King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:34 Mean?

Genesis 19:34 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: l...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 19:34 · KJV

Context

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.

36

Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternig... 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. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַֽיְהִי֙1 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת2 of 21

“And it came to pass on the morrow”

H4283

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

וַתֹּ֤אמֶר3 of 21

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַבְּכִירָה֙4 of 21

“that the firstborn”

H1067

the eldest daughter

אֶל5 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַצְּעִירָ֔ה6 of 21

“unto the younger”

H6810

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

הֵן7 of 21
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

שִׁכְבִ֣י8 of 21

“Behold I lay”

H7901

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

אֶ֖מֶשׁ9 of 21

“yesternight”

H570

yesterday or last night

אֶת10 of 21
H854

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

מֵֽאָבִ֖ינוּ11 of 21

“of our father”

H1

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

נַשְׁקֶ֨נּוּ12 of 21

“let us make him drink”

H8248

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

יַ֜יִן13 of 21

“wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

גַּם14 of 21
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

הַלַּ֗יְלָה15 of 21

“this night”

H3915

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

וּבֹ֙אִי֙16 of 21

“also and go thou in”

H935

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

שִׁכְבִ֣י17 of 21

“Behold I lay”

H7901

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

עִמּ֔וֹ18 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וּנְחַיֶּ֥ה19 of 21

“with him that we may preserve”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

מֵֽאָבִ֖ינוּ20 of 21

“of our father”

H1

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

זָֽרַע׃21 of 21

“seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

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 19:34 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 19:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 6:15Jeremiah 3:3Jeremiah 8:12Jeremiah 5:3Isaiah 3:9

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