King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:23 Mean?

Genesis 18:23 in the King James Version says “And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 18:23 · KJV

Context

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?

25

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Read Genesis 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?... 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 this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ1 of 8

“drew near”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

אַבְרָהָ֖ם2 of 8

“And Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

וַיֹּאמַ֑ר3 of 8

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַאַ֣ף4 of 8
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

תִּסְפֶּ֔ה5 of 8

“Wilt thou also destroy”

H5595

properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r

צַדִּ֖יק6 of 8

“the righteous”

H6662

just

עִם7 of 8

“with”

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

רָשָֽׁע׃8 of 8

“the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

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 18:23 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 18:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 16:222 Samuel 24:17Genesis 20:4Psalms 11:4-7Romans 3:5-6Genesis 18:25

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