King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:12 Mean?

Genesis 19:12 in the King James Version says “And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:”

Genesis 19:12 · KJV

Context

10

But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.

11

And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

12

And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

13

For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

14

And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, ... 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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

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. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ1 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֜ים2 of 18
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶל3 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ל֗וֹט4 of 18

“unto Lot”

H3876

lot, abraham's nephew

עֹ֚ד5 of 18
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

מִֽי6 of 18

“any”

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

לְךָ֣7 of 18
H0
פֹ֔ה8 of 18

“Hast thou here”

H6311

this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence

חָתָן֙9 of 18

“besides son in law”

H2860

a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)

וּבָנֶ֣יךָ10 of 18

“and thy sons”

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

וּבְנֹתֶ֔יךָ11 of 18

“and thy daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְכֹ֥ל12 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר13 of 18

“and whatsoever”

H834

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

לְךָ֖14 of 18
H0
בָּעִ֑יר15 of 18

“thou hast in the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הוֹצֵ֖א16 of 18

“bring them out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִן17 of 18
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמָּקֽוֹם׃18 of 18

“of this place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

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 19:12 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 19:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 7:1Revelation 18:42 Peter 2:72 Peter 2:9Joshua 6:22-23Numbers 16:26

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 19 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 19 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes