King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:28 Mean?

Genesis 18:28 in the King James Version says “Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said,...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.”

Genesis 18:28 · KJV

Context

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:

28

Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

29

And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.

30

And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

Read Genesis 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack o... 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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 should this truth about Intercession for Sodom shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
א֠וּלַי1 of 18
H194

if not; hence perhaps

יַחְסְר֞וּן2 of 18

“Peradventure there shall lack”

H2637

to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen

חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים3 of 18

“of the fifty”

H2572

fifty

הַצַּדִּיקִם֙4 of 18

“righteous”

H6662

just

וַֽחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃5 of 18

“and five”

H2568

five

אַשְׁחִ֔ית6 of 18

“I will not destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

וַֽחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃7 of 18

“and five”

H2568

five

אֶת8 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל9 of 18
H3605

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

הָעִ֑יר10 of 18

“all the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙11 of 18

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֣א12 of 18
H3808

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

אַשְׁחִ֔ית13 of 18

“I will not destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

אִם14 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֶמְצָ֣א15 of 18

“If I find”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

שָׁ֔ם16 of 18
H8033

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

אַרְבָּעִ֖ים17 of 18

“there forty”

H705

forty

וַֽחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃18 of 18

“and five”

H2568

five

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 18:28 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 18:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 23:3-4Genesis 18:29Genesis 18:26Numbers 14:17-191 Kings 20:32-33

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 18 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 18 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes