Bible Strands
Genesis 18:6
So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Abraham speaks to Sarah immediately after entering her tent, responding to the visitors' request for refreshment in the preceding verse. He commands her to prepare a meal while the guests wait.
The words — וַ/יְמַהֵ֧ר (va/y.ma.Her) translates literally as "he hurried," and מַהֲרִ֞י (ma.ha.Ri) means "bring quickly," both stressing speed. שְׁלֹ֤שׁ (she.Losh) literally denotes the number "three" for the measured flour.
The thread — The specific quantity of three flour measures reappears in Matthew 13:33 regarding leaven mixed into dough. The directive to serve guests directly parallels the hospitality command in Romans 12:13.
Why it lands — The text records Abraham's immediate obedience to a hospitality command rather than a delayed ritual. It requires the reader to prioritize urgent, practical service to others over personal convenience.
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 hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
Cross-references
- Matthew 13:33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”
- Romans 12:13 Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
- Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
- Isaiah 32:8 But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.
- Luke 10:38 As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
- Acts 16:15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
- Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
- 1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining.