King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:25 Mean?

Genesis 18:25 in the King James Version says “That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be a...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Genesis 18:25 · KJV

Context

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?

26

And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

27

And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the r... 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 deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
חָלִ֣לָה1 of 20

“That be far”

H2486

literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!

לְּךָ֜2 of 20
H0
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה3 of 20

“do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כַּדָּבָ֣ר4 of 20

“after this manner”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֗ה5 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְהָמִ֤ית6 of 20

“to slay”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

כַצַּדִּ֖יק7 of 20

“and that the righteous”

H6662

just

עִם8 of 20
H5973

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

כָּֽרָשָׁ֑ע9 of 20

“should be as the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

וְהָיָ֥ה10 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַצַּדִּ֖יק11 of 20

“and that the righteous”

H6662

just

כָּֽרָשָׁ֑ע12 of 20

“should be as the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

חָלִ֣לָה13 of 20

“That be far”

H2486

literal for a profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!

לָּ֔ךְ14 of 20
H0
הֲשֹׁפֵט֙15 of 20

“from thee Shall not the Judge”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

כָּל16 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֔רֶץ17 of 20

“of all the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לֹ֥א18 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה19 of 20

“do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מִשְׁפָּֽט׃20 of 20

“right”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

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 18:25 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 18:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 8:20Isaiah 3:10-11Job 8:3Deuteronomy 32:4Psalms 58:11Psalms 94:2

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