Genesis 18:17
New International Version
Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?

New Living Translation
“Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the LORD asked.

English Standard Version
The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

Berean Standard Bible
And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?

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

New King James Version
And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing,

New American Standard Bible
The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

NASB 1995
The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

NASB 1977
And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Yahweh said, “Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am about to do,

Amplified Bible
The LORD said, “Shall I keep secret from Abraham [My friend and servant] what I am going to do,

Christian Standard Bible
Then the LORD said, “Should I hide what I am about to do from Abraham?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the LORD said, “Should I hide what I am about to do from Abraham?

American Standard Version
And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do;

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said to himself, "I should tell Abraham what I am going to do,

English Revised Version
And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD said, "I shouldn't hide what I am going to do from Abraham.

Good News Translation
And the LORD said to himself, "I will not hide from Abraham what I am going to do.

International Standard Version
"Should I hide from Abraham what I'm about to do," the LORD asked,

Majority Standard Bible
And the LORD said, ?Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?

NET Bible
Then the LORD said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?

New Heart English Bible
And God said, "Will I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

World English Bible
Yahweh said, “Will I hide from Abraham what I do,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and YHWH said, “Am I concealing from Abraham that which I am doing,

Young's Literal Translation
and Jehovah said, 'Am I concealing from Abraham that which I am doing,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I do?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said: Can I hide from Abraham what I am about to do:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord said: “How could I hide what I am about to do from Abraham,

New American Bible
The LORD considered: Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said, Shall I hide from my servant Abraham the thing which I am going to do,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said: “Will I hide from my Servant Abraham the thing that I do;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD said: 'Shall I hide from Abraham that which I am doing;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraam my servant what things I intend to do?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abraham Begs for Sodom
16When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them off. 17And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.…

Cross References
Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

Psalm 25:14
The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.

John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

James 2:23
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

Isaiah 41:8
“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—

Galatians 3:8
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

Romans 4:13
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Hebrews 11:8-10
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

2 Chronicles 20:7
Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?

Exodus 33:11
Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.

John 16:12-15
I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. / However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. / He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you. ...

Ephesians 3:3-5
that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. / In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, / which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” / But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Matthew 13:11
He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Luke 10:21-24
At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. / All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” / Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ...


Treasury of Scripture

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

2 Kings 4:27
And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

2 Chronicles 20:7
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

Psalm 25:14
The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Jump to Previous
Abraham Hide
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Abraham Hide
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.














And the LORD said
This phrase indicates a direct communication from God, emphasizing His personal involvement in the events that follow. In the context of Genesis, God often speaks directly to the patriarchs, establishing a covenantal relationship. This reflects the intimate relationship between God and Abraham, highlighting Abraham's role as a prophet (Genesis 20:7) and a friend of God (James 2:23).

Shall I hide from Abraham
Here, God deliberates whether to reveal His plans to Abraham, underscoring Abraham's unique position as a covenant partner. This reflects the biblical theme of God sharing His plans with His chosen servants (Amos 3:7). It also foreshadows the role of prophets who are privy to divine counsel. The rhetorical question suggests God's intention to involve Abraham in His redemptive plan.

what I am about to do?
This refers to God's impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, which is a significant event in biblical history. The destruction of these cities serves as a warning against sin and a demonstration of divine justice. It also prefigures the final judgment, drawing parallels to eschatological themes found in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:6, Jude 1:7). The phrase highlights God's sovereignty and His moral governance over the world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is about to reveal His plans to Abraham. This reflects His relational nature and His desire to involve His chosen people in His divine purposes.

2. Abraham
The patriarch of the Israelite nation, chosen by God to be the father of many nations. His relationship with God is characterized by faith and obedience, and he is considered a friend of God.

3. Sodom and Gomorrah
The cities that are the focus of God's impending judgment due to their grievous sin. This event highlights God's justice and mercy.

4. The Three Visitors
Earlier in Genesis 18, three men visit Abraham, one of whom is identified as the LORD. This theophany (appearance of God) sets the stage for the revelation of God's plans.

5. The Covenant
The broader context of God's covenant with Abraham, which includes promises of land, descendants, and blessing to all nations through him.
Teaching Points
God's Relational Nature
God desires a personal relationship with His people, characterized by communication and trust. Just as He shared His plans with Abraham, He invites us into a relationship where we can know His will through His Word and Spirit.

The Importance of Intercession
Abraham's subsequent intercession for Sodom demonstrates the power and responsibility of intercessory prayer. Believers are called to pray for others, standing in the gap for those who are far from God.

God's Justice and Mercy
The impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah highlights God's justice, but His willingness to reveal His plans to Abraham shows His mercy. We must balance our understanding of God's justice with His mercy in our lives and witness.

Covenant Relationship
Being in a covenant relationship with God, like Abraham, means being part of His redemptive plan. We are called to live in obedience and faith, trusting in His promises.

Revelation and Responsibility
With revelation comes responsibility. As God reveals His will to us, we are called to respond in faith and action, aligning our lives with His purposes.Verse 17. - And the Lord said (to himself), Shall I hide from Abraham - the LXX. interpolate, τοῦ παιδός μου; but, as Philo observes, τοῦ φιλοῦ μου would have been a more appropriate designation for the patriarch (cf. 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23) that thing which I do. I.e. propose to do, the present being used for the future, where, as m the utterances of God, whose will is equivalent to his deed, the action is regarded by the Speaker as being already as good as finished (vide Ewald, 'Hebrews Synt.,' § 135; Gesenius, § 126).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the LORD
וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said,
אָמָ֑ר (’ā·mār)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Shall I
אֲנִי֙ (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

hide
הַֽמְכַסֶּ֤ה (ham·ḵas·seh)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

from Abraham
מֵֽאַבְרָהָ֔ם (mê·’aḇ·rā·hām)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

what
אֲשֶׁ֖ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I
אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am about to do?
עֹשֶֽׂה׃ (‘ō·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make


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OT Law: Genesis 18:17 Yahweh said Will I hide from Abraham (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 18:16
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