The Meaning of Genesis 18:23 Explained

Genesis 18:23

KJV: And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

YLT: And Abraham draweth nigh and saith, 'Dost Thou also consume righteous with wicked?

Darby: And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also cause the righteous to perish with the wicked?

ASV: And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou consume the righteous with the wicked?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Abraham  drew near,  and said,  Wilt thou also destroy  the righteous  with  the wicked? 

What does Genesis 18:23 Mean?

Study Notes

near
Communion vs. Genesis 18:23 , and intercession go together.

Context Summary

Genesis 18:16-33 - Abraham Pleads For Sodom
Christ had visited Abraham's tent, but He did more. He trusted him with His secrets, and led him almost unconsciously to a degree of faith and prayer that was far beyond what he had hitherto attained. Abraham seemed to be driving the Blessed One from point to point, but as a matter of fact, he was being drawn forward. It was so with the woman of Syrophenicia. God's love and willingness to bless far exceeded Abraham's faith, and when he had gone as far as he dared the divine love went farther and saved Lot from the overthrow. We can never go into the realms of love and compassion, without finding the footsteps of the Redeemer. See Hebrews 10:22. Amid all the mysteries of God's moral government we must always believe that He is just and righteous. His throne is encircled by the rainbow, but it is founded in unimpeachable integrity. How low Abraham lay in his self-estimate! They who know most of God do not presume on their knowledge, but esteem themselves the least of saints. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 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

What do the individual words in Genesis 18:23 mean?

And came near Abraham and said would also You destroy the righteous with the wicked
וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַאַ֣ף תִּסְפֶּ֔ה צַדִּ֖יק עִם־ ؟ רָשָֽׁע

וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ  And  came  near 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָגַשׁ  
Sense: to draw near, approach.
אַבְרָהָ֖ם  Abraham 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָהָם  
Sense: friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant.
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר  and  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
הַאַ֣ף  would  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אַף  
Sense: also, yea, though, so much the more adv.
תִּסְפֶּ֔ה  You  destroy 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: סָפָה  
Sense: to sweep or snatch away, catch up, destroy, consume.
צַדִּ֖יק  the  righteous 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: צַדִּיק  
Sense: just, lawful, righteous.
؟ רָשָֽׁע  the  wicked 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.