My lord translates Hebrew ʾadonai, which, as it is written, refers to God. This is supported by the ancient versions. It is highly unlikely, however, that Abraham would offer food to God, or that from this first meeting he would assume that one of the three is the LORD. The reader, but not Abraham, has been told of the appearance of the LORD in Gen 18.1. Much more probable than “the Lord” here is the respectful term of address, “lord” or “lords,” meaning “sirs.” In the rest of verse 3 there are three second person singular pronoun forms in the Hebrew. The use of lord or “sir” fits with these singular forms, but assumes that Abraham has chosen to address one of the three. If he addresses all three, the singular forms must be changed to plural. English grammar does not distinguish singular and plural in these forms. Bible en français courant, which prefers the singular, avoids an address form by saying “He said to one of them, ‘I beg you [singular] ….’ ” Some translations give “LORD” as an alternative. This is probably not necessary.
If I have found favor in your sight: Abraham’s expression is one of extreme politeness spoken to strangers and means “if you consider me worthy,” something that was spoken to a person of high rank. See also 19.19; 32.5; 33.8, 10, 15. Your is singular in Hebrew. Good News Translation “I am here to serve you” does not express the degree of polite humility of this statement. Abraham is giving his visitors a basis for accepting his invitation. Speiser translates “If I may beg of you this favor….”
In translation it is more important to make this a natural expression of humble courtesy than to reproduce its literal content. In some languages such politeness is expressed figuratively; for example, “if you have seen good in my heart…” or “if there has been good upon my head….” Two examples of natural greetings in this context are “You-three, it’s very good that you have come to my place. Please don’t go on…” and “Headmen, I would like for you to come to my house. Don’t go past….”
Do not pass by your servant: Abraham uses your servant as a humble reference to himself. The whole request may be rendered “do not go on your way without spending time at my place.” The Hebrew is literally “do not depart from near your servant.” We may also say “do not go further without accepting my hospitality” or “please remain for a while and be my guests.”
Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .