Genesis 19:8

Genesis 19:8

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 my roof.

a. NLT: Look, I have two virgin daughters. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do with them as you wish. But please, leave these men alone, for they are my guests and are under my protection.”

b. NIV: Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”

c. Amplified Bible: Look now, I have two daughters who are virgins; let me, I beg of you, bring them out to you, and you can do as you please with them. But only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.

d. Septuagint: But I have two daughters, who have not known a man. I will bring them out to you, and do ye use them as it may please you, only do not injury to these men, to avoid which they came under the shelter of my roof.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: See now, I have two daughters who have never known a man. I shall bring them out to you and do to them as you please; but to these men do nothing inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.

1. “Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man…”

a. two [8147 * shnayim] [Strong: dual of 8145; feminine shttayim {shet-tah'-yim}; two; also (as ordinal) twofold:--both, couple, double, second, twain, + twelfth, + twelve, + twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.]

b. daughters [1323 * bath] [Strong: from 1129 (as feminine of 1121); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively):--apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, X first, X old, + owl, town, village.]

c. not known [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.

d. man [376 * ‘iysh] [Strong: contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); 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):--also, another, any (man), a certain, + champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people, person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

2. “…let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes…”

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. do ye to them [6213 * ‘asah] [Strong: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin, spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be (warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.]

c. as is good [2896 * towb] [Strong: from 2895; 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 or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well):--beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ((-favoured)).]

d. in your eyes [5869 * ‘ayin] [Strong: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, + think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, + displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble, knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please, presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, + think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).

1). Why did Lot do this? I do not pretend to understand fully why Lot would offer his virgin daughters to this mob to be gang raped. It is unthinkable to me that he would do this.  Lot’s actions reveal he believed the situation was completely out of control, it seems he was motivated by fear, and made the unthinkable offer of his daughters. As horrible as it was, the offering of his daughters bolsters the point that Lot was protesting more about the homosexual aspect of their request than anything else. Perhaps the following can give a small amount of light on Lot’s dicision making. Twice in two verses, 2 Peter 2:7 & 2 Peter 2:8, the Bible calls Lot righteous. (The word for “just” in this verse and “righteous”, in the next verse are the same Greek word).

a). 2 Peter 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

(1) vexed (2669 * kataponeo)Pain, toil, to wear out or down by labor…to be vexed, weary, oppressed, afflicted.

(2) filthy (766 * aselgeia) licentious, brutal, license, sexual excess, absence of restraint, insatiable desire for pleasure…perversion in general.

(3) conversation [391 * anastrophe][Thayer: manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment.]

(4) wicked [113 * athesmos; a-without; thesmos-a law][Zodhiates; Lawless, not in conformity to acceptable custom. The homosexuals of Sodom and Gommorah are called athesmoi, KJV “wicked”.]

(5) Notice the Greek definitions. Lot and no doubt his family were oppressed, afflicted and worn down by the behavior of the inhabitants of Sodom, their neighbors. Their behavior was sometimes brutal, with no restraint they behaved in an insatiable desire for perverse sexual pleasure. It was the constant witnessing of these actions that wore Lot down and probable led him to make decisions otherwise he never would have made. The next verse in 2 Peter gives more information that no doubt led to these extremely poor decisions.

b). 2 Peter 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds:)

(1) vexed (928 * basanizo) To torture, afflict with pain, vex, harass. (2 Peter 2:8, used metaphorically, to examine, scrutinize, either by words or physical torment.

(2) The definitions reveal that the people of Sodom purposely did things and said things in front of Lot just to bother him. Their behavior was sometimes brutal, and with no restraint they behaved in an insatiable desire for perverse sexual pleasure. They behaved this way in front of him just to see his reaction. See more in my notes on 2 Peter 2:7, 8.

c). Another factor that must be taken into account is that Lot and his family lived around and in Sodom for over twenty years. His children were probably born and raised there. Lot began to live there shortly after he and Abram separated after leaving Egypt, when Abram was between 75-80 years old. Even at that point Sodom’s reputation was already well known and Lot already knew it, Why he chose to go there in spite of this knowledge indicates to me bad reasoning. This was a bad choice and probably the first of many that eventually brought Lot and his family to ruin.

(1) Genesis 13:1-11 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.

And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;

Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.

And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.

And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.

And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.

d). Lot, his wife and two daughters were miraculously rescued by the same two angels who destroyed the cities, but because of disobedience to the angel’s commands, his wife was consumed in the destruction. After retreating to a cave, his daughters got Lot drunk and committed incest with him. All this is a result of living in an ungodly culture. See my notes on 2 Peter 2:7, 8.

(1)   1 Corinthians 15:33 [English Standard Version] Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

(2)   2 Timothy 2:16, 17 [NLT] Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.

2:17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus.

2). What did Lot see and hear for over twenty years? Part of what he saw and heard is revealed in the following Scriptures.

 a). Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

(1) declare [5046 * nagad][Strongs: to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.]

(2) Remember that the context is sin so the various definitions fit right in with the NIV use of the word “parade”. “To boldly stand out (in their sin), to announce (their sin) by word of mouth, to proclaim (their sin), to celebrate (their sin) with praise”, are all very revealing. They did all this in front of Lot to vex him. Another thing Lot and his family probably “saw” and “heard” on a daily basis is revealed in Zephaniah. In Scripture, when any person or people received the same judgment as someone else it was because they were guilty of the same offense. Likewise, in the following example, Moab and Ammon received the similar judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah in that their land is a “perpetual desolation”.

b). Zephaniah 2:8-10  I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.

Therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts.

(1) Moab and Ammon were guilty of some of the same sins as Sodom and Gomorrah. They reviled reproached and magnified themselves against God’s people. In order to get a better understanding the Hebrew definitions need to be looked at. Because Lot was a believer he was subjected on a daily basis to abusive, slanderous language; they heaped reproach, scorn, contempt upon him; they taunted him while at the same time they celebrated their own selves. As Lot lived among them from day to day, he experienced all these things. The inhabitants of Sodom, his neighbors, these people did things in front of him not only to harass and to torture him but to see how he would react. Over the twenty years he lived among them it wore him down and surely contributed to him making decisions he would not otherwise have made.

(2) revilings [1421 * guddupah][Strongs: to use abusive, slanderous language about someone, to scornfully insult.]

(3) reproach [2781 * cherpah][Strongs: a scornful insult.][Gesenius: reproach, scorn, contempt, taunt, scorn (upon enemy), reproach (resting upon condition of shame, disgrace).]

(4) magnified [1431 * gadal][Strong: to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride):--advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, be(-come, do, give, make, wax), great(-er, come to...estate, + things), grow(up),increase, lift up, magnify(-ifical), be much set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly (spoken)…][ Gesenius: To twist together, to bind together,to be or become great, it is applied to riches and power, to be celebrated with praises, to cause and take care that anything should grow and become great.]

3. “…only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under my roof.”

a. only unto these [411  * ‘el] [Strong: a demonstrative particle (but only in a plural sense) these or those:--these, those.]

b. 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.]

c. do [6213 * ‘asah] [Strong: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin, spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be (warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.]

d. nothing [A combination of two Hebrew words] [408 * ‘al] [Strong:  a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than.]

[1697 * dabar] Strong: dabar daw-baw' from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, + dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, + eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt, + iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, + please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that, X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings, what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.]