Genesis 19:9

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙
And they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֖וּ
Stand
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
#3
הָ֗לְאָה
back
to the distance, i.e., far away; also (of time) thus far
#4
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙
And they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
הָֽאֶחָ֤ד
again This one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#6
בָּֽא
fellow came in
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#7
לָגוּר֙
to sojourn
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);
#8
שָׁפ֔וֹט
and he will needs
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#9
שָׁפ֔וֹט
and he will needs
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
#10
עַתָּ֕ה
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
#11
נָרַ֥ע
now will we deal worse
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
#12
לְךָ֖
H0
#13
מֵהֶ֑ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#14
וַיִּפְצְר֨וּ
with thee than with them And they pressed
to peck at, i.e., (figuratively) stun or dull
#15
בָאִ֤ישׁ
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#16
בְּלוֹט֙
even Lot
lot, abraham's nephew
#17
מְאֹ֔ד
sore
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
#18
וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֖וּ
Stand
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
#19
לִשְׁבֹּ֥ר
to break
to burst (literally or figuratively)
#20
הַדָּֽלֶת׃
the door
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

Analysis

This verse develops the creation and providence theme central to Genesis. The concept of divine revelation reflects God's absolute sovereignty over all existence. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to foundational narrative establishing God's relationship with creation and humanity, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

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