Genesis 18:25 Far be it from You to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?"

◄ Genesis 18:25 ►

New International Version
Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

New Living Translation
Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

English Standard Version
Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”

Berean Standard Bible
Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

King James Bible
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

New King James Version
Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

New American Standard Bible
Far be it from You to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”

NASB 1995
“Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”

NASB 1977
“Far be it from Thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from Thee! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Far be it from You to do such a thing, to put to death the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do justice?”

Amplified Bible
Far be it from You to do such a thing—to strike the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right [by executing just and righteous judgment]?”

Christian Standard Bible
You could not possibly do such a thing: to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. You could not possibly do that! Won’t the Judge of the whole earth do what is just? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You could not possibly do such a thing: to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. You could not possibly do that! Won’t the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”

American Standard Version
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Contemporary English Version
You surely wouldn't let them be killed when you destroy the evil ones. You are the judge of all the earth, and you do what is right."

English Revised Version
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It would be unthinkable for you to do such a thing, to treat the innocent and the guilty alike and to kill the innocent with the guilty. That would be unthinkable! Won't the judge of the whole earth do what is fair?"

Good News Translation
Surely you won't kill the innocent with the guilty. That's impossible! You can't do that. If you did, the innocent would be punished along with the guilty. That is impossible. The judge of all the earth has to act justly."

International Standard Version
Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous along with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike! The Judge of all the earth will do what is right, won't he?"

Majority Standard Bible
Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

NET Bible
Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the godly with the wicked, treating the godly and the wicked alike! Far be it from you! Will not the judge of the whole earth do what is right?"

New Heart English Bible
Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn't the Judge of all the earth do right?"

Webster's Bible Translation
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

World English Bible
May it be far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn’t the Judge of all the earth do right?”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Far be it from You to do according to this thing, to put to death the righteous with the wicked; that it has been—as the righteous so the wicked—far be it from You; does the Judge of all the earth not do justice?”

Young's Literal Translation
Far be it from Thee to do according to this thing, to put to death the righteous with the wicked; that it hath been -- as the righteous so the wicked -- far be it from Thee; doth the Judge of all the earth not do justice?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Far be it with respect to thee doing as this word to kill the just with the wicked; and for the just to be as the wicked, far be it with respect to thee: shall not the judge of all the earth do judgment?

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Far be it from thee to do this thing, and to slay the just with the wicked, and for the just to be in like case as the wicked, this is not beseeming thee: thou who judgest all the earth, wilt not make this judgment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Far be it from you to do this thing, and to kill the just with the impious, and for the just to be treated like the impious. No, this is not like you. You judge all the earth; you would never make such a judgment.”

New American Bible
Far be it from you to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike! Far be it from you! Should not the judge of all the world do what is just?”

New Revised Standard Version
Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Far be it from thee to do such a thing as this, to slay the innocent with the guilty, far be it from thee, O thou Judge of the whole earth! Such a judgment should never be carried out.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Let it not be for you to make this response, that you would kill the innocent with the guilty! And will the innocent be as the guilty? May it not be for you, the Judge of all the Earth! This judgment should not be done!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from Thee; shall not the judge of all the earth do justly?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
By no means shalt thou do as this thing is so as to destroy the righteous with the wicked, so the righteous shall be as the wicked: by no means. Thou that judgest the whole earth, shalt thou not do right?

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Abraham Begs for Sodom
…24What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there? 25Far be it from You to do such a thing— to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” 26So the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous ones within the city of Sodom, on their account I will spare the whole place.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Romans 3:6
Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?

Psalm 58:11
Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”

Job 8:3
Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

Psalm 9:8
He judges the world with justice; He governs the people with equity.

2 Peter 2:9
if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

Psalm 96:13
before the LORD, for He is coming—He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.

Acts 17:31
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

Psalm 98:9
before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Isaiah 3:10-11
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.

2 Timothy 4:8
From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

Psalm 7:11
God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation each day.

Ecclesiastes 3:17
I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.”

Hebrews 12:23
in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Psalm 11:7
For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.

Treasury of Scripture

That be far from you to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from you: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

be far.

Jeremiah 12:1
Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

that the.

Job 8:20
Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:

Job 9:22,23
This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked…

Ecclesiastes 7:15
All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

Shall.

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Job 8:3
Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Job 34:17-19
Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? …

Judge.

John 5:22-27
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: …

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

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Genesis 18

1. The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels.
9. Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son.
16. The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham.
23. Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants.

Berean Study Bible

Far be it from You
This phrase is a strong expression of disapproval or disbelief that God would act in a manner inconsistent with His character. In Hebrew, the phrase is "חָלִילָה לְךָ" (chalilah lecha), which conveys a sense of moral repulsion. Abraham is appealing to God's nature, emphasizing that it is unthinkable for God to act unjustly. This reflects a deep understanding of God's holiness and justice, which are central themes throughout Scripture.

to do such a thing
Here, Abraham is referring to the potential destruction of the righteous along with the wicked. The Hebrew word for "thing" is "דָּבָר" (davar), which can mean word, matter, or thing. This highlights the gravity of the situation Abraham is addressing. He is concerned with the moral implications of God's actions, underscoring the importance of justice and righteousness in God's dealings with humanity.

to kill the righteous with the wicked
This phrase underscores the moral dilemma Abraham is presenting to God. The Hebrew word for "kill" is "הָרַג" (harag), which means to slay or destroy. Abraham is questioning the justice of a collective punishment that does not distinguish between the innocent and the guilty. This reflects a broader biblical theme of individual responsibility and the importance of justice, as seen in passages like Ezekiel 18:20.

so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike
The concern here is the potential for indiscriminate judgment. The Hebrew word for "treated alike" is "כְּצַדִּיק כָּרָשָׁע" (ketsaddik karasha), meaning as the righteous, so the wicked. This phrase highlights the expectation that God's justice is not arbitrary but is based on moral distinctions. It reflects the biblical principle that God is a fair and impartial judge, as seen in Deuteronomy 10:17.

Far be it from You!
This repetition emphasizes the seriousness of Abraham's plea. The Hebrew repetition of "חָלִילָה" (chalilah) serves to reinforce the idea that such an action would be contrary to God's nature. It is a rhetorical device that underscores the expectation of divine justice and righteousness.

Will not the Judge of all the earth
This title for God, "שֹׁפֵט כָּל הָאָרֶץ" (shofet kol ha'aretz), emphasizes His sovereignty and authority over all creation. It acknowledges God's ultimate role as the arbiter of justice. The use of "Judge" highlights the expectation that God will act in accordance with His character, which is just and righteous.

do what is right?
The Hebrew word for "right" is "מִשְׁפָּט" (mishpat), which means justice or judgment. This is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's commitment to justice and righteousness. Abraham's question is rhetorical, affirming his belief that God will indeed act justly. It serves as a reminder of the biblical assurance that God's judgments are always fair and just, as seen in Psalm 9:8.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 25. - That be far from thee - literally to profane things (be it) to thee - nefas sit tibi = = absit a te! an exclamation of abhorrence, too feebly rendered by μηδαμῶς (LXX.) - to do after this manner (literally, according to this word), to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked (literally, and that it should be - as the righteous, so the wicked), that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? The patriarch appeals not to Jehovah's covenant grace (Kurtz), but to his absolute judicial equity (Keil). It does not, however, follow that the Divine righteousness would have been compromised by consigning pious and wicked to the same temporal destruction. This must have been a spectacle not infrequently observed in Abraham's day as well as ours. Yet the mind of Abraham appears to have been perplexed, as men's minds often are still, by the magnitude of the proposed illustration of a common principle in Providence. Though prepared to admit the principle when its application is confined to solitary cases, or cases of no great amplitude, yet instinctively the human mind feels that there must be a limit to the commingling of the righteous and the wicked in calamity, though it should be only of a temporal description. That limit Abraham conceived, or perhaps feared that others might conceive, would be passed if good and bad in Sodom should be overwhelmed in a common ruin; and in this spirit the closing utterance of his first supplication may be regarded as giving expression to the hope that Jehovah would do nothing that would even seem to tarnish his Divine righteousness. Abraham of course regarded this as impossible, consequently he believed that Sodom might be spared.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Far be it from You
חָלִ֨לָה (ḥā·li·lāh)
Interjection | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2486: For, a profaned thing, far be it!

to do
מֵעֲשֹׂ֣ת ׀ (mê·‘ă·śōṯ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

such
הַזֶּ֗ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

a thing—
כַּדָּבָ֣ר (kad·dā·ḇār)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

to kill
לְהָמִ֤ית (lə·hā·mîṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

the righteous
צַדִּיק֙ (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the wicked,
רָשָׁ֔ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

so that the righteous
כַצַּדִּ֖יק (ḵaṣ·ṣad·dîq)
Preposition-k, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

and the wicked
כָּרָשָׁ֑ע (kā·rā·šā‘)
Preposition-k, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

are treated alike.
וְהָיָ֥ה (wə·hā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

Far be it from You!
חָלִ֣לָה (ḥā·li·lāh)
Interjection | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2486: For, a profaned thing, far be it!

Will not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

the Judge
הֲשֹׁפֵט֙ (hă·šō·p̄êṭ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

of all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the earth
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

do
יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה (ya·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

what is right?”
מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

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OT Law: Genesis 18:25 Be it far from you to do (Gen. Ge Gn)