Genesis 19 - Page 2

Page 1 of Genesis 19 Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers - Verse 4

4. a) This verse starts with, “Before they will lay down…” The sentence has no ending. Why is this fragment placed at this point in the text?

This sets the scene about to take place; and it gives a haunting statement. It wasn’t long after sunset or at sunset that the folks from the edge began their approach to Lot’s house. Those from the edge are coming under the cover of darkness. Those folks from the edge knew that the travelers, the sojourners, were tired.

4. b) Were all the men of the city participant in this event?

Only those “from the edge” were participant.

4. c) What does “from the edge” mean?

I propose that the edge isn’t referring to a physical location, but instead to a social standing. These folks were not demonstrating behaviours of the majority in this city; they were from the minority: “the fringe element.”

4. d) What does “were compassed upon” the house mean?

The men surrounded the house.

4. e) Why did they surround the house?

They determined to keep anyone from escaping. This was a mob intent upon grabbing the sojourners.

4. f) The text states that the men were from young unto old. What does this mean?

All age groups of males (no females involved) were looking for a night of sexual fun with these sojourners. This sexual form was coerced: it was violent. The normal result will be that the sojourners are raped to death.

4. g) Define people as used in the Bible:

This word, being singular and not plural (unless peoples is used) indicates a group of individuals who share a common culture.

4. h) How many cultures were represented in those from the edge, according to this verse?

One! One culture was represented: that of the edge culture: homosexual rapists.

5. a) How did these folks from the edge know that the men came unto Lot that night?

Some of them saw or reported that Lot had taken them while it was still daylight, and that he had taken them to his home. Lot had been at the city gates where judging was taking place. Even one of the other judges could have been one of these folks from the edge.

5. b) Why did they ask, “Where are the men” when they knew where the men were?

The men were not in sight, being in the house. The question implies that the men’s location must change to the outside of the house. The question itself is intimidating, or is intended to be intimidating.

5. c) Why didn’t they wait for a reply to the first question before continuing with their command?

They knew the answer. The command was enforced by the intimidation.

5. d) The command, “Cause them to exit unto us” implies what?

It implies that Lot must be the reason for the men exiting to be used by these folks from the edge! It also implies a threat.

5. e) Who is being commanded to cause them to exit?

This command is to Lot himself, and not to anyone else. They commanding the leader of the house to cause these men to exit.

5. f) Why did they give away their intent along with the command?

They were not ashamed; they had no fear. They didn’t mind announcing their goal for the sojourners.

5. g) What does knew mean in this verse?

It means to screw: to sexually be intimate with someone. This word indicates intimacy. The Hebrew word for know either indicates information along with understanding, or intimacy, often of a sexual nature, but not always.

5. h) Why is, “And we knew them” in the past tense, seeing that they hadn’t known them?

In Hebrew, when a statement or command is made in a future or present tense, and is directly followed by a past tense form related to what was said, this indicates certainty. In this case, #1: cause them to exit unto us; #2: Certainty: “We knew them!” This is a normal formula in Biblical Hebrew. If ‘A’ occurs, ‘B’ is certain to follow.

5. i) What is their intent?

Their intent is to rape them.

6. a) Why did Lot exit unto them? Wasn’t this, well, crazy?

Lot was a judge! He knew that he wouldn’t be raped. He had clout in that city! He had determined to appeal to them.

6. b) To what opening did Lot exit?

It was the opening of the door of the house.

6. c) Was the door already open, or did Lot open the door?

Verse 5 states that they called unto Lot. The text doesn’t say whether the door was already open. It was a warm night. This location is the lowest below sea level place on Earth. His house would have had windows that would be open.

6. d) Why did Lot shut the door after him?

That would keep the men from the edge from just charging past Lot. This also shows Lot’s intent to protect the inhabitants. Doing what he did would have affected those men, seeing that Lot showed obvious distrust of them. Lot was very brave.

7. a) What does na again mean?

It is a Hebrew particle (that is, a word that has no other form and takes no other form) that indicates a softness to what is being said. What Lot said could have sounded like a demand. Therefore, the word na shows that Lot wasn’t demanding; he was appealing. This word removes the potential for understanding his communication as belligerent.

7. b) Define the word brethren as used in the Bible:

Depending on context, this word can be one or more of the following: