The three men who visited Abraham were probably angels. This is evident from Abraham's reaction to them. Also, it appears Abraham knew that he was speaking directly to Yahweh through these men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#angel and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
When Sarah heard the news that she was going to have a baby, she laughed in disbelief because she was considered too old to have a baby. She also asked a rhetorical question in order to further show her disbelief. This would have been considered an insult to God. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#believe and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
In his exchange with God, Abraham did not show any sign of unbelief. Instead, he is asking God for mercy because he trusted in the character of God. He does not question God's power to accomplish things as Sarah had done. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#trust)
It should be apparent that Sarah was physically no longer able to have children because of her age. There is a natural period in a woman's life when she stops being able to have children. The text assumes the reader understands that Sarah has already experienced this event. In English, this is called "menopause." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
This was the name of the man who owned the oak trees.
"at the opening of the tent" or "at the entrance of the tent"
"hottest time of day"
"He looked up and saw, and behold, three men were standing"
"he was surprised because he saw"
"nearby" or "there." They were near him, but far enough away for him to run to them.
This means to bend over to humbly express respect and honor toward someone.
This is a title of respect. Possible meanings are 1) Abraham knew that one of these men was God or 2) Abraham knew that these men came on behalf of God.
Here "found favor" is an idiom that means be approved of or that the Lord is pleased with him, and "your sight" is a metaphor representing the Lord's evaluation. Alternate translation: "if you have evaluated me and approve" or "if you are pleased with me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Abraham is speaking to one of the men. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)
"please do not keep on going past"
"me." Abraham refers to himself this way in order to show respect to his guest.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Let me bring you some water" or "My servant will bring you some water" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
"some water." Saying "little" was a polite way of showing generosity. Abraham would give them more than enough water.
This custom helped tired travelers to refresh themselves after walking long distances.
"some food." Saying "little" was a polite way of showing generosity. Abraham would give them more than enough food.
Abraham speaks to all three of the men, so "you" and "your" are plural. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)
about 22 liters (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-bvolume)
This bread was probably cooked quickly on a hot stone. It may have been flat or round like small loaves or rolls.
"the servant hurried"
"to cut it up and roast it"
This refers to the solid part of fermented milk. It may have been yogurt or cheese.
"the roasted calf"
"before the three visitors"
"Then they said to Abraham"
The word "He" refers to the man whom Abraham called "Lord" in Genesis 18:3.
"when this same season comes next year" or "about this time next year"
The word "see" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
"at the opening of the tent" or "at the entrance of the tent"
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You may want to make explicit that Sarah is speaking of the pleasure of having a baby. Sarah used this rhetorical question because she did not believe that she could have a child. Alternate translation: "I am worn out and my master is old, so I cannot believe that I will experience the joy of having a child."" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
"I am too old to conceive a child"
This means "since my husband is also old."
This is a title of respect that Sarah gave to her husband Abraham.
God used this rhetorical question to show that he knew what Sarah was thinking and that he was not pleased with it. He repeats Sarah's rhetorical question (Genesis 18:12) using different words. Alternate translation: "Sarah was wrong to laugh and say, 'I will not bear a child because I am too old!'"(See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
"Is there anything that Yahweh cannot do?" Yahweh speaks of himself as if he were speaking of someone else to remind Abraham that he, Yahweh, is great and can do anything. Alternate translation: "There is nothing that I, Yahweh, cannot do!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
"At the time I have appointed, which is in the spring"
"The Sarah denied it by saying"
"Yahweh replied"
"Yes, you did laugh." This means "No, that is not true; you did in fact laugh."
"to send them on their way" or "to say 'Farewell' to them." It was polite to go some distance with guests as they were leaving.
God used this rhetorical question to say that he was going to talk to Abraham about something very important and that it was best for him to do so. Alternate translation: "I should not and will not hide from Abraham what I am about to do" or "I should and will tell Abraham what I am about to do" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
The rhetorical question that begins with the words "Should I hide" in verse 17 ends here. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
The rhetorical question that begins with the words "Should I hide" in verse 17 ends here. God uses this rhetorical question to say that he was going to talk to Abraham about something very important and that it was best for him to do so. "I should not and will not hide ... since Abraham in him." or "I should and will tell ... since Abraham in him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
"This is because ... him"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will bless all the nations of the earth through Abraham" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
"will be blessed because of Abraham" or "will be blessed because I have blessed Abraham." For translating "in him" see how you translated "through you" in Genesis 12:3.
"that he will direct" or "so that he will command"
Yahweh is speaking about himself as if he were another person. Alternate translation: "to obey what I, Yahweh, require ... I, Yahweh, may bring ... I have said" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
"to obey the commands of Yahweh"
"by doing righteousness and justice." This tells how to keep the way of Yahweh.
"so that Yahweh may bless Abraham just as he said he would." This refers to the covenant promise to bless Abraham and make him a great nation.
This can be reworded so that the abstract noun "outcry" is expressed as the verb "accuse." Alternate translation: "so many people have been accusing the people of Sodom and Gomorrah of doing evil things" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)
"they have sinned so much"
"I will now go down to Sodom and Gomorrah"
"go down there to find out" or "go down there to decide"
Yahweh speaks as if he knew about this matter because he had heard the cries and accusations coming from the people who had suffered. This can be reworded so that the abstract noun "outcry" is expressed as the verb "accuse." Alternate translation: "as wicked as those who are accusing them say that they are" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)
"If they are not as wicked as the outcry suggests"
"went out from Abraham's camp"
"Abraham and Yahweh remained together"
"approached Yahweh and said" or "stepped closer to Yahweh and said"
Abraham speaks of destroying people as if it were sweeping dirt with a broom. Alternate translation: "destroy" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
"the righteous people with the wicked people"
Abraham continues talking to Yahweh.
"Suppose there are"
Abraham was hoping that Yahweh would say, "I will not sweep it away." Alternate translation: "I think you would not sweep it away. Instead, you would spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous that are there" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
"destroy it." Abraham speaks of destroying people as if it were sweeping dirt with a broom. Alternate translation: "destroy the people who live there" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Abraham was hoping that God would say "I will spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people there."
"let the people live"
"because of"
Here "Far be it from you" is an idiom that means the person should never do something like that. Alternate translation: "I would never want you to do something like that" or "You should not want to do something like that" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
"such a thing as killing" or "such a thing, that is, killing"
This can be stated in active from. Alternate translation: "you should treat the righteous the same way you treat the wicked" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
Abraham used this rhetorical question to say what he expected God to do. Alternate translation: "The Judge of all the earth will certainly do what is just!" or "Since you are the Judge of all the earth, you will surely do what is right!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
God is often referred to as a judge because he is the one perfect judge who makes the final decisions about what is right or wrong.
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The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: I" See how you translated this phrase in Genesis 12:11.
"Pardon me for being so bold as to speak to you" or "Excuse me for daring to speak"
Abraham shows his respect to Yahweh by speaking to Yahweh as if he were speaking to someone else. Alternate translation: "to you, my Lord" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
This metaphor describes Abraham as a human being, who will die and whose body will turn into to dust and ashes. Alternate translation: "only a mortal man" or "as unimportant as dust and ashes" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
"only forty-five righteous people"
"if there are five fewer righteous people"
"I will not destroy Sodom"
"Abraham spoke to Yahweh"
This can be translated in active form. You may have to fill in the ellipsis, "righteous people." Alternate translation: "if you find forty righteous people there" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)
"for the sake of the forty" or "if I find forty there." You may have to fill in the ellipsis, "righteous people." Alternate translation: "for the sake of the forty righteous people" or "if I find forty righteous people there" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)
"Yahweh answered"
"I will not destroy the cities if I find forty righteous people there"
This can be translated in active form. You may have to fill in the ellipsis, "righteous people." Alternate translation: "you will find thirty righteous people there" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: I" See how you translated similar words in Genesis 12:11.
"Pardon me for being so bold as to speak to you" or "Excuse me for daring to speak." See how this is translated in Genesis 18:27.
This can be translated in active form. You may have to fill in the ellipsis, "righteous people." Alternate translation: "you will find twenty righteous people there" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)
"for the sake of the twenty" or "if I find twenty there." You may have to fill in the ellipsis, "righteous people." Alternate translation: "for the sake of the twenty righteous people" or "if I find twenty righteous people there" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)
"Perhaps you will find ten righteous people there"
"Perhaps ten righteous people" or "ten good people"
"And Yahweh answered"
"if I find ten righteous people there"
Here "went on his way" is an idiom that means he left, or he continued his journey. Yahweh appeared to Abraham in human form as a traveler. Alternate translation: "Yahweh departed" or "Yahweh continued on his journey" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)