Genesis

Genesis 18:1–8

¹Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks^a of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. ²And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

³“My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. ⁴Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. ⁵And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.”

“Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.”

⁶So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three seahs of fine flour,^b knead it, and bake some bread.”

⁷Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd, selected a tender and choice calf, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. ⁸Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and he set them before the men and stood by them under the tree as they ate.

Footnotes

a 18:1 Or Terebinths or Great Trees
b 18:6 3 seahs is approximately 19.8 dry quarts or 21.9 liters (probably about 24.5 pounds or 11.1 kilograms of flour).

Read all of Genesis 18

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Genesis 18:1

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then the LORD	יְהוָ֔ה	Yah·weh	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H3068 Yahweh
appeared	וַיֵּרָ֤א	way·yê·rā	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7200 see
to	אֵלָיו֙	’ê·lāw	Preposition; third person masculine singular	H413 motion to
by the Oaks	בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י	bə·’ê·lō·nê	Preposition-b; Noun - masculine plural construct	H436 terebinth
of Mamre	מַמְרֵ֑א	mam·rê	Noun - proper - feminine singular	H4471 Mamre
in the heat	כְּחֹ֥ם	kə·ḥōm	Preposition-k; Noun - masculine singular construct	H2527 heat
of the day	הַיּֽוֹם׃	hay·yō·wm	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H3117 day
while he	וְה֛וּא	wə·hū	Conjunctive waw; Pronoun - third person masculine singular	H1931 he, she
was sitting	יֹשֵׁ֥ב	yō·šêḇ	Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular	H3427 sit, remain, dwell
at the entrance	פֶּֽתַח־	pe·ṯaḥ-	Noun - masculine singular construct	H6607 opening, doorway, entrance
of his tent	הָאֹ֖הֶל	hā·’ō·hel	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H168 tent

Genesis 18:2

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
And	וַיִּשָּׂ֤א	way·yiś·śā	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H5375 lift, take, carry
and saw	וַיַּ֔רְא	way·yar	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7200 see
three	שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה	šə·lō·šāh	Number - masculine singular	H7969 a three, triad
men	אֲנָשִׁ֔ים	’ă·nā·šîm	Noun - masculine plural	H582 man, mankind
standing	נִצָּבִ֖ים	niṣ·ṣā·ḇîm	Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural	H5324 take one's stand, stand
nearby	עָלָ֑יו	‘ā·lāw	Preposition; third person masculine singular	H5921 height
When he saw them	וַיַּ֗רְא	way·yar	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7200 see
he ran from	וַיָּ֤רָץ	way·yā·rāṣ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7323 run
the entrance	מִפֶּ֣תַח	mip·pe·ṯaḥ	Preposition-m; Noun - masculine singular construct	H6607 opening, doorway, entrance
of his tent	הָאֹ֔הֶל	hā·’ō·hel	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H168 tent
to meet them	לִקְרָאתָם֙	liq·rā·ṯām	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct; third person masculine plural	H7122 encounter, befall
and bowed low	וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ	way·yiš·ta·ḥū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H7812 bow down
to the ground	אָֽרְצָה׃	’ā·rə·ṣāh	Noun - feminine singular; third person feminine singular	H776 earth, land

Genesis 18:3

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
My lord	אֲדֹנָ֗י	’ă·ḏō·nāy	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H113 lord
said	וַיֹּאמַ֑ר	way·yō·mar	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
if	אִם־	’im-	Conjunction	H518 if
I have found	מָצָ֤אתִי	mā·ṣā·ṯî	Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular	H4672 attain to, find
favor	חֵן֙	ḥên	Noun - masculine singular	H2580 favour, grace
in your sight	בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ	bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā	Preposition-b; Noun - cdc; second person masculine singular	H5869 eye
please	נָ֨א	nā	Interjection	H4994 I (we) pray, now
do not	אַל־	’al-	Adverb	H408 prohibition, do not . . ., let not . . .
pass	תַעֲבֹ֖ר	ṯa·‘ă·ḇōr	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular	H5674 pass over, through, by, pass on
your servant	עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃	‘aḇ·de·ḵā	Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singular	H5650 slave, servant

Genesis 18:4

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Let a little	מְעַט־	mə·‘aṭ-	Adjective - masculine singular construct	H4592 a little, fewness, a few
water	מַ֔יִם	ma·yim	Noun - masculine plural	H4325 water, juice, urine
be brought	יֻקַּֽח־	yuq·qaḥ-	Verb - QalPass - Imperfect - third person masculine singular	H3947 take
that you may wash	וְרַחֲצ֖וּ	wə·ra·ḥă·ṣū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H7364 wash, wash off, away, bathe
your feet	רַגְלֵיכֶ֑ם	raḡ·lê·ḵem	Noun - feminine dual construct; second person masculine plural	H7272 foot
and rest	וְהִֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ	wə·hiš·šā·‘ă·nū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine plural	H8172 lean, support oneself
yourselves under	תַּ֥חַת	ta·ḥaṯ	Preposition	H8478 the under part
the tree	הָעֵֽץ׃	hā·‘êṣ	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H6086 tree, trees, wood

Genesis 18:5

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
And I will bring	וְאֶקְחָ֨ה	wə·’eq·ḥāh	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular	H3947 take
a bit	פַת־	p̄aṯ-	Noun - feminine singular construct	H6595 fragment, bit, morsel
of bread	לֶ֜חֶם	le·ḥem	Noun - masculine singular	H3899 bread, food
so that you may refresh	וְסַעֲד֤וּ	wə·sa·‘ă·ḏū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural	H5582 support, sustain, stay
yourselves	לִבְּכֶם֙	lib·bə·ḵem	Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine plural	H3820 inner man, mind, will, heart
This is why	כִּֽי־	kî-	Conjunction	H3588 burning, branding
you have passed	תַּעֲבֹ֔רוּ	ta·‘ă·ḇō·rū	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural	H5674 pass over, through, by, pass on
your servant’s way	עַבְדְּכֶ֑ם	‘aḇ·də·ḵem	Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine plural	H5650 slave, servant
After that	אַחַ֣ר	’a·ḥar	Adverb	H310 behind
you may continue on your way	עֲבַרְתֶּ֖ם	‘ă·ḇar·tem	Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural	H5674 pass over, through, by, pass on
Yes	כֵּ֥ן	kên	Adverb	H3651 right, veritable, honest
they replied	וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ	way·yō·mə·rū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H559 utter, say
you may do	תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה	ta·‘ă·śeh	Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular	H6213 do, make
as	כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר	ka·’ă·šer	Preposition-k; Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
you have said	דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃	dib·bar·tā	Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular	H1696 speak

Genesis 18:6

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
So Abraham	אַבְרָהָ֛ם	’aḇ·rā·hām	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H85 Abraham
hurried	וַיְמַהֵ֧ר	way·ma·hêr	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H4116 hasten
into the tent	הָאֹ֖הֱלָה	hā·’ō·hĕ·lāh	Article; Noun - masculine singular; third person feminine singular	H168 tent
and said	וַיֹּ֗אמֶר	way·yō·mer	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H559 utter, say
to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
Sarah	שָׂרָ֑ה	śā·rāh	Noun - proper - feminine singular	H8283 Sarah
Quick	מַהֲרִ֞י	ma·hă·rî	Verb - Piel - Imperative - feminine singular	H4116 hasten
Prepare	מַהֲרִ֞י	ma·hă·rî	Verb - Piel - Imperative - feminine singular	H4116 hasten
three	שְׁלֹ֤שׁ	šə·lōš	Number - feminine singular construct	H7969 a three, triad
seahs	סְאִים֙	sə·’îm	Noun - feminine plural	H5429 se'ah
of fine	סֹ֔לֶת	sō·leṯ	Noun - feminine singular	H5560 fine flour
flour	קֶ֣מַח	qe·maḥ	Noun - masculine singular	H7058 flour, meal
knead it	ל֖וּשִׁי	lū·šî	Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular	H3888 knead
and bake	וַעֲשִׂ֥י	wa·‘ă·śî	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular	H6213 do, make
some bread	עֻגֽוֹת׃	‘u·ḡō·wṯ	Noun - feminine plural	H5692 disc or cake of bread

Genesis 18:7

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Meanwhile	אַבְרָהָ֑ם	’aḇ·rā·hām	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H85 Abraham
Abraham	אַבְרָהָ֑ם	’aḇ·rā·hām	Noun - proper - masculine singular	H85 Abraham
ran	רָ֣ץ	rāṣ	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H7323 run
to	וְאֶל־	wə·’el-	Conjunctive waw; Preposition	H413 motion to
the herd	הַבָּקָ֖ר	hab·bā·qār	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H1241 cattle, herd, ox
selected	וַיִּקַּ֨ח	way·yiq·qaḥ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H3947 take
a tender	רַ֤ךְ	raḵ	Adjective - masculine singular	H7390 tender, delicate, soft
and choice	וָטוֹב֙	wā·ṭō·wḇ	Conjunctive waw; Adjective - masculine singular	H2896 pleasant, agreeable, good
calf	בֶּן־	ben-	Noun - masculine singular construct	H1121 son
and gave	וַיִּתֵּ֣ן	way·yit·tên	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H5414 give, put, set
it to	אֶל־	’el-	Preposition	H413 motion to
a servant	הַנַּ֔עַר	han·na·‘ar	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H5288 a shaking, scattering
who hurried	וַיְמַהֵ֖ר	way·ma·hêr	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H4116 hasten
to prepare	לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת	la·‘ă·śō·wṯ	Preposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct	H6213 do, make
it	אֹתֽוֹ׃	’ō·ṯōw	Direct object marker; third person masculine singular	H853 mark of the accusative

Genesis 18:8

English	Hebrew	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Then Abraham brought	וַיִּקַּ֨ח	way·yiq·qaḥ	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H3947 take
curds	חֶמְאָ֜ה	ḥem·’āh	Noun - feminine singular	H2529 curd
and milk	וְחָלָ֗ב	wə·ḥā·lāḇ	Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular	H2461 milk
and the calf	וּבֶן־	ū·ḇen-	Conjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular construct	H1121 son
that	אֲשֶׁ֣ר	’ă·šer	Pronoun - relative	H834 particle of relation
had been prepared	עָשָׂ֔ה	‘ā·śāh	Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular	H6213 do, make
and he set them	וַיִּתֵּ֖ן	way·yit·tên	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular	H5414 give, put, set
before the men	לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם	lip̄·nê·hem	Preposition-l; Noun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine plural	H6440 face, before
and	וְהֽוּא־	wə·hū-	Conjunctive waw; Pronoun - third person masculine singular	H1931 he, she
stood	עֹמֵ֧ד	‘ō·mêḏ	Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular	H5975 take one's stand, stand
by them	עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם	‘ă·lê·hem	Preposition; third person masculine plural	H5921 height
under	תַּ֥חַת	ta·ḥaṯ	Preposition	H8478 the under part
the tree	הָעֵ֖ץ	hā·‘êṣ	Article; Noun - masculine singular	H6086 tree, trees, wood
as they ate	וַיֹּאכֵֽלוּ׃	way·yō·ḵê·lū	Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural	H398 eat