Genesis 18:30

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

נָ֞א

H4994

unto him Oh

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

יִ֤חַר

H2734

be angry

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

לַֽאדֹנָי֙

H136

let not the Lord

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

וַֽאֲדַבֵּ֔רָה

H1696

and I will speak

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אוּלַ֛י

H194

if not; hence perhaps

אֶמְצָ֥א

H4672

be found

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

שָׁ֖ם

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#10

שְׁלֹשִֽׁים׃

H7970

Peradventure there shall thirty

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

#11

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

#12

לֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#13

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה

H6213

I will not do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#14

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#15

אֶמְצָ֥א

H4672

be found

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

#16

שָׁ֖ם

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

#17

שְׁלֹשִֽׁים׃

H7970

Peradventure there shall thirty

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The historical context of the patriarchal period (c. 2000-1500 BCE) and primeval history provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The ancient Near Eastern world with its creation myths, flood narratives, and patriarchal social structures provided the cultural backdrop against which God's revelation stands in stark contrast. The ancient Near Eastern cosmology and patriarchal society would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Ancient Near Eastern creation texts like Enuma Elish provide comparative context for understanding Genesis's unique theological perspective.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of creation and providence, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
What practical applications emerge from understanding creation and providence as presented in this verse, particularly in light of contemporary challenges facing the church and individual believers?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources

Biblical Timeline