Genesis 18:27

18:27 Then Abraham asked, “Since I have undertaken to speak to the Lord ¹  (although I am but dust and ashes), ² 

Genesis 18:30-32

18:30 Then Abraham ³  said, “May the Lord not be angry ⁴  so that I may speak! ⁵  What if thirty are found there?” He replied, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

18:31 Abraham ⁶  said, “Since I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty are found there?” He replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”

18:32 Finally Abraham ⁷  said, “May the Lord not be angry so that I may speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”

[18:27]  ¹ tn The Hebrew term translated “Lord” here and in vv. 30, 31, 32 is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).

[18:27]  ² tn The disjunctive clause is a concessive clause here, drawing out the humility as a contrast to the Lord.

[18:30]  ³ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Abraham) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[18:30]  ⁴ tn Heb “let it not be hot to the Lord.” This is an idiom which means “may the Lord not be angry.”

[18:30]  ⁵ tn After the jussive, the cohortative indicates purpose/result.

[18:31]  ⁶ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Abraham) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[18:32]  ⁷ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Abraham) has been specified in the translation for clarity.