Abraham's Three Guests

(Genesis 18:1-16, JSB)

The Lord appeared to [Abraham] by the terebinths of Mamre; he was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot. Looking up he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground, he said, "My lords, if it please you, do not go on past your servant. Let a little water be brought; bathe your feet and recline under the tree. And let me fetch a morsel of bread that you may refresh yourselves; then go on--seeing that you have come your servant's way."

They replied, "Do as you have said."

Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Quick, three seahs of choice flour! Knead and make cakes!"

Then Abraham ran to the herd, took a calf, tender and choice, and gave it to a servant-boy, who hastened to prepare it. He took curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared and set these before them, and he waited on them under the tree as they ate.

They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?"

And he replied, "There in the tent."

Then he said, "I will return to you next year, and your wife Sarah shall have a son!"

Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years; Sarah had stopped having the periods of women. And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "Now that I am withered, am I to have enjoyment--with my husband so old?"

Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I in truth bear a child, old as I am? Is anything too wondrous for the Lord? I will return to you at the same season next year, and Sarah shall have a son."

Sarah lied, saying, "I did not laugh," for she was frightened.

But He replied, "You did laugh."

The men set out  from there and looked down toward Sodom, Abraham walking with them to see them off.

From The Jewish Study Bible (Oxford University Press, New York: 2004)