This week’s reading tells the story of God visiting Abraham in physical form. In Genesis 18, Adonai Yehovah visited Abraham at his tent near the oaks of Mamre with two heavenly beings that had the appearance of men. Abraham called Adonai, which is often translated in most English Bibles as “my Lord.” The Parashah’s name implies a sudden appearance of YHVH, as the text doesn’t mention the men approaching. The Hebrew text should be “in the oak trees,” suggesting YHVH manifested as a tree, like when he appeared to Moses as a burning bush. Some older English Bible translations translate the Hebrew word ēlôn as “terebinth” tree, but the correct translation is “oak” tree. Terebinth and oak are different species of trees, but there were indeed oak trees near the burial cave in Hebron.
Abraham showed gracious hospitality by preparing a feast for his three guests. During the meal, Adonai reaffirmed that Sarah would have a son, causing her to laugh in disbelief due to her old age. Adonai questioned her laughter, asserting that nothing was impossible for Him.
This was not the first time Adonai appeared physically to Abraham. Adonai had previously appeared to him in Genesis 12:7 when he arrived in Canaan and in Genesis 17:1 during the covenant of circumcision. However, Genesis 18 is unique as the first clearly physical manifestation of Adonai taking visible human form, sharing a meal, and interacting with Abraham face-to-face. Genesis 18 leaves no doubt: Abraham saw, served, and conversed with Adonai as a guest in his tent.
The Tanakh recounts many instances where God has appeared in physical form before His birth in Bethlehem, often accompanied by two others. YHVH is a not distant god; He is always present, even if we cannot perceive Him. He manifests His presence through visible phenomena known as theophanies, appearing as fire, cloud, or human-like figures. These pre-incarnate appearances foreshadow the ultimate theophany: the Incarnation, where Yeshua became fully human while remaining fully divine. These theophanies were temporary revelations of YHVH’s presence with His people, and the life and death of Yeshua fulfill them.
Other instances of cherubim or heavenly beings standing beside Adonai include: the cherubim guarding the entrance to the garden, Abraham’s three visitors at Mamre, the glory cloud of His Presence between the two cherubim, the two angels at the tomb where Yeshua was laid to rest, and the two angels present during Yeshua’s ascension.
This week, we are reading Parashah No. 5, And He Appeared, וירא
Torah: Genesis 18:1–22:24
Haftarah: 2 Kings 4:1–37
Brit Hadashah: Luke 1:26–38, 24:36–53