King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:9 Mean?

Genesis 19:9 in the King James Version says “And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now wi...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 19:9 · KJV

Context

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.

11

And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will need... 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. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙1 of 20

“And they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֖וּ2 of 20

“Stand”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

הָ֗לְאָה3 of 20

“back”

H1973

to the distance, i.e., far away; also (of time) thus far

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙4 of 20

“And they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָֽאֶחָ֤ד5 of 20

“again This one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בָּֽא6 of 20

“fellow came in”

H935

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

לָגוּר֙7 of 20

“to sojourn”

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

שָׁפ֔וֹט8 of 20

“and he will needs”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

שָׁפ֔וֹט9 of 20

“and he will needs”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

עַתָּ֕ה10 of 20
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

נָרַ֥ע11 of 20

“now will we deal worse”

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

לְךָ֖12 of 20
H0
מֵהֶ֑ם13 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וַיִּפְצְר֨וּ14 of 20

“with thee than with them And they pressed”

H6484

to peck at, i.e., (figuratively) stun or dull

בָאִ֤ישׁ15 of 20
H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

בְּלוֹט֙16 of 20

“even Lot”

H3876

lot, abraham's nephew

מְאֹ֔ד17 of 20

“sore”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֖וּ18 of 20

“Stand”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

לִשְׁבֹּ֥ר19 of 20

“to break”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

הַדָּֽלֶת׃20 of 20

“the door”

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

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 19:9 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 19:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 2:142 Peter 2:7-8Genesis 13:12Ecclesiastes 9:3Jeremiah 6:15Acts 7:26-28

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