King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:8 Mean?

Genesis 19:8 in the King James Version says “Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to the... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing ; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

Genesis 19:8 · KJV


Context

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.

8

Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing ; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

9

And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

10

But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto y... 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 theological truths about Sodom's Destruction emerge from this passage?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
הִנֵּה1 of 29
H2009

lo!

נָ֨א2 of 29
H4994

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

לִ֜י3 of 29
H0
שְׁתֵּ֣י4 of 29

Behold now I have two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בָנ֗וֹת5 of 29

daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר6 of 29
H834

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

לֹֽא7 of 29
H3808

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

יָדְעוּ֙8 of 29

which have not known

H3045

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

לָֽאֲנָשִׁ֤ים9 of 29

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)

אוֹצִֽיאָה10 of 29

let me I pray you bring them out

H3318

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

נָּ֤א11 of 29
H4994

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

אֶתְהֶן֙12 of 29
H853

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

אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם13 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תַּֽעֲשׂ֣וּ14 of 29

do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָהֶ֔ן15 of 29
H0
כַּטּ֖וֹב16 of 29

ye to them as is good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

בְּעֵֽינֵיכֶ֑ם17 of 29

in your eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

רַ֠ק18 of 29
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

לָֽאֲנָשִׁ֤ים19 of 29

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)

הָאֵל֙20 of 29

only unto these

H411

these or those

אַל21 of 29

nothing

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּֽעֲשׂ֣וּ22 of 29

do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

דָבָ֔ר23 of 29
H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

כִּֽי24 of 29
H3588

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

עַל25 of 29
H5921

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

כֵּ֥ן26 of 29
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

בָּ֖אוּ27 of 29

for therefore came

H935

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

בְּצֵ֥ל28 of 29

they under the shadow

H6738

shade, whether literal or figurative

קֹֽרָתִֽי׃29 of 29

of my roof

H6982

a rafter (forming trenches as it were); by implication, a roof


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 19:8 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 19:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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