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Genesis 18:29 - Abraham bargains for Sodom

Genesis 18:29 - בראשית 18:29

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּסֶף עוֹד לְדַבֵּר אֵלָיו וַיֹּאמַר אוּלַי יִמָּצְאוּן שָׁם אַרְבָּעִים וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא אֶעֱשֶׂה בַּעֲבוּר הָאַרְבָּעִים׃

English Translation

And he spoke to him yet again, and said, perhaps there shall be forty found there. And He said, I will not do it for the forty’s sake.

Transliteration

Vayosef od ledaber elav vayomar ulai yimatze'un sham arba'im vayomer lo e'ese ba'avur ha'arba'im

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨סֶף ע֜וֹד לְדַבֵּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם אַרְבָּעִ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה בַּעֲב֖וּר הָאַרְבָּעִֽים׃
וַיֹּ֨סֶף ע֜וֹד לְדַבֵּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם אַרְבָּעִ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה בַּעֲב֖וּר הָאַרְבָּעִֽים׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Genesis 18:29) is part of Avraham Avinu's dialogue with Hashem regarding the fate of Sodom and Amorah. Avraham continues his plea to spare the cities if a minimum number of righteous individuals can be found, reducing the number from fifty to forty.

Avraham's Negotiation Strategy

Rashi explains that Avraham intentionally lowered his request incrementally (from fifty to forty-five to forty, etc.) to avoid appearing presumptuous before Hashem. This demonstrates Avraham's humility and wisdom in prayer, as he sought to balance his concern for justice with proper reverence for the Divine.

The Significance of Forty

The number forty holds deep significance in Jewish thought:

  • The Maharal (Gur Aryeh) notes that forty represents a complete measure, as seen in the forty days of the flood, forty days Moshe spent on Har Sinai, and forty years in the wilderness.
  • Rabbeinu Bachya suggests that forty corresponds to the minimum number needed to establish a community that could influence others toward righteousness.

Divine Justice and Mercy

The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuva 3:1) derives from this episode that Hashem's judgment is precise and exacting. Even when Avraham appealed for mercy, Hashem maintained the standard of justice - the cities would only be spared if there were enough righteous people to justify it.

Avraham's Advocacy

The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 49:9) highlights how Avraham's actions model proper advocacy for others. Despite knowing the wickedness of Sodom, he sought any possible merit to save them, teaching the importance of seeking the good in all people.

Linguistic Analysis

The Malbim notes the change in phrasing from earlier verses - here Avraham says "perhaps there shall be forty found there" rather than "if there are forty." This reflects Avraham's growing realization of how few righteous people might exist in these cities.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Genesis 18:29?
A: In Genesis 18:29, Abraham is pleading with Hashem to spare the city of Sodom if there are at least forty righteous people found there. This is part of a larger dialogue where Abraham negotiates with Hashem, showing his compassion and desire for justice.
Q: Why does Abraham stop at forty in his plea?
A: Abraham starts by asking if Hashem would spare Sodom for fifty righteous people and gradually lowers the number to forty (and eventually ten). Rashi explains that Abraham was testing the limits of divine mercy, hoping to find any merit to save the city, even if the number of righteous people was small.
Q: What can we learn from Abraham's negotiation with Hashem?
A: Abraham teaches us the importance of advocating for others (even sinners) and seeking mercy. The Talmud (Berachot 10a) praises his boldness in prayer, showing that we should approach Hashem with sincerity and persistence when pleading for justice or compassion.
Q: Why did Hashem say 'I will not do it for the forty’s sake'?
A: Hashem’s response indicates that even forty righteous people were not found in Sodom. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 49:6) explains that Sodom was so corrupt that there weren’t even ten righteous individuals (the final number Abraham asked for), leading to its eventual destruction.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: This verse reminds us of the power of prayer, the importance of interceding for others, and the need for righteousness in society. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 3:4) teaches that a single righteous person can bring merit to an entire generation, emphasizing our responsibility to uphold justice and goodness.