18:6 So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Take 1 three measures 2 of fine flour, knead it, and make bread.” 3 18:7 Then Abraham ran to the herd and chose a fine, tender calf, and gave it to a servant, 4 who quickly prepared it. 5
1 tn The word “take” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text the sentence lacks a verb other than the imperative “hurry.” The elliptical structure of the language reflects Abraham’s haste to get things ready quickly.
2 sn Three measures (Heb “three seahs”) was equivalent to about twenty quarts (twenty-two liters) of flour, which would make a lot of bread. The animal prepared for the meal was far more than the three visitors needed. This was a banquet for royalty. Either it had been a lonely time for Abraham and the presence of visitors made him very happy, or he sensed this was a momentous visit.
3 sn The bread was the simple, round bread made by bedouins that is normally prepared quickly for visitors.
4 tn Heb “the young man.”
5 tn The construction uses the Piel preterite, “he hurried,” followed by the infinitive construct; the two probably form a verbal hendiadys: “he quickly prepared.”