King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:22 Mean?

Genesis 18:22 in the King James Version says “And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.”

Genesis 18:22 · KJV

Context

20

And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

21

I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

22

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

23

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

24

Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?

Read Genesis 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the ... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַיִּפְנ֤וּ1 of 10

“turned their faces”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

מִשָּׁם֙2 of 10
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים3 of 10
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיֵּֽלְכ֖וּ4 of 10
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

סְדֹ֑מָה5 of 10

“toward Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם6 of 10

“but Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

עוֹדֶ֥נּוּ7 of 10

“yet”

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

עֹמֵ֖ד8 of 10

“stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לִפְנֵ֥י9 of 10

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָֽה׃10 of 10

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 18:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 18:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 19:1Ezekiel 22:30Acts 7:55Jeremiah 18:20Psalms 106:231 Timothy 2:1

Places in This Verse

SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
View all places in Genesis 18 →

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