Genesis 19:5
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The men of Sodom demand that Lot bring out the strangers so they may know them carnally.
Context
The men call out to Lot, demanding the release of his guests. The phrase 'that we may know them' refers to sexual relations. Their demand reveals the sexual violence that characterizes Sodom's moral state.
What Does Genesis 19:5 Mean?
The men call out to Lot, demanding the release of his guests. The phrase 'that we may know them' refers to sexual relations. Their demand reveals the sexual violence that characterizes Sodom's moral state.
This demand represents a violation of the most basic laws of hospitality and human dignity. The men's claim on the strangers, despite being guests in Lot's home, shows their willingness to transgress fundamental boundaries of protection and respect.
In the Original Language
know (יָדַע, yada) — to know sexually; the Hebrew word encompasses both innocent and intimate knowledge