King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:31 Mean?

Genesis 19:31 in the King James Version says “And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:”

Genesis 19:31 · KJV

Context

29

And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

30

And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

31

And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:

32

Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

33

And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to c... 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. How should this truth about Lot's Daughters shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַתֹּ֧אמֶר1 of 14

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַבְּכִירָ֛ה2 of 14

“And the firstborn”

H1067

the eldest daughter

אֶל3 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַצְּעִירָ֖ה4 of 14

“unto the younger”

H6810

little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble

אָבִ֣ינוּ5 of 14

“Our father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

זָקֵ֑ן6 of 14

“is old”

H2204

to be old

וְאִ֨ישׁ7 of 14

“and there is not a man”

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)

אֵ֤ין8 of 14
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

הָאָֽרֶץ׃9 of 14

“in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לָב֣וֹא10 of 14

“to come in”

H935

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

עָלֵ֔ינוּ11 of 14
H5921

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

כְּדֶ֖רֶךְ12 of 14

“unto us after the manner”

H1870

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

כָּל13 of 14
H3605

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

הָאָֽרֶץ׃14 of 14

“in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 19:31 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 19:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 25:5Genesis 4:1Genesis 6:4Isaiah 4:1Genesis 16:2Genesis 16:4

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