Genesis 18:28

Peraduenture there shall lacke fiue of the fiftie righteous: wilt thou destroy all the citie for lacke of fiue? And he said, If I find there fourtie and fiue, I will not destroy it. Genesis 18:28 (KJV)

This verse belongs to the dramatic account in which Abraham intercedes with God on behalf of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 18 three men—who are divine beings or angels—appear to Abraham near the Oaks of Mamre. Abraham shows generous hospitality, and during their conversation the Lord reveals His intention to investigate the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah because of their great wickedness.

Concerned for his nephew Lot and for any righteous people living in those cities, Abraham begins a dialogue with the Lord, pleading for their salvation. In the preceding verses he progressively lowers the number of righteous individuals required for God to spare the cities, moving from fifty down to forty‑five. In Genesis 18:28 Abraham asks, “Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?” His question reflects a deep worry that the whole city might be destroyed even if only five righteous persons were missing.

God’s response, recorded in the following verse, is, “If there be forty and five, I will not destroy it.” (Some manuscripts render it as, “If I find there forty‑5, I will spare for the forty‑5.”) This answer assures Abraham that the presence of forty‑5 righteous people would be sufficient for the cities to be spared.

The passage reveals Abraham’s boldness in approaching God and his compassionate concern for others. It also displays God’s justice tempered with mercy—He desires righteousness, yet He is willing to listen to the pleas of His people and extend mercy when the conditions are met.

From this we learn two important lessons. First, God’s character combines justice with a readiness to show mercy. Second, the example of Abraham’s intercession encourages believers to pray for others, to appeal to God on their behalf, and to seek a balance between justice and mercy in our own lives. In sum, Genesis 18:28 captures Abraham’s heartfelt plea and God’s gracious willingness to spare the cities if a modest number of righteous individuals are found within them, underscoring the power and importance of intercessory prayer.