Definition: And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important verse from Genesis 18:17. It's a really striking and symbolic passage about God’s plan for creation and a bit of a surprise! Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying God is concerned about what he’s about to do. He’s worried that something he’s about to create – specifically, humanity – might cause him distress or conflict. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD said…” : This establishes that we’re hearing a direct message from God. “…Shall I hide from Abraham?” : This is the core of the verse. It refers to Abraham, who was a very important figure in Jewish and Christian traditions – considered the patriarch or father of many people. He was about to be sent on a journey to find a place for his descendants. What’s the Worry? The problem isn't necessarily that God doesn't want to create humanity. It’s that God is worried about the potential consequences of humanity’s existence. He’s anticipating challenges, conflict, and perhaps even a disruption of the natural order. The Significance – A Symbolic Story: The key part here is that God is concerned with what he's going to do. He’s acknowledging the possibility of a difficult situation arising from humanity’s actions. It’s a hint of a larger story about how creation will unfold, and it speaks to the idea that even good things can have potential challenges. Why is this important? This verse is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the story of Genesis 2, where God creates Adam and places him in a world with conflict and challenges. It suggests that there’s a natural order that must be maintained, and God's concern for it is a part of that larger plan. In short: God is aware of what humanity will become and is pondering how the creation process might go wrong. --- Resources to delve deeper (optional): Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Genesis/18/17](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/Genesis/18/17) – This offers a clear, accessible explanation of the verse and its context. Wikipedia - Genesis 18: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_18](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_18) – A good overview of the story and its symbolism. Do you want to explore any specific aspect of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the symbolic meaning behind the phrase "hide from Abraham"? Discuss the context of Genesis 18 within the larger narrative of creation?