Genesis 18:26
“Yahweh said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake.””
What does Genesis 18:26 mean?
Abraham has just been told that God plans to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness, and he's negotiating on behalf of the cities. In this moment, God graciously agrees that if there are fifty righteous people in Sodom, the entire city will be spared for their sake. What follows is one of Scripture's most tender exchanges, where Abraham keeps asking God to lower the number (forty-five, then forty, then thirty, and so on), and God keeps saying yes. This tells us something beautiful about how God values righteousness and is willing to show mercy when goodness is present. It also reveals Abraham's character, his willingness to advocate for others, and God's patience and willingness to listen to our prayers, even when we approach him with questions or uncertainty.