Genesis 18:27
New International Version
Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes,

New Living Translation
Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes.

English Standard Version
Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes—

King James Bible
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

New King James Version
Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord:

New American Standard Bible
And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am only dust and ashes.

NASB 1995
And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.

NASB 1977
And Abraham answered and said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Abraham answered and said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.

Amplified Bible
Abraham answered, “Now behold, I who am but dust [in origin] and ashes have decided to speak to the Lord.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Abraham answered, “Since I have ventured to speak to my lord—even though I am dust and ashes—

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Abraham answered, “Since I have ventured to speak to the Lord—even though I am dust and ashes—

American Standard Version
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes:

Contemporary English Version
Abraham answered, "I am nothing more than the dust of the earth. Please forgive me, LORD, for daring to speak to you like this.

English Revised Version
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abraham asked, "Consider now, if I may be so bold as to ask you, although I'm [only] dust and ashes,

Good News Translation
Abraham spoke again: "Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. I am only a man and have no right to say anything.

International Standard Version
Abraham answered, "Look, even though I am only dust and ashes, I've ventured to speak to my LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes—

NET Bible
Then Abraham asked, "Since I have undertaken to speak to the Lord (although I am but dust and ashes),

New Heart English Bible
Abraham answered, "See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I, who am dust and ashes, have taken upon me to speak to the Lord.

World English Bible
Abraham answered, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, although I am dust and ashes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abraham answers and says, “Now behold, I have willed to speak to the Lord, and I [am] dust and ashes;

Young's Literal Translation
And Abraham answereth and saith, 'Lo, I pray thee, I have willed to speak unto the Lord, and I -- dust and ashes;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abraham will answer and say, Behold now, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord, and I dust and ashes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abraham answered, and said: Seeing I have once begun, I will speak to my Lord, whereas I am dust and ashes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Abraham responded by saying: “Since now I have begun, I will speak to my Lord, though I am dust and ashes.

New American Bible
Abraham spoke up again: “See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am only dust and ashes!

New Revised Standard Version
Abraham answered, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abraham answered and said, Behold, I have ventured to speak before the LORD, and yet I am but dust and ashes;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have begun to speak before LORD JEHOVAH, and I am dust and ashes.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abraham answered and said: 'Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and ashes.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abraam answered and said, Now I have begun to speak to my Lord, and I am earth and ashes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abraham Begs for Sodom
26So the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous ones within the city of Sodom, on their account I will spare the whole place.” 27Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord— though I am but dust and ashes— 28suppose the fifty righteous ones lack five. Will You destroy the whole city for the lack of five?” He replied, “If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it.”…

Cross References
Job 42:6
Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

Isaiah 6:5
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Luke 18:13
But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

Exodus 3:11
But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

1 Kings 8:38-39
then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make—each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple— / be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men—

Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Matthew 3:14
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

Romans 7:18
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

1 Timothy 1:15
This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

2 Corinthians 12:11
I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

Job 40:4-5
“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth. / I have spoken once, but I have no answer—twice, but I have nothing to add.”

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Philippians 3:8
More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

1 Peter 5:5-6
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” / Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.


Treasury of Scripture

And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken on me to speak to the LORD, which am but dust and ashes:

I have.

Genesis 18:30-32
And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there…

Ezra 9:6
And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Job 42:6-8
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes…

dust.

Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Genesis 3:19
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Job 4:19
How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?

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Abraham Although Ashes Bold Dust Speak Thoughts Undertaken Ventured Willed
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.














Then Abraham answered
This phrase marks a continuation of a dialogue between Abraham and God, emphasizing the relational aspect of their interaction. The Hebrew root for "answered" is "עָנָה" (anah), which implies a response or reply, often in a conversational context. This highlights the personal relationship Abraham has with God, where he feels comfortable enough to engage in a dialogue. Historically, this reflects the unique covenant relationship God established with Abraham, setting a precedent for personal communication with the divine.

Now that I have ventured
The phrase "ventured" comes from the Hebrew "אוּלַי" (ulay), suggesting a sense of boldness or daring. Abraham acknowledges the audacity of his actions, recognizing the gravity of speaking directly to God. This reflects a deep faith and trust in God's character, knowing that God is approachable and merciful. It also underscores the humility required to approach God, a theme consistent throughout Scripture.

to speak to the Lord
The term "Lord" here is "אֲדֹנָי" (Adonai), a title of respect and authority. It signifies Abraham's recognition of God's sovereignty and his own subordinate position. This acknowledgment is crucial in understanding the nature of prayer and intercession, where one approaches God with reverence and respect. The historical context of this title reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine authority, where a lord was both a ruler and a protector.

though I am but dust and ashes
This phrase is a profound expression of humility. "Dust" (עָפָר, afar) and "ashes" (אֵפֶר, efer) symbolize mortality and insignificance. Abraham's self-description echoes the creation narrative in Genesis 2:7, where man is formed from the dust of the ground. It serves as a reminder of human frailty and dependence on God. The imagery of dust and ashes is also used in contexts of repentance and mourning throughout the Bible, reinforcing the idea of humility before God. This acknowledgment of human limitation is central to the biblical understanding of humanity's place in relation to the divine.

Verse 27. - And Abraham answered and said (being emboldened by the success of his first petition), Behold now, I have taken upon me, literally, I have begun, though here perhaps used in a more emphatic sense: I have undertaken or ventured (vide Gesenius, p. 326) - to speak unto the Lord - Adonai (Genesis 15:2) - which am but dust and ashes. "Dust in his origin and ashes in his end" (Delitzsch; vide Genesis 3:19).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Abraham
אַבְרָהָ֖ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

answered,
וַיַּ֥עַן (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

“Now that
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

I have ventured
הוֹאַ֙לְתִּי֙ (hō·w·’al·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2974: To show willingness, be pleased, determine, undertake (to do anything)

to speak
לְדַבֵּ֣ר (lə·ḏab·bêr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the Lord—
אֲדֹנָ֔י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

though I
וְאָנֹכִ֖י (wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

am but dust
עָפָ֥ר (‘ā·p̄ār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud

and ashes—
וָאֵֽפֶר׃ (wā·’ê·p̄er)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 665: Ashes


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OT Law: Genesis 18:27 Abraham answered See now I have taken (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 18:26
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