but this once (literally, only this time more, as in Exodus 10:17): Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Finally, [Abraham] said,וַ֠יֹּאמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“May the Lordלַֽאדֹנָי֙(la·ḏō·nāy)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136:The Lordnotאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notbe angry,יִ֤חַר(yi·ḥar)Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2734:To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousybut let me speakוַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה(wa·’ă·ḏab·bə·rāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subdueonce more.הַפַּ֔עַם(hap·pa·‘am)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6471:A beat, foot, anvil, occurrenceSupposeאוּלַ֛י(’ū·lay)Adverb
Strong's 194:Perhapstenעֲשָׂרָ֑ה(‘ă·śā·rāh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6235:Tenare foundיִמָּצְא֥וּן(yim·mā·ṣə·’ūn)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 4672:To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be presentthere?”שָׁ֖ם(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitherAnd He answered,וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“On accountבַּעֲב֖וּר(ba·‘ă·ḇūr)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5668:Crossed, transit, on account of, in order thatof the ten,הָעֲשָׂרָֽה׃(hā·‘ă·śā·rāh)Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6235:TenI will notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nodestroy [it].”אַשְׁחִ֔ית(’aš·ḥîṯ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7843:Perhaps to go to ruin
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OT Law: Genesis 18:32 He said Oh don't let the Lord (Gen. Ge Gn) |
