King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:5 Mean?

Genesis 19:5 in the King James Version says “And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us,...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.”

Genesis 19:5 · KJV

Context

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:

5

And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

6

And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,

7

And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bri... 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. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ1 of 15

“And they called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל2 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לוֹט֙3 of 15

“unto Lot”

H3876

lot, abraham's nephew

וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ4 of 15

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֔וֹ5 of 15
H0
אַיֵּ֧ה6 of 15
H346

where?

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֛ים7 of 15
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)

אֲשֶׁר8 of 15
H834

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

בָּ֥אוּ9 of 15

“which came in”

H935

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

אֵלֶ֖יךָ10 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַלָּ֑יְלָה11 of 15

“to thee this night”

H3915

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

הֽוֹצִיאֵ֣ם12 of 15

“bring them out”

H3318

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

אֵלֵ֔ינוּ13 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְנֵֽדְעָ֖ה14 of 15

“unto us that we may know”

H3045

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

אֹתָֽם׃15 of 15
H853

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

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 19:5 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 19:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 19:22Isaiah 3:9Jude 1:7Leviticus 18:22Romans 1:26-27Matthew 11:23-24

Test Your Knowledge

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

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