King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:19 Mean?

Genesis 18:19 in the King James Version says “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

Genesis 18:19 · KJV

Context

17

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

18

Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

19

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

20

And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

21

I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

Read Genesis 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep t... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
כִּ֣י1 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְדַעְתִּ֗יו2 of 25

“For I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לְמַעַן֩3 of 25
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

אֲשֶׁר4 of 25

“him that”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְצַוֶּ֜ה5 of 25

“he will command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶת6 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בָּנָ֤יו7 of 25

“his children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְאֶת8 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּיתוֹ֙9 of 25

“and his household”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אַֽחֲרָ֔יו10 of 25

“after him”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙11 of 25

“and they shall keep”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

דֶּ֣רֶךְ12 of 25

“the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

יְהוָה֙13 of 25

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת14 of 25

“to do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

צְדָקָ֖ה15 of 25

“justice”

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט16 of 25

“and judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

לְמַ֗עַן17 of 25
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

הָבִ֤יא18 of 25

“may bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

יְהוָה֙19 of 25

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עַל20 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַבְרָהָ֔ם21 of 25

“upon Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אֵ֥ת22 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁר23 of 25

“him that”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֖ר24 of 25

“that which he hath spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עָלָֽיו׃25 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 18:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 18:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Timothy 3:4-5Deuteronomy 6:6-7Deuteronomy 4:9-10Ephesians 6:42 Timothy 3:15Proverbs 6:20-22

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