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Genesis 18:30 - Abraham bargains for Sodom

Genesis 18:30 - בראשית 18:30

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אַל־נָא יִחַר לַאדֹנָי וַאֲדַבֵּרָה אוּלַי יִמָּצְאוּן שָׁם שְׁלֹשִׁים וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא אֶעֱשֶׂה אִם־אֶמְצָא שָׁם שְׁלֹשִׁים׃

English Translation

And he said to him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: perhaps there shall thirty be found there. And He said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

Transliteration

Va'yomer al-na yichar la'Adonai va'adabera ulai yimatze'un sham shloshim va'yomer lo e'ese im-emtza sham shloshim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַ֠יֹּ֠אמֶר אַל־נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ וַאֲדַבֵּ֔רָה אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה אִם־אֶמְצָ֥א שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִֽׁים׃
וַ֠יֹּ֠אמֶר אַל־נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ וַאֲדַבֵּ֔רָה אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה אִם־אֶמְצָ֥א שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִֽׁים׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereishit 18:30) is part of Avraham Avinu's dialogue with Hashem regarding the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. Avraham, demonstrating his characteristic compassion and concern for justice, pleads with Hashem to spare the cities if a minimum number of righteous individuals can be found.

Avraham's Negotiation Tactics

Rashi explains that Avraham intentionally reduces his request incrementally—from fifty righteous individuals down to ten—to avoid angering Hashem with excessive demands. The phrase "אַל־נָא יִחַר לַאדֹנָי" ("Oh let not the Lord be angry") reflects Avraham's humility and awareness of his position as a human speaking before the Divine. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 49:9) highlights Avraham's wisdom in framing his requests cautiously, ensuring his pleas are received with favor.

The Significance of Thirty

The number שְׁלֹשִׁים ("thirty") is seen by some commentators as a strategic midpoint in Avraham's negotiation. The Ramban suggests that Avraham chose this number based on his understanding of societal dynamics—thirty righteous individuals might be enough to influence the entire city toward repentance. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108a) discusses how even a small group of righteous people can serve as a protective merit for a larger community.

Hashem's Response

Hashem's reply, "לֹא אֶעֱשֶׂה אִם־אֶמְצָא שָׁם שְׁלֹשִׁים" ("I will not do it, if I find thirty there"), demonstrates Divine mercy and willingness to relent for the sake of the righteous. The Sforno notes that Hashem's patience with Avraham's bargaining reflects His desire for humanity to seek justice and righteousness, even in the face of impending judgment.

Lessons in Prayer and Advocacy

  • Humility in Prayer: Avraham models how to approach Hashem with reverence, acknowledging human limitations while advocating for others.
  • Gradual Requests: His step-by-step approach teaches the importance of measured and thoughtful supplication.
  • The Power of the Righteous: The dialogue underscores the concept of זכות אבות (merit of the righteous) and their role in sustaining the world.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 60b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the merit of righteous individuals and how their presence can influence divine judgment.
📖 Sanhedrin 108b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the story of Abraham's plea for Sodom and the concept of divine justice and mercy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Genesis 18:30?
A: In Genesis 18:30, Avraham (Abraham) is pleading with Hashem to spare the city of Sodom if even 30 righteous people can be found there. This is part of a negotiation where Avraham asks Hashem to show mercy, starting from 50 righteous people and gradually lowering the number.
Q: Why did Avraham stop at 10 people in his negotiation with Hashem?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash, Avraham stopped at 10 because he understood that if there weren't even 10 righteous people (a minyan for prayer), the city wasn't worth saving. This teaches us about the importance of community and the minimum required for spiritual merit.
Q: What can we learn from Avraham's negotiation in this verse?
A: We learn several important lessons: 1) The power of prayer and pleading for mercy (as taught by Rambam), 2) The importance of advocating for others (as Avraham did for Sodom), and 3) How to approach Hashem with humility ('let not the Lord be angry' shows proper reverence).
Q: Why does the verse say 'let not the Lord be angry'?
A: Avraham says this out of profound humility and respect when speaking to Hashem. The Talmud (Berachos 7a) explains that even when we have permission to make requests, we must approach Hashem with the proper awe and reverence, as Avraham demonstrated here.
Q: How does this verse about Sodom apply to us today?
A: This teaches us: 1) We should care about all people, even sinners (as Avraham did), 2) The righteous can protect others through their merit (as per the Talmud in Sukkah 45b), and 3) We should never stop trying to save people from destruction, following Avraham's example of persistent prayer.