Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
Genesis 18:17 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 17. 17And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
The LORD asks whether the coming action should be hidden from Abraham. The question begins a divine deliberation whose reasons are Abraham's worldwide blessing vocation and responsibility to teach righteousness and justice.
Chosen to teach justice, then asked to watch it
This verse is one part of that explanation in Genesis 18:16–33. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- Genesis 18:16–33
Read verses 17–21. Verses 18–19 explain why Abraham is included; verses 20–21 state the outcry and the investigative response he is allowed to hear.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The LORD's deliberation opens the question of why Abraham should be included in the coming justice case.
Read Genesis 18:16–19 together
Why these verses belong together: Departure, disclosure, worldwide blessing, and household righteousness-and-justice vocation form one transition.
Verse 16. 16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
Verse 17. 17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
Verse 18. 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
Verse 19. 19 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.
Follow the Context
- The men rise, look toward Sodom, and leave with Abraham accompanying them (18:16).
- The LORD deliberates about disclosing the plan because Abraham will become a great nation, bless the nations, and teach his household righteousness and justice (18:17–19).
- The LORD names Sodom and Gomorrah's great outcry and grave sin and resolves to go down, see, and know whether the accusation is confirmed (18:20–21).
- The men go toward Sodom while Abraham remains before the LORD, draws near, and asks whether righteous and wicked will be swept away together (18:22–23).
- Abraham first asks whether fifty righteous people can preserve the whole place and appeals to the justice of the Judge of all the earth; the LORD agrees (18:24–26).
- Calling himself dust and ashes, Abraham continues through forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty, and ten; the LORD agrees each time, then ends the conversation and Abraham returns home (18:27–33).
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“Shall I hide from Abraham”
In plain language: The LORD deliberates about withholding or disclosing the plan.
The reasons for disclosure follow in verses 18–19.
Why it matters: Abraham's knowledge is tied to vocation, not privileged entertainment.
How certain? very strongWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
The question does not mean that God needed Abraham's permission to investigate Sodom.
The verse does not turn confidential knowledge into a license for gossip or public accusation.
What Remains True
Divine disclosure serves formation and responsibility, not curiosity alone.
How It Can Shape Life
- When entrusted with serious information, ask what just and faithful responsibility accompanies knowing it.
Teach It Back
Explain Genesis 18:17's contribution to Genesis 18:16–33. Include why the nearby verses are required, what the verse clearly says, and one conclusion it does not justify.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read Genesis 18:16–33 — Abraham Pleads for Righteous JudgmentSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
Where care is needed
The text explains why Abraham is a fitting recipient but does not state one exhaustive purpose for the disclosure.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Displayed wording, unit movement, vocation, outcry, investigation, intercession, numbers, and canonical links.
Exact location: Genesis 18:16–33 in the pinned eng-kjv2006 source; compared with Genesis 13:10–13; 14:1–24; 19:1–29; 20:7; Exodus 32:7–14; Jeremiah 15:1
Open source ↗hebrew text morphology and lemma data
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible — Genesis
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible Project
Open Scriptures, Version 2.2 released 2021; repository inspected 2026
Supports: Yada, purpose clauses, righteousness and justice, outcry, cohortative investigation sequence, standing, sweep away, spare, far-be-it, Judge, dust and ashes, conditional proposals, and closure.
Exact location: Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible, wlc/Gen.xml, Genesis 18:16–33
Open source ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — Genesis with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, Digital edition accessed 2026
Supports: Know/choose, syntax, outcry, investigation wording, spare, rhetorical force, and translation alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible, Genesis 18:16–33 and translator notes, especially verses 17, 19, 20–25, 27, and 32
Open NET Genesis 18 ↗open access masters thesis literary Hebrew and comparative study
Characterization in the Triangle of Intercession: A Literary and Theological Study of Genesis 18:16–33
Peter Tin Yan Chu
Tyndale Seminary, 2008
Supports: Translation and syntax, literary form, yada, outcry, investigation, verse 22 tradition, six dialogue rounds, justice, intercession, and the unexplained stopping point at ten.
Exact location: Characterization in the Triangle of Intercession, especially pp. 69–78, 127–166, 203–212, and conclusion
Open source ↗peer reviewed open access reception history study
The Compassionate God of Traditional Jewish and Christian Exegesis
Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer
Tyndale Bulletin 58.2, 2007
Supports: Traditional Jewish and Christian readings of disclosure, repentance, intercession, verse 22, justice and mercy, and why Abraham stops.
Exact location: Tyndale Bulletin 58.2, pp. 196–202
Open source ↗