Bible Strands
Genesis 18:23
Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Abraham stands before the Lord after the two visitors depart toward Sodom and initiates a negotiation about divine judgment.
The words — תִּסְפֶּה (tispeh) means "you will sweep away," and צַדִּיק (tsaddiq) means "the righteous," directly framing Abraham's question about collective punishment.
The thread — This pattern of questioning God's justice in corporate judgment appears in Numbers 16:22, 2 Samuel 24:17, and Genesis 20:4.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader to confront whether divine justice distinguishes between innocent and guilty parties before executing judgment.
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 Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Cross-references
- Numbers 16:22 But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”
- 2 Samuel 24:17 When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “Surely I, the shepherd, have sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house.”
- Genesis 20:4 Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he replied, “Lord, would You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?
- Genesis 18:25 Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
- Job 34:17 Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
- Psalms 11:4 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.
- Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms.
- Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
- Job 8:3 Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
- Psalms 73:28 But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.