Bible Strands
Genesis 18:7
Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd, selected a tender and choice calf, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative shifts from Abraham’s instruction to Sarah in Genesis 18:6 to his immediate physical response. He moves from the tent to the herd, selects a calf, and delegates its preparation to a servant.
The words — The Hebrew verb רָץ (ratz) means "he ran," explicitly describing Abraham’s swift movement. The adjective רַךְ (rakh) translates as "tender," modifying the calf he took from the herd.
The thread — Similar hospitality preparations appear in Judges 13:15 where Manoah offers a young goat to an angel, and in Genesis 19:3 where Lot prepares a feast for his visitors. Amos 6:4 later references calves from the herd as markers of elite consumption.
Why it lands — The text records Abraham securing a tender calf and handing it to a servant for immediate preparation. It places the burden of practical hospitality on the reader without prescribing a theological application.
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 ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
Cross-references
- Judges 13:15 “Please stay here,” Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “and we will prepare a young goat for you.”
- Genesis 19:3 But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
- Amos 6:4 You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall.
- Malachi 1:14 “But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.
- Matthew 22:4 Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
- Luke 15:23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
- Luke 15:27 ‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’
- Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’