Bible Strands
Genesis 18:4
Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abraham addresses three visitors at the tent entrance, asking them not to pass by. He instructs a servant to bring water so the guests may wash their feet and rest under a tree.
The words — The imperative יֻקַּֽח (yu.kach) means "let it be brought," modified by מְעַט (me.'at), "a little," and מַיִם (mayim), "water." The verb רַחֲצוּ (ra.chatzu) commands "wash" specifically applied to רַגְלֵיכֶם (raglei.khem), "your feet."
The thread — The same hospitality sequence appears when visitors are told to wash their feet in Genesis 19:2, when water is supplied for feet but not for camels in Genesis 24:32, and when Joseph’s steward provides water to wash feet in Genesis 43:24.
Why it lands — The text prescribes immediate, physical care as the proper response to unexpected guests. It requires the reader to prioritize practical service over prolonged ceremony.
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
Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
Cross-references
- Genesis 19:2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”
- Genesis 24:32 So the man came to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were brought to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of his companions.
- Genesis 43:24 And the steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet, and provided food for their donkeys.
- Luke 7:44 And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
- 1 Samuel 25:41 She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”
- John 13:5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him.
- 1 Timothy 5:10 and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.