The Meaning of Genesis 18:1 Explained

Genesis 18:1

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

YLT: And Jehovah appeareth unto him among the oaks of Mamre, and he is sitting at the opening of the tent, about the heat of the day;

Darby: And Jehovah appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre. And he sat at the tent-door in the heat of the day.

ASV: And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Genesis 18:1 Mean?

Study Notes

tent
Cf. Genesis 19:1 . For significance of Abraham's tent, Hebrews 11:9 ; Hebrews 11:10 .

Verse Meaning

Abraham was living near Hebron at this time (cf. Genesis 13:18).

Context Summary

Genesis 18:1-15 - Abraham Entertains Heavenly Visitors
The Son of God is the central figure here. He loves the homes of men. It has ever been His wont to visit the homes and hearts of those who love him. See Proverbs 8:31. Abraham knew well that the High and Lofty One, who inhabits eternity, had come to dwell with him. Others might see only three men, but he recognized his divine friend, addressing Him as "My Lord;" and when the two angels went forward alone to do their awful work in Sodom, he entered into close converse with the wondrous central figure, who remained with him still. He gave personal service, and so did Sarah. They gave their very best, fine, tender, and good. And in their love the Lord found satisfaction and rest. But remember that He still stands at the door and knocks. Ponder John 14:23; Revelation 3:20. Christ tells His secrets to those He loves. His proposals and promises are so great that we can almost laugh with incredulity, but the question of Genesis 18:14 is answered by Jeremiah 32:17. Reckon on God's faithfulness; He cannot fail those who trust Him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 18

1  The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels
9  Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son
16  The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham
23  Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants

What do the individual words in Genesis 18:1 mean?

And appeared to him Yahweh by the oaks of Mamre and as he was sitting in door to his tent in the heat of the day
וַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב פֶּֽתַח־ הָאֹ֖הֶל כְּחֹ֥ם הַיּֽוֹם

וַיֵּרָ֤א  And  appeared 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
אֵלָיו֙  to  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
יְהוָ֔ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י  by  the  oaks 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: אֵלֹון  
Sense: tree, great tree, terebinth.
מַמְרֵ֑א  of  Mamre 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מַמְרֵא 
Sense: an Amorite who allied himself with Abram.
וְה֛וּא  and  as  he 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, third person masculine singular
Root: הוּא 
Sense: he, she, it.
יֹשֵׁ֥ב  was  sitting 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
פֶּֽתַח־  in  door 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פֶּתַח  
Sense: opening, doorway, entrance.
הָאֹ֖הֶל  to  his  tent 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
כְּחֹ֥ם  in  the  heat 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֹם  
Sense: heat, hot.
הַיּֽוֹם  of  the  day 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.