The Meaning of Genesis 18:17 Explained

Genesis 18:17

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

YLT: and Jehovah said, 'Am I concealing from Abraham that which I am doing,

Darby: And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?

ASV: And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Genesis 18:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 18:16-33 - Abraham Pleads For Sodom
Christ had visited Abraham's tent, but He did more. He trusted him with His secrets, and led him almost unconsciously to a degree of faith and prayer that was far beyond what he had hitherto attained. Abraham seemed to be driving the Blessed One from point to point, but as a matter of fact, he was being drawn forward. It was so with the woman of Syrophenicia. God's love and willingness to bless far exceeded Abraham's faith, and when he had gone as far as he dared the divine love went farther and saved Lot from the overthrow. We can never go into the realms of love and compassion, without finding the footsteps of the Redeemer. See Hebrews 10:22. Amid all the mysteries of God's moral government we must always believe that He is just and righteous. His throne is encircled by the rainbow, but it is founded in unimpeachable integrity. How low Abraham lay in his self-estimate! They who know most of God do not presume on their knowledge, but esteem themselves the least of saints. [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 18:17 mean?

And Yahweh said shall hide I from Abraham what I am doing
וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אָמָ֑ר הַֽמְכַסֶּ֤ה אֲנִי֙ מֵֽאַבְרָהָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֲנִ֥י ؟ עֹשֶֽׂה

וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה  And  Yahweh 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אָמָ֑ר  said 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
הַֽמְכַסֶּ֤ה  shall  hide 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: כָּסָה  
Sense: to cover, conceal, hide.
מֵֽאַבְרָהָ֔ם  from  Abraham 
Parse: Preposition-m, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָהָם  
Sense: friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant.
؟ עֹשֶֽׂה  am  doing 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.