Genesis 18 בְּרֵאשִׁית פרק י״ח

Masoretic Text, word by word with transliteration and English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open Genesis 18 in the interlinear reader for roots and notes, or listen to it read aloud in Hebrew.

1. 1

   וַיֵּרָאvay/ye/RAand appearedאֵלָיוe/LAYVto himיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDבְּאֵלֹנֵיbe/e/lo/NEby the oaks ofמַמְרֵאMam/REMamreוְהוּאve/HUand heיֹשֵׁבyo/SHEVsatפֶּתַח־הָאֹהֶלPE/tach-ha/O/helin the tent doorכְּחֹםke/CHOMin the heat ofהַיּוֹם׃hay/YOMthe day

   And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

2. 2

   וַיִּשָּׂאvay/yis/SAand he lifted upעֵינָיוe/NAYVhis eyesוַיַּרְאvay/YARand sawוְהִנֵּהve/hin/NEand beholdשְׁלֹשָׁהshe/lo/SHAthreeאֲנָשִׁיםa/na/SHIMmenנִצָּבִיםnits/tsa/VIMstoodעָלָיוa/LAYVby himוַיַּרְאvay/YARand sawוַיָּרׇץvay/YA/rotsand he ranלִקְרָאתָםlik/ra/TAMto meet themמִפֶּתַחmip/PE/tachfrom the door ofהָאֹהֶלha/O/helthe tentוַיִּשְׁתַּחוּvay/yish/TA/chuand bowed himselfאָרְצָה׃AR/tsatoward the ground

   And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

3. 3

   וַיֹּאמַרvay/yo/MARand saidאֲדֹנָיa/do/NAYO Lordאִם־נָאim-naif nowמָצָאתִיma/TSA/tiI have foundחֵןchenfavorבְּעֵינֶיךָbe/e/NE/khain your eyesאַל־נָאal-nanot I prayתַעֲבֹרta/a/VORpass awayמֵעַלme/ALfrom uponעַבְדֶּךָ׃av/DE/khaYour servant

   And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

4. 4

   יֻקַּח־נָאyuk/KACH-nalet be fetched I prayמְעַט־מַיִםme/AT-MA/yima little waterוְרַחֲצוּve/ra/cha/TSUand washרַגְלֵיכֶםrag/le/KHEMyour feetוְהִשָּׁעֲנוּve/hish/sha/a/NUand rest yourselvesתַּחַתTA/chatunderהָעֵץ׃ha/ETSthe tree

   Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

5. 5

   וְאֶקְחָהve/ek/CHAand I will fetchפַת־לֶחֶםfat-LE/chema morsel of breadוְסַעֲדוּve/sa/a/DUand comfortלִבְּכֶםlib/be/KHEMyour heartsאַחַרa/CHARafter thatתַּעֲבֹרוּta/a/VO/ruyou shall pass onכִּי־עַל־כֵּןki-al-kenfor thereforeעֲבַרְתֶּםa/var/TEMhave you comeעַל־עַבְדְּכֶםal-av/de/KHEMto your servantוַיֹּאמְרוּvay/yo/me/RUand they saidכֵּןkensoתַּעֲשֶׂהta/a/SEdoכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERasדִּבַּרְתָּ׃dib/BAR/tayou have said

   And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

6. 6

   וַיְמַהֵרvay/ma/HERand hastenedאַבְרָהָםAv/ra/HAMAbrahamהָאֹהֱלָהha/O/he/lato the tentאֶל־שָׂרָהel-Sa/RAto Sarahוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidמַהֲרִיma/ha/RIhastenשְׁלֹשׁshe/LOSHthreeסְאִיםse/IMmeasures ofקֶמַחKE/machmealסֹלֶתSO/letfineלוּשִׁיLU/shikneadוַעֲשִׂיva/a/SIand makeעֻגוֹת׃u/GOTcakes

   And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

7. 7

   וְאֶל־הַבָּקָרve/EL-hab/ba/KARand to the herdרָץratshe ranאַבְרָהָםAv/ra/HAMAbrahamוַיִּקַּחvay/yik/KACHand tookבֶּן־בָּקָרben-ba/KARa calfרַךְrakhtenderוָטוֹבva/TOVand goodוַיִּתֵּןvay/yit/TENand gave itאֶל־הַנַּעַרel-han/NA/arto a young manוַיְמַהֵרvay/ma/HERand he hastenedלַעֲשׂוֹתla/a/SOTto dressאֹתוֹ׃o/TOit

   And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.

8. 8

   וַיִּקַּחvay/yik/KACHand tookחֶמְאָהchem/Abutterוְחָלָבve/cha/LAVand milkוּבֶן־הַבָּקָרu/VEN-hab/ba/KARand the calfאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhichעָשָׂהa/SAhe had dressedוַיִּתֵּןvay/yit/TENand gaveלִפְנֵיהֶםlif/ne/HEMbefore themוְהוּא־עֹמֵדve/HU-o/MEDand he stoodעֲלֵיהֶםa/le/HEMby themתַּחַתTA/chatunderהָעֵץha/ETSthe treeוַיֹּאכֵלוּ׃vay/yo/KHE/luand they ate

   And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

9. 9

   וַיֹּאמְרוּvay/yo/me/RUand they saidאֵׄלָיׄוׄe/LAYVto himאַיֵּהay/YEwhere isשָׂרָהSa/RASarahאִשְׁתֶּךָish/TE/khayour wifeוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdבָאֹהֶל׃va/O/helin the tent

   And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.

10. 10

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשׁוֹבshovreturnאָשׁוּבa/SHUVI will returnאֵלֶיךָe/LE/khato youכָּעֵתka/ETaccording to the timeחַיָּהchay/YAof lifeוְהִנֵּה־בֵןve/hin/NE-venand lo a sonלְשָׂרָהle/Sa/RAto Sarahאִשְׁתֶּךָish/TE/khayour wifeוְשָׂרָהve/Sa/RAand Sarahשֹׁמַעַתsho/MA/atheardפֶּתַחPE/tachin the door ofהָאֹהֶלha/O/helthe tentוְהוּאve/HUwhich wasאַחֲרָיו׃a/cha/RAYVafter him

    And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

11. 11

    וְאַבְרָהָםve/Av/ra/HAMand Abrahamוְשָׂרָהve/Sa/RAand Sarahזְקֵנִיםze/ke/NIMwere oldבָּאִיםba/IMwell strickenבַּיָּמִיםbay/ya/MIMin the daysחָדַלcha/DALit ceasedלִהְיוֹתlih/YOTto beלְשָׂרָהle/Sa/RAwith SarahאֹרַחO/rachthe mannerכַּנָּשִׁים׃kan/na/SHIMof women

    Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

12. 12

    וַתִּצְחַקvat/tits/CHAKand she laughedשָׂרָהSa/RASarahבְּקִרְבָּהּbe/kir/BAwithin herselfלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterבְלֹתִיve/lo/TII am waxed oldהָיְתָה־לִּיha/ye/TA-lishall I haveעֶדְנָהed/NApleasureוַאדֹנִיva/do/NIand my lordזָקֵן׃za/KENis old

    Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

13. 13

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDאֶל־אַבְרָהָםel-Av/ra/HAMto AbrahamלָמָּהLAM/mawhyזֶּהzethisצָחֲקָהtsa/cha/KAdid laughשָׂרָהSa/RASarahלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingהַאַףha/AFshall I indeedאֻמְנָםum/NAMof a suretyאֵלֵדe/LEDbearוַאֲנִיva/a/NIwho amזָקַנְתִּי׃za/KAN/tiold

    And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

14. 14

    הֲיִפָּלֵאha/yip/pa/LEis too hardמֵיְהֹוָהme-Adonaifor the LORDדָּבָרda/VARanythingלַמּוֹעֵדlam/mo/EDat the time appointedאָשׁוּבa/SHUVI will returnאֵלֶיךָe/LE/khato youכָּעֵתka/ETaccording to the timeחַיָּהchay/YAof lifeוּלְשָׂרָהu/Le/sa/RAand to Sarahבֵן׃vena son

    Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

15. 15

    וַתְּכַחֵשׁvat/te/kha/CHESHand she deniedשָׂרָהSa/RASarahלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingלֹאlonotצָחַקְתִּיtsa/CHAK/tiI laughedכִּיkiforיָרֵאָהya/RE/ashe was afraidוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלֹאlonotכִּיkiforצָחָקְתְּ׃tsa/CHAKTyou laughed

    Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

16. 16

    וַיָּקֻמוּvay/ya/KU/muand rose upמִשָּׁםmish/SHAMfrom thereהָאֲנָשִׁיםha/a/na/SHIMthe menוַיַּשְׁקִפוּvay/yash/KI/fuand lookedעַל־פְּנֵיal-pe/NEupon the face ofסְדֹםSe/DOMSodomוְאַבְרָהָםve/Av/ra/HAMand Abrahamהֹלֵךְho/LEKHgoingעִמָּםim/MAMwith themלְשַׁלְּחָם׃le/shal/le/CHAMto bring them on the way

    And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

17. 17

    וַיהֹוָהve-Adonaiand the LORDאָמָרa/MARsaidהַמְכַסֶּהham/khas/SEshall hideאֲנִיa/NIIמֵאַבְרָהָםme/Av/ra/HAMfrom Abrahamאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthat whichאֲנִיa/NIIעֹשֶׂה׃o/SEdo

    And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

18. 18

    וְאַבְרָהָםve/Av/ra/HAMand Abrahamהָיוֹha/YObecomeיִהְיֶהyih/YEshall becomeלְגוֹיle/GOYa nationגָּדוֹלga/DOLgreatוְעָצוּםve/a/TSUMand mightyוְנִבְרְכוּ־בוֹve/niv/re/KHU-voand shall be blessed in himכֹּלkolallגּוֹיֵיgo/YEnations ofהָאָרֶץ׃ha/A/retsthe earth

    Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

19. 19

    כִּיkiforיְדַעְתִּיוye/da/TIVI have known himלְמַעַןle/MA/anthatאֲשֶׁרa/SHERheיְצַוֶּהye/tsav/VEwill commandאֶת־בָּנָיוet-ba/NAYVhis childrenוְאֶת־בֵּיתוֹve/ET-be/TOand his householdאַחֲרָיוa/cha/RAYVafter himוְשָׁמְרוּve/sha/me/RUand they shall keepדֶּרֶךְDE/rekhthe way ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDלַעֲשׂוֹתla/a/SOTto doצְדָקָהtse/da/KArighteousnessוּמִשְׁפָּטu/mish/PATand judgmentלְמַעַןle/MA/anthatהָבִיאha/VImay bringיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDעַל־אַבְרָהָםal-Av/ra/HAMupon Abrahamאֵת־אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּרet-a/SHER-dib/BERthat which He has spokenעָלָיו׃a/LAYVof him

    For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

20. 20

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDזַעֲקַתza/a/KATthe cry ofסְדֹםSe/DOMSodomוַעֲמֹרָהva/A/mo/RAand Gomorrahכִּי־רָבָּהki-RAB/babecause is greatוְחַטָּאתָםve/chat/ta/TAMand their sinכִּיkibecauseכָבְדָהkha/ve/DAis heavyמְאֹד׃me/ODexceedingly

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

21. 21

    אֵרְדָה־נָּאer/DA-naI will go down nowוְאֶרְאֶהve/er/Eand seeהַכְּצַעֲקָתָהּhak/ke/tsa/a/ka/TAwhether according to its cryהַבָּאָהhab/BA/awhich is comeאֵלַיe/LAYto meעָשׂוּa/SUthey have doneכָּלָהka/LAaltogetherוְאִם־לֹאve/IM-loand if notאֵדָעָה׃e/DA/aI will know

    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. 22

    וַיִּפְנוּvay/yif/NUand turnedמִשָּׁםmish/SHAMfrom thereהָאֲנָשִׁיםha/a/na/SHIMthe menוַיֵּלְכוּvay/yel/KHUand they wentסְדֹמָהSe/DO/mato Sodomוְאַבְרָהָםve/Av/ra/HAMand Abrahamעוֹדֶנּוּo/DEN/nuyetעֹמֵדo/MEDstoodלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeיְהֹוָה׃Adonaithe LORD

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

23. 23

    וַיִּגַּשׁvay/yig/GASHand drew nearאַבְרָהָםAv/ra/HAMAbrahamוַיֹּאמַרvay/yo/MARand saidהַאַףha/AFwill alsoתִּסְפֶּהtis/PEYou destroyצַדִּיקtsad/DIKthe righteousעִם־רָשָׁע׃im-ra/SHAwith the wicked

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

24. 24

    אוּלַיu/LAYperhapsיֵשׁyeshthere areחֲמִשִּׁיםcha/mish/SHIMfiftyצַדִּיקִםtsad/di/KIMrighteousבְּתוֹךְbe/TOKHwithinהָעִירha/IRthe cityהַאַףha/AFwill alsoתִּסְפֶּהtis/PEYou destroyוְלֹא־תִשָּׂאve/LO-tis/SAand not spareלַמָּקוֹםlam/ma/KOMthe placeלְמַעַןle/MA/anfor the sake ofחֲמִשִּׁיםcha/mish/SHIMfiftyהַצַּדִּיקִםhats/tsad/di/KIMthe righteousאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthat areבְּקִרְבָּהּ׃be/kir/BAtherein

    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. 25

    חָלִלָהcha/LI/lafar be itלְּךָle/KHAfrom Youמֵעֲשֹׂתme/a/SOTto doכַּדָּבָרkad/da/VARaccording to the thingהַזֶּהhaz/ZEthisלְהָמִיתle/ha/MITto slayצַדִּיקtsad/DIKthe righteousעִם־רָשָׁעim-ra/SHAwith the wickedוְהָיָהve/ha/YAand that should beכַצַּדִּיקkhats/tsad/DIKthe righteousכָּרָשָׁעka/ra/SHAas the wickedחָלִלָהcha/LI/lafar be itלָּךְlakhfrom YouהֲשֹׁפֵטHa/sho/FETshall the Judge ofכׇּל־הָאָרֶץkol-ha/A/retsall the earthלֹאlonotיַעֲשֶׂהya/a/SEdoמִשְׁפָּט׃mish/PATright

    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. 26

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDאִם־אֶמְצָאim-em/TSAif I findבִסְדֹםVis/DOMin Sodomחֲמִשִּׁיםcha/mish/SHIMfiftyצַדִּיקִםtsad/di/KIMrighteousבְּתוֹךְbe/TOKHwithinהָעִירha/IRthe cityוְנָשָׂאתִיve/na/SA/tithen I will spareלְכׇל־הַמָּקוֹםle/KHOL-ham/ma/KOMall the placeבַּעֲבוּרָם׃ba/a/vu/RAMfor their sakes

    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. 27

    וַיַּעַןvay/YA/anand he answeredאַבְרָהָםAv/ra/HAMAbrahamוַיֹּאמַרvay/yo/MARand saidהִנֵּה־נָאhin/NE-nabehold nowהוֹאַלְתִּיho/AL/tiI have taken upon meלְדַבֵּרle/dab/BERto speakאֶל־אֲדֹנָיel-a/do/NAYto the Lordוְאָנֹכִיve/a/no/KHIwho amעָפָרa/FARdustוָאֵפֶר׃va/E/ferand ashes

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

28. 28

    אוּלַיu/LAYperhapsיַחְסְרוּןyach/se/RUNshall lackחֲמִשִּׁיםcha/mish/SHIMfiftyהַצַּדִּיקִםhats/tsad/di/KIMthe righteousחֲמִשָּׁהcha/mish/SHAfiveהֲתַשְׁחִיתha/tash/CHITwill You destroyבַּחֲמִשָּׁהba/cha/mish/SHAfor fiveאֶת־כׇּל־הָעִירet-kol-ha/IRall the cityוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלֹאlonotאַשְׁחִיתash/CHITwill I destroyאִם־אֶמְצָאim-em/TSAif I findשָׁםshamthereאַרְבָּעִיםar/ba/IMfortyוַחֲמִשָּׁה׃va/cha/mish/SHAand five

    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. 29

    וַיֹּסֶףvay/YO/sefand addedעוֹדodyetלְדַבֵּרle/dab/BERto speakאֵלָיוe/LAYVto himוַיֹּאמַרvay/yo/MARand saidאוּלַיu/LAYperhapsיִמָּצְאוּןyim/ma/tse/UNshall be foundשָׁםshamthereאַרְבָּעִיםar/ba/IMfortyוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלֹאlonotאֶעֱשֶׂהe/e/SEwill I do itבַּעֲבוּרba/a/VURfor the sake ofהָאַרְבָּעִים׃ha/ar/ba/IMthe forty

    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. 30

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאַל־נָאal-nalet not I prayיִחַרYI/charbe angryלַאדֹנָיla/do/NAYthe Lordוַאֲדַבֵּרָהva/a/dab/BE/raand I will speakאוּלַיu/LAYperhapsיִמָּצְאוּןyim/ma/tse/UNshall be foundשָׁםshamthereשְׁלֹשִׁיםshe/lo/SHIMthirtyוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלֹאlonotאֶעֱשֶׂהe/e/SEwill I do itאִם־אֶמְצָאim-em/TSAif I findשָׁםshamthereשְׁלֹשִׁים׃she/lo/SHIMthirty

    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.

31. 31

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidהִנֵּה־נָאhin/NE-nabehold nowהוֹאַלְתִּיho/AL/tiI have taken upon meלְדַבֵּרle/dab/BERto speakאֶל־אֲדֹנָיel-a/do/NAYto the Lordאוּלַיu/LAYperhapsיִמָּצְאוּןyim/ma/tse/UNshall be foundשָׁםshamthereעֶשְׂרִיםes/RIMtwentyוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלֹאlonotאַשְׁחִיתash/CHITwill I destroyבַּעֲבוּרba/a/VURfor the sake ofהָעֶשְׂרִים׃ha/es/RIMthe twenty

    And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.

32. 32

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאַל־נָאal-nalet not I prayיִחַרYI/charbe angryלַאדֹנָיla/do/NAYthe Lordוַאֲדַבְּרָהva/a/dab/be/RAand I will speakאַךְ־הַפַּעַםakh-hap/PA/amyet but this onceאוּלַיu/LAYperhapsיִמָּצְאוּןyim/ma/tse/UNshall be foundשָׁםshamthereעֲשָׂרָהa/sa/RAtenוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלֹאlonotאַשְׁחִיתash/CHITwill I destroyבַּעֲבוּרba/a/VURfor the sake ofהָעֲשָׂרָה׃ha/a/sa/RAthe ten

    And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

33. 33

    וַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERwhenכִּלָּהkil/LAHe had finishedלְדַבֵּרle/dab/BERspeakingאֶל־אַבְרָהָםel-Av/ra/HAMto Abrahamוְאַבְרָהָםve/Av/ra/HAMand Abrahamשָׁבshavreturnedלִמְקֹמוֹ׃lim/ko/MOto his place

    And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.