Genesis 18:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And the Lord appeared unto him, &c.— We have here an account of another appearance of the Lord Jehovah to Abraham; who came attended, as it seems most probable, by two angels, and in a human form. That one of these three was the Lord, there can be no doubt; as the sacred historian introduces the appearance of the three, by telling us, that the Lord appeared to Abraham: and it seems that Abraham knew him to be the Lord, by whatever method he was distinguished; for he plainly pays a peculiar deference to one, whom he addresses in Genesis 18:3. And one manifestly speaks with superior dignity. See Genesis 18:10, &c. Christian interpreters seem generally agreed, that this Divine Person was God the Son, the promised Messiah. This appearance was made to Abraham in the plains, or at the oak of Mamre, see Genesis 18:4 under the tree. He was there sitting in the shade at his tent-door in the heat of the day, when travellers sought shelter and refreshment; to afford them which, perhaps, he took his watchful station here: And he lift up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men, three who had the external appearance of men, stood by him; or rather, were standing near him, at some small distance from him: עליו alav is rendered in many versions above him; and possibly, as Abraham was sitting in the plain, where there were many mountains around, he might see these three persons above him, as it were descending from the mountains; and to this the phrase, he lift up his eyes, may refer. But if we understand it, that he saw these persons standing near him, we must remember, that it was not the manner of strangers in ancient times to knock at the door, or make the first advances to those by whom they would be entertained; they only stood in the way, waiting till they were invited. According to this custom, the great heathen Poet Homer describes Minerva under the appearance of Mentor, standing in Ulysses's vestibule, till Telemachus seeing her, went to her in haste, and led her in, vexed that a stranger should have stood so long at his door. Odyss. I. 103, &c.