Genesis 19:5

Genesis 19:5

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.

a. NLT: They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!”

b. NIV: They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

c. Amplified Bible: And they called to Lot and said, Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know (be intimate with) them.

d. Septuagint: And they called out Lot, and said to him, Where are the men that went in to thee this night? bring them out to us that we may be with them.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them.”

1. “And they called unto Lot, and said unto him…”

a. and they called [7121 * qara’] [Strong: a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.]

1). According to Blue Letter Bible this Hebrew word is used over 700 times in the Old Testament. Translated “call” 528 times, “cry’ 98 times, “proclaim” 36 times.

b. Lot [3876 * Lowt] [Strong: the same as 3875; Lot, Abraham's nephew:--Lot.]

c. said unt him [559 * ‘amar] [Strong: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.]

2. “…Where are the men which came in to thee this night…”

a. men [582 * ‘enowsh] [Strong:  from 605; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively):--another, X (blood-)thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, X in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ( X of them), + stranger, those, + their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word.]

b. which came in [935 * bow’] [Strong: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, + besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken (in age), X surely, take (in), way.]

c. this night [3915 * layil] [Strong: from the same as 3883; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity:--((mid-))night (season).]

3. “…Bring them out unto us, that we may know them.”

a. Bring them out [3318 * yatsa’] [Strong: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.:--X after, appear, X assuredly, bear out, X begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), + be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, X scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, X still, X surely, take forth (out), at any time, X to (and fro), utter.]

b. that we may know them [3045 * yada] [Strong: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), X will be, wist, wit, wot.]

1). In Scripture this word is used in a great variety of senses; figuratively, literally, euphemistically, causatively, and inference.  In Exodus 2:4, it is translated “see” and it means to acquire knowledge.  In Job 5:25, it is translated “know” and means “to know by experience”.  Examples of each sense where this word is used are too numerous to mention here.  But it is clear in what sense the word is used in Genesis19:5.  In William Gesenius’s Hebrew-Chaldean Lexicon, it is listed as a “euphemism for sexual intercourse”.  It is used this way in Genesis 4:1, “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain,” Likewise in Genesis 4:17, “And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch…”  Gesenius writes, “…verbs of knowing are frequently employed for this euphemism in other languages.”  He then lists examples in Syrian, Arabic, Ethiopian, Greek, Latin, Italian, and French.