Genesis
Verse 1. Sitting, and so forth that he might lose no opportunity of exercising hospitality.
EXPLANATIONS
Genesis 18
Historical chapter commentary
Genesis
Verse 2. Men in outward appearance, but angels indeed. Hebrews 13:2. Saint Augustine de Calmet. D. xvi. chapter 29. Some have supposed, that one of them was the Son of God, whom Abraham adored, and who bears throughout the chief authority. Tres vidit et unum adoravit. He saw three and adored one, as we read in the Church office. In the former supposition, which is generally adopted, this adoration was only a civil ceremony, if Abraham considered them as mere men; or it might be mixed with a degree of religious, though inferior veneration, if he imagined they were angels; or in fine, he adored God in his representatives. Bible.
Genesis
Verse 4. Wash ye, or let your feet be washed by me, or by my servants, laventur. Menochius.
Genesis
Verse 5. Therefore, Providence has directed you hither. Abraham promises but little, and gives much, in the true spirit of generous hospitality. Calmet.
Genesis
Verse 6. Measures, or one epha; that is, three pecks and three pints, English corn measure.—Flour, of the finest quality, similæ.—Hearth, as being soonest ready.
Genesis
Verse 7. Himself. These rich and truly noble people, do not esteem it beneath themto wait on strangers. They provide abundance, but no dainties. Bible.
Genesis
Verse 9. Eaten apparently. Tobit 12:19 or perhaps they consumed the food, as fire may be said to eat. S. Justin’s Dial.
Genesis
Verse 10. Time, or season of the year ensuing, if I be alive; which he says after the manner of men, as he had assumed also the human form. Bible.
Genesis
Verse 12. Laughed, as if the promise were incredible.—My lord, or husband, which title of respect, Saint Peter i. Calmet. 3:6, commends. D.
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Verse 13. Indeed. This was the import of Sara’s words. By thus revealing what was secretly done in the tent, he shewed himself to be more than man.
Genesis
Verse 14. Hard. So Gabriel says to the blessed Virgin: there is nothing impossible to God.
Genesis
Verse 15. Afraid; which does not entirely clear her of sin: for though she might innocently laugh, if she thought the person who spoke was only a man, yet she ought not to have told an untruth; and if she reflected, that he had disclosed what she supposed no one knew, and thereby manifested his superiority over man, her denial was still more inexcusable. But she was taken, as it were, by surprise; and therefore the Lord reproves her very gently. Bible.
Genesis
Verse 21. I will go down, and so forth The Lord here accommodates his discourse to the way of speaking and acting amongst men: for he knoweth all things, and needeth not to go any where for information.—Note here, that two of the three angels went away immediately for Sodom; whilst the third, who represented the Lord, remained with Abraham.
Genesis
Verse 25. With the wicked. God frequently suffers the just to be here the most afflicted; designing to reward them abundantly hereafter. But this was not so common in the days of Abraham and Job. Calmet.
Genesis
Verse 32. Ten. Abraham’s chief solicitude was for Lot; though, out of modesty, he does not mention him; trusting, however, in the divine goodness the he would be preserved, unless he had forfeited his justice, he proceeds no farther. God thus challenges Jerusalem to produce one virtuous man, and the city shall be saved for his sake. Jeremiah 5:1. Bible.
Genesis
1 seah is about 7 liters or 1.9 gallons or 0.8 pecks