The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
English Standard Version (ESV)
God here poses a question to Himself: "Shall I hide...?" This isn't a genuine question seeking information, but rather a rhetorical flourish that emphasizes His intention not to hide anything from Abraham. It reveals God's deep respect for Abraham's friendship and His desire to share His plans with those who walk closely with Him.
The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the Lord, appearing as a man, and two angelic companions finish a meal with Abraham and Sarah, the two companions depart towards Sodom. The Lord remains with Abraham and asks if he should conceal his impending judgment of the wicked cities from his friend, implying that Abraham's close relationship with God grants him special insight into divine plans. This conversation sets the stage for Abraham's powerful intercession on behalf of the righteous, if any could be found, within those doomed cities.
Why would God ask Himself if He should hide something from Abraham? It wasn't a real question, but a declaration of a deep, committed friendship.
This question, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" is God's rhetorical way of saying, "Of course not! Abraham is my friend."
A Covenant Relationship
God had already established a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and a special relationship. This wasn't just a casual acquaintance; it was a deep, binding agreement. True friendship, especially a covenant friendship like this, thrives on openness and shared knowledge.
The Privilege of Knowing
God was about to enact judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. He could have simply carried out His plans without informing Abraham. But because of their unique relationship, God chose to reveal His intentions. This reveals a beautiful truth: God desires to share His plans and purposes with those who fear Him and are in covenant with Him.
Before enacting severe judgment, God gives Abraham a heads-up. Why? It wasn't about God needing counsel, but about His character and Abraham's role.
God's decision to inform Abraham about the impending destruction of Sodom wasn't because He was unsure of His plan or needed Abraham's advice. Instead, it served several crucial purposes:
Demonstrating Divine Justice
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God is not a capricious judge. He is just and righteous. By explaining His actions, even to a friend like Abraham, God demonstrates that His judgments are deliberate and based on clear reasons – in this case, the overwhelming sin of Sodom.
Honoring Abraham's Role
Abraham was destined to become a great nation, through whom all nations would be blessed. God was giving Abraham insight into His ways, preparing him and his future descendants to understand divine justice and mercy. Furthermore, Abraham's subsequent intercession would highlight God's mercy and Abraham's commitment to righteousness.
Preparing for Intercession
This revelation wasn't just for Abraham's information; it was a setup for intercession. God knew Abraham would plead for the innocent, demonstrating the value God places on righteousness even within wicked cities. This foreshadows the broader theme of God hearing the prayers of the faithful.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
A common title for the divine being, representing the personal name of the God of Israel. It denotes His self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and absolute authority over creation.
This passage unfolds during a pivotal moment in Abraham's life, following the reaffirmation of God's promise of an heir and preceding the dramatic judgment of Sodom. God's decision to confide in Abraham highlights the deep relationship built on faith and obedience, setting the stage for Abraham's role as an intercessor.
c. 2000 BC
Abraham's Call and Covenant
God calls Abram (later Abraham) from Ur and establishes a covenant with him, promising him descendants and a land. This marks the beginning of God's special relationship with Abraham and his lineage.
c. 1850 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Abraham's first son, Ishmael, is born to Sarah's handmaid Hagar. This event highlights Abraham and Sarah's impatience with God's timing regarding the promised heir.
c. 1840 BC
Covenant Reaffirmed, Isaac Promised
God appears to Abraham, reaffirms his covenant, changes his name to Abraham, and promises him a son, Isaac, with Sarah, despite their advanced age. This promise is the immediate context for the narrative.
c. 1840 BC
The Lord Visits Abraham
Three visitors appear to Abraham, one of whom is identified as the LORD. Abraham shows extraordinary hospitality, and the LORD reiterates the promise of Isaac's birth to Sarah.
c. 1840 BC— this verse
The LORD Confides in Abraham
As two of the visitors depart for Sodom, the LORD speaks to Abraham, revealing his intention to judge the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. This is the specific moment of Genesis 18:17.
c. 1840 BC
Abraham Intercedes for Sodom
Abraham engages in a profound negotiation with the LORD, pleading for Sodom and seeking to know if righteous people within the cities would spare them from destruction.
c. 1840 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
The LORD executes judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, destroying them due to their extreme wickedness, while Lot and his daughters are rescued.
This verse echoes the sentiment of Genesis 18:17, stating that the Lord 'does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets,' highlighting God's practice of confiding in those close to Him.
John 15:15Jesus tells His disciples, 'No longer do I call you servants, but friends; for the friend knows his master's secrets.' This passage draws a parallel to God treating Abraham as a friend, sharing His intentions, rather than merely a servant kept in ignorance.
Exodus 33:11This verse describes Moses speaking with the Lord 'face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.' It shows another instance where God intimately communed with a faithful servant, similar to His interaction with Abraham.
Isaiah 41:8This passage calls Abraham 'my friend,' reinforcing the deep relationship God had with him and providing a theological basis for why the Lord would share His plans with Abraham.
calvinGenesis 18:1-33: "And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;"
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Et negavit Sarah, dicendo, Non risi: quia timuit. Et dixit, Nequaquam, quia risisti.
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
Et surrexerunt inde viri, et respexerunt contra faciem S…
clarkeGenesis 18:17: "And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;"
Shall I hide from Abraham - That is, I will not hide. A common mode of speech in Scripture - a question asked when an affirmative is designed. Do men gather grapes of thorns? Men do not gather grapes of thorns, etc.
God here poses a question to Himself: "Shall I hide...?" This isn't a genuine question seeking information, but rather a rhetorical flourish that emphasizes His intention not to hide anything from Abraham. It reveals God's deep respect for Abraham's friendship and His desire to share His plans with those who walk closely with Him.
After the Lord, appearing as a man, and two angelic companions finish a meal with Abraham and Sarah, the two companions depart towards Sodom. The Lord remains with Abraham and asks if he should conceal his impending judgment of the wicked cities from his friend, implying that Abraham's close relationship with God grants him special insight into divine plans. This conversation sets the stage for Abraham's powerful intercession on behalf of the righteous, if any could be found, within those doomed cities.
After the Lord, appearing as a man, and two angelic companions finish a meal with Abraham and Sarah, the two companions depart towards Sodom. The Lord remains with Abraham and asks if he should conceal his impending judgment of the wicked cities from his friend, implying that Abraham's close relationship with God grants him special insight into divine plans. This conversation sets the stage for Abraham's powerful intercession on behalf of the righteous, if any could be found, within those doomed cities.
"The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do," — God here poses a question to Himself: "Shall I hide...?" This isn't a genuine question seeking information, but rather a rhetorical flourish that emphasizes His intention not to hide anything from…
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Last reviewed October 2026