Judaism
Genesis
“And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;”
← All parallels
ParallelsA comparative study
JudaismIslamChristianity
On The Three Strangers at Mamre
Three traditions recount the arrival of divine visitors who are initially received as ordinary guests before revealing their celestial nature and delivering a prophetic message. While the Hebrew Bible and the Qur'an describe the event as a historical theophany involving Abraham/Ibrahim, the Christian New Testament abstracts the narrative into a general ethical imperative regarding hospitality. Scholars note that the Qur'anic accounts emphasize the prophetic mission and the miraculous birth of a son, whereas the Genesis narrative focuses on the covenantal promise and the intercessory role of the patriarch.
What every account tells.
- iThree divine figures arrive and are greeted by a host.
- iiThe host offers immediate hospitality, including food and water.
- iiiThe visitors reveal a divine message concerning a future birth.
- ivThe host recognizes the visitors' supernatural status during the encounter.
How each tradition tells it.
Judaism
The narrative in Genesis presents the visitors as the LORD and two angels, with the text shifting between singular and plural references to the divine presence. The focus remains on the covenantal promise of Isaac and the subsequent intercession for Sodom.
Islam
The Qur'anic accounts in Surah Hud and Surah Adh-Dhariyat identify the visitors explicitly as messengers (rasul) sent to warn the people of Lut and give glad tidings to Ibrahim. The narrative is tightly integrated with the destruction of the wicked cities, emphasizing the justice of God.
Christianity
The Epistle to the Hebrews does not retell the narrative but derives a theological principle from it, urging believers to practice hospitality without knowing they may be entertaining angels. This shifts the focus from a specific historical event to a universal moral duty for the community.
Read the passages as one.
Judaism
Genesis
“And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.”
Islam
Surah 11: Hud (Hud)
وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡ رُسُلُنَآ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ بِٱلۡبُشۡرَىٰ قَالُواْ سَلَٰمٗاۖ قَالَ سَلَٰمٞۖ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَآءَ بِعِجۡلٍ حَنِيذٖ
“And certainly did Our messengers come to Abraham with good tidings; they said, "Peace." He said, "Peace," and did not delay in bringing [them] a roasted calf”
Islam
Surah 11: Hud (Hud)
وَٱمۡرَأَتُهُۥ قَآئِمَةٞ فَضَحِكَتۡ فَبَشَّرۡنَٰهَا بِإِسۡحَٰقَ وَمِن وَرَآءِ إِسۡحَٰقَ يَعۡقُوبَ
“And his Wife was standing, and she smiled. Then We gave her good tidings of Isaac and after Isaac, Jacob”
Islam
Surah 51: Adh-Dhariyat (The Winnowing Winds)
هَلۡ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ضَيۡفِ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ ٱلۡمُكۡرَمِينَ
“Has there reached you the story of the honored guests of Abraham”
Islam
Surah 51: Adh-Dhariyat (The Winnowing Winds)
فَأَوۡجَسَ مِنۡهُمۡ خِيفَةٗۖ قَالُواْ لَا تَخَفۡۖ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَٰمٍ عَلِيمٖ
“And he felt from them apprehension. They said, "Fear not," and gave him good tidings of a learned boy”
Christianity
Hebrews
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”