Bible Strands
Genesis 18:1
Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text states the LORD appeared to Abraham while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent near the Oaks of Mamre during the heat of the day. This event occurs immediately before Abraham looks up and sees three men standing nearby.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיֵּרָא (va.ye.ra') literally means "he appeared," denoting a visible divine manifestation. The phrase בְּאֵלֹנֵי מַמְרֵא (be.'e.lo.nei mam.re') specifies the location as the terebinth trees of Mamre.
The thread — Abraham’s camp at the Oaks of Mamre is established in Genesis 13:18 and Genesis 14:13. Similar localized theophanies appear in Genesis 48:3 at Luz.
Why it lands — The verse records a divine approach during a moment of passive rest, requiring the reader to note God’s initiative before human response. It sets the immediate expectation that the sitting posture will be interrupted by the arrival of the three men.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
Cross-references
- Genesis 14:13 Then an escapee came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the Oaks of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were bound by treaty to Abram.
- Genesis 13:18 So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the Oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.
- Genesis 48:3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there He blessed me
- Genesis 17:22 When He had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.
- Genesis 26:2 The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt. Settle in the land where I tell you.
- Acts 7:2 And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,
- 2 Chronicles 1:7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”
- Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.
- Genesis 12:7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
- Genesis 15:1 After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”