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Time after Pentecost · Proper 11 · Year C

Genesis 18:1-10a

Three Visitors at the Oaks of Mamre

July 23, 2028

The Trinity (Hospitality of Abraham), Andrei Rublev
The Trinity (Hospitality of Abraham), Andrei Rublev, c. 1425Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow
The most famous icon ever painted. Three angels sit round a table with a cup on it, and the empty fourth side is where the viewer is. Abraham and Sarah have been left out entirely.The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre as he sat at the entrance of his tent: the reading is three visitors at a meal, and Rublev made it the Trinity.Andrei RublevA Russian monk and icon painter, canonised in 1988, whose work is the high point of Russian religious art.Tretyakov Gallery, MoscowBuilt on a merchant's private collection of Russian art, given to the city in 1892 and still the national collection of Russian painting.Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 10:38-42Lk 10:38-42
EpistleCol. 1:21-29Col 1:21-29
Old TestamentGen. 18:1-10aGn 18:1-10a
PsalterPs. 27:7-14Ps 27:7-14

Overview & Insights

"Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you... and Sarah shall have a son." (Genesis 18:14)

The Lord appears to Abraham as three travelers by the oaks of Mamre, and Abraham rushes to offer them lavish hospitality. One of the visitors promises that Sarah, long past childbearing age, will have a son within the year.

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Take it further: Genesis 18:1-10a

Commentary

Genesis 18 Commentary: The Lord Appears to AbrahamGn 18 Commentary: The Lord Appears to Abraham Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse look at the visit and the renewed promise of a son.

Genesis 18 CommentaryGn 18 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed word study on Abraham's hospitality and the promise to Sarah.

Genesis 18:1-10 CommentariesGn 18:1-10 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentary on the opening verses of the visitation.

Genesis 18:1-10 CommentaryGn 18:1-10 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Preaching-focused reading of the hospitality scene and its doublets in Genesis.

Genesis 18:1 interlinearGn 18:1 interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew text and parsing for the opening of the visitation scene.

Background & Word Study

Genesis 18 in Hebrew and EnglishGn 18 in Hebrew and English Sefaria

Original Hebrew text alongside translation for the full chapter.

Genesis 12-50 overview videoGn 12-50 overview video BibleProject

Places the Abraham story, including this visit, in the arc of Genesis 12-50.

Art & Music

Art, music and hymns for Genesis 18:1-10aArt, music and hymns for Gn 18:1-10a Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt Divinity Library index of visual art, hymns and music chosen for this reading.

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