King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:33 Mean?

Genesis 19:33 in the King James Version says “And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived n...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 19:33 · KJV

Context

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.

34

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

35

And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father... 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 contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַתַּשְׁקֶ֧יןָ1 of 15

“And they made”

H8248

to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

אֶת2 of 15
H853

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

אָבִ֔יהָ3 of 15

“their father”

H1

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

יַ֖יִן4 of 15

“wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

בַּלַּ֣יְלָה5 of 15

“that night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

ה֑וּא6 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַתָּבֹ֤א7 of 15

“went in”

H935

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

הַבְּכִירָה֙8 of 15

“and the firstborn”

H1067

the eldest daughter

בְּשִׁכְבָ֖הּ9 of 15

“and lay”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אֶת10 of 15
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אָבִ֔יהָ11 of 15

“their father”

H1

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

וְלֹֽא12 of 15
H3808

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

יָדַ֥ע13 of 15

“and he perceived”

H3045

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

בְּשִׁכְבָ֖הּ14 of 15

“and lay”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

וּבְקוּׄמָֽהּ׃15 of 15

“nor when she arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

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 19:33 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 19:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 2:15-16Proverbs 23:29-35Leviticus 18:6-7Proverbs 20:1

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