The Three Visitors at Mamre

While Abraham sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day by the oaks of Mamre, he looked up and saw three men standing nearby (Genesis 18:1-2). Upon seeing them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, bowed to the ground, and requested that they not pass by his servant. The text does not say why he addressed one specifically as 'My Lord,' but he offered to have water brought to wash their feet and invited them to rest under the tree while he prepared bread for them (Genesis 18:3-5). The men agreed to his proposal.

Abraham entered the tent and instructed Sarah to quickly prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake cakes. He then ran to the herd, selected a choice calf, and gave it to a servant to prepare (Genesis 18:6-7). When the meal of curds, milk, and the prepared calf was ready, Abraham set it before the three men and stood by them under the tree while they ate. During the meal, the men asked regarding the location of Sarah, and Abraham replied that she was in the tent (Genesis 18:8-9).

One of the visitors stated he would return about the same time the following year, and Sarah would have a son. Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. The text notes that Abraham and Sarah were old and advanced in years, and the way of women had ceased for Sarah (Genesis 18:10-11). Sarah laughed to herself, questioning if she would have pleasure now that she and her lord were old. The Lord asked Abraham why Sarah laughed and questioned if anything was too hard for the Lord. Sarah denied laughing because she was afraid, but the Lord stated that she did laugh (Genesis 18:12-15).