King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:2 Mean?

Genesis 19:2 in the King James Version says “And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your fe...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.”

Genesis 19:2 · KJV

Prayer

Context

1

And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

2

And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

3

And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

4

But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all nig... 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. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How should this truth about Lot's Daughters shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ1 of 20

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֶּ֣ה2 of 20
H2009

lo!

נָּא3 of 20
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֲדֹנַ֗י4 of 20

“Behold now my lords”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

ס֣וּרוּ5 of 20

“turn in”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

נָ֠א6 of 20
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֶל7 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֨ית8 of 20

“house”

H1004

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

עַבְדְּכֶ֤ם9 of 20

“I pray you into your servant's”

H5650

a servant

נָלִֽין׃10 of 20

“Nay but we will abide”

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

וְרַֽחֲצ֣וּ11 of 20

“and wash”

H7364

to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)

רַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם12 of 20

“your feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

וְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּ֖ם13 of 20

“and ye shall rise up early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

וַֽהֲלַכְתֶּ֣ם14 of 20

“and go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְדַרְכְּכֶ֑ם15 of 20

“on your ways”

H1870

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

וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ16 of 20

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹּ֔א17 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כִּ֥י18 of 20
H3588

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

בָֽרְח֖וֹב19 of 20

“in the street”

H7339

a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area

נָלִֽין׃20 of 20

“Nay but we will abide”

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

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 19:2 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 19:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 18:4Luke 24:28-29Acts 16:15Hebrews 13:2Judges 19:17-21

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