Abraham’s Visitors in Genesis 18 [1 of 2]
I’m going to post two articles on Abraham’s angelic encounter in Genesis 18. This first one is a look at the traditional approaches. The second, will be about a new angle (to me anyway) that I recently came across in the Talmud
Genesis 18 opens with a visit:
The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favour in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” (Gen 18:1–5)
This is, to put it plainly, a very confusing passage.
Traditionally, we have understood these three strangers as a type of theophany. That’s just a theological word we use to describe a physical appearance of God within the story. And of course that stems from the divine name used in verse one. This encounter is very much a conversation with Yahweh in some sense.
The next logical question, though, is: well, who are these three men?
Continue reading on Substack.
