The men of Sodom desired to forcibly have sexual relations with the angels who came to the city appearing as men. Such action is known as "rape." Their desire was viewed as especially evil because Lot was obligated to protect his guests at all costs, even that of sacrificing his own children for his guests. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#evil)
Hospitality, or being kind to a visitor, was very important in the Ancient Near East. Lot showed his guests loyalty by doing his utmost to protect them from the people of Sodom.
It is probable that Abraham's faith and actions in chapter 18 are intended to contrast with the actions of the worldly Sodomites. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#faith)
The two men who have gone to Sodom (Genesis 18:22) are really angels.
"the entrance to the city of Sodom." The city had a wall around it, and people had to go through a gate to get into it. This was a very important place in a city. Important people often spent time there.
He put his knees on the ground then touched his forehead and nose to the ground.
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: my masters" See how you translated this phrase in Genesis 12:11.
This was a term of respect Lot used for the angels.
"Please come and stay in your servant's house"
Lot refers to himself as their servant in order to show them respect. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
People liked to wash their feet after traveling.
"wake up early"
When the two angels said this, they were referring only to themselves, not to Lot. The two of them planned to spend the night in the square. Some languages would use the exclusive form of "we" here. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)
This is a public, outdoor place in the town.
"they turned and went with him"
"before the people in Lot's house lay down to go to sleep"
"the men of the city, that is, the men of Sodom" or just "the men of the city of Sodom"
"Lot's house"
"from the youngest to the oldest." This means "men of all ages" and refers to the men of Sodom who were surrounding Lot's house.
"that went into your house"
The phrase "know them" is a polite way of saying "have sexual relations with them." The men probably were not trying to be polite. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
"behind him" or "after he went through"
"I plead with you, my brothers"
Lot spoke in a friendly way to the men of the city hoping that they would listen to him. Alternate translation: "my friends" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
"do not do something so wicked" or "do not do such a wicked thing"
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: I" See how you translated this phrase in Genesis 12:11.
This is a polite way of saying that the daughters had not had sexual relations with any man. You may need to use another euphemism in your language. See how you translated similar words in Genesis 4:1. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
"whatever you desire" or "whatever you think is right"
The two men were guests in Lot's home, so he needed to protect them. The word "roof" is a synecdoche for the whole house and a metaphor for Lot protecting them. Alternate translation: "into my house, and God expects me to protect them" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
"Step aside!" or "Get out of our way!"
"This one came here as an outsider" or "This foreigner came to live here"
"Lot." The men are speaking to each other. If this would be unclear in your language, you may have the men speak to Lot here, as in UDB.
The speaker would not expect a foreigner to judge the people of that land. Alternate translation: "but even though he has no good reason to" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
Here "has become our judge" is an idiom that means Lot is acting as if he can tell the men what actions are right or wrong. Alternate translation: "he acts as if he has the authority to tell us what is right and what is wrong" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
"Because you are telling us that what we are doing is wrong, we"
The men are angry that Lot said, "Do not act so wickedly" (Genesis 19:7), so they are threatening to act more wickedly than Lot had feared at first. Alternate translation: "we will act more wickedly with you than we will with them" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
Possible meanings are 1) "They kept coming closer to the man, to Lot, until they were close enough to break down the door" or 2) they physically pushed Lot up against the wall or door of the house and were about to break the door down.
This is two ways of referring to Lot.
"But Lot's two guests" or "But the two angels"
Your language may need to add that the men opened the door first. Alternate translation: 'the men opened the door far enough so they could reach out their hands and pull ... them, and then they shut" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
The phrase "struck with blindness" is a metaphor; the visitors did not physically hit the men. Alternate translation: "Lot's visitors blinded the men" or "they took away their sight" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Possible meanings are 1) this refers to age. Alternate translation: "both the young men and the old men" or 2) this refers to status. Alternate translation: "both the unimportant men and the important men"
This merism emphasizes that the visitors blinded all the men. Alternate translation: "men of all ages" or "men of every status" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-merism)
"Then the two men said" or "Then the angels said"
"Are there any other members of your family in the city?" or "Do you have any other family members in this place?"
"any other members of your family living in this city"
The word "we" here is exclusive. Only the two angels would destroy the city; Lot would not destroy it. If your language has an exclusive form of "we," use it here. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)
This can be reworded so that the abstract noun "accusations" is expressed as a verb. See how similar words are translated in Genesis 18:20. Alternate translation: "so many people have been telling Yahweh that the people of this city are doing evil things" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)
"So Lot left the house"
The phrase "the men who had promised to marry his daughters" explains what "sons-in-law" means here. Alternate translation: "the men who were going to marry his daughters" or "his daughters' fiancés" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-parallelism)
"Just before the sun came up"
"Go now"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "so Yahweh does not also destroy you when he punishes the people of this city" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
God destroying the people of the city is spoken of as if a person were sweeping away dust. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Here "city" stands for the people. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
"But Lot hesitated" or "But Lot did not start to leave"
"So the two men grabbed" or "So the angels grabbed"
"had compassion on Lot." Yahweh is described as being "merciful" because he was sparing the lives of Lot and his family instead of destroying them when he destroyed the people of Sodom for the wrong they had done.
"When the two men had brought Lot's family out"
This is a way of telling them to run so that they do not die. Alternate translation: "Run away and save your lives!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
The phrase "at the city" is understood. Alternate translation: "Do not look back at the city" or "Do not look back at Sodom" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)
This means the plain of the Jordan River. This refers to the general region of the Jordan River.
It is understood that they would swept away with the people of the city. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "or else God will destroy you along with the people of the city" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
God destroying the people of the city is spoken of as if a person were sweeping away dust. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
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The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: your servant" See how you translated this phrase in Genesis 12:11.
The phrase "found favor" is an idiom which means to be approved of by someone. Here "eyes" are a metonym for sight, and sight is a metaphor representing his evaluation. Alternate translation: "you have been pleased with me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Lot was showing respect by referring to himself as "your servant." Alternate translation: "I, your servant, have" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
The abstract noun "kindness" can be stated as "kind." Alternate translation: "you have been very kind to me by saving my life" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)
Being unable to get far enough away from Sodom when God destroys the city is spoken of as if "disaster" is a person that will chase and catch up with Lot. Alternate translation: "My family and I will certainly die when God destroys the people of Sodom, because the mountains are too far away for us to get there safely" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-personification)
It is implied that Lot's family would die along with him. Alternate translation: "our lives ... we cannot escape ... overtake us, and we will die" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
The phrase "See now" indicates that what follows is a polite request for the hearer to pay attention. "Please listen carefully: the city" See how you translated this phrase in Genesis 12:11.
Lot used this rhetorical question to get the angels to notice that the city really is a small one. Alternate translation: "let me escape there. You can see how small it is. If you let us go there we will live" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
Lot's full request can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "instead of destroying that city, let me escape there" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
It is implied that the lives of Lot's family will be saved along with his. This can also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "so that we will live" or "so that we will survive" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
"I will do what you have asked"
This can be made more explicit. Alternate translation: "cannot destroy the other cities" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
Translators may add a footnote that says "The name Zoar sounds like the Hebrew word that means 'little.' Lot called this town 'little' in Genesis 19:20."
"The sun had risen over the earth." The phrase "upon the earth" can be left implicit as it is in the UDB where it is not translated. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
It is implied that Lot's family is with him. Alternate translation: "when Lot and his family arrived at Zoar" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
The phrase "from Yahweh" stands for God's power to cause the sulfur and fire to fall on the city. Alternate translation: "Yahweh caused sulfur and fire to fall from the sky onto Sodom and Gomorrah" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
These two words are used together to describe one object. Alternate translation: "burning sulfur" or "fiery rain" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-hendiadys)
This refers primarily to Sodom and Gomorrah, but also to three other towns.
"the people who lived in the cities"
"she became like a statue of salt" or "her body became like a tall stone of salt." Because she disobeyed the angel who told them not to look back at the city, God caused her to become something like a statue made out of rock salt.
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The word "behold" draws attention to the surprising information that follows.
This shows that it was a very large amount of smoke. Alternate translation: "like the smoke from a very large fire" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile)
Verse 29 is a summary of this chapter.
This tells why God rescued Lot. To "call to mind" is a way of saying "remember." This does not imply that God forgot about Abraham. It means he considered Abraham and had mercy on him. Alternate translation: "God thought about Abraham and had mercy on him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
"away from the destruction" or "away from danger"
The phrase "went up from" is used because Lot went to a higher elevation in the mountains.
Here "firstborn" and "younger" are nominal adjectives that refer to Lot's two daughters according to their birth order. Alternate translation: "Lot's first daughter ... Lot's last daughter" or "The older daughter ... the younger daughter" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-nominaladj)
These words are a euphemism for sexual relations. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
Here "the world" stands for the people. Alternate translation: "as people everywhere do" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
It can be made explicit that their goal was to get him drunk. Alternate translation: "drink wine until he gets drunk" or "get drunk with wine" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
To "lie with" someone is a euphemism for having sexual relations with that person. Alternate translation: "we will have sexual relations with him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
This speaks about giving Lot descendants as if his family were a line that they are making longer. Alternate translation: "so that we can bear children who will be our father's descendants" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
This is probably a euphemism for sexual activity. Alternate translation:"had sexual relations with her father" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
Possible meanings are 1) these words are literal, a complement to "when she got up," or 2) they are a euphemism for sexual relations. Alternate translation: "when she had sexual relations with him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
The phrase "lay with" is a euphemism meaning that she had sexual relations with her father. Alternate translation: "I had sexual relations with my father ... have sexual relations with him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
See how you translated these phrases in Genesis 19:32.
It can be made explicit that their goal was to get him drunk. Alternate translation: "drink wine until he gets drunk" or "get drunk with wine" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
This speaks about giving Lot descendants as if his family were a line that they are making longer. Alternate translation: "so that we can bear children who will be our father's descendants" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
See how you translated similar phrases in Genesis 19:33.
This is probably a euphemism for sexual activity. Alternate translation:"had sexual relations with him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
Possible meanings are 1) these words are literal, a complement to "when she got up," or 2) they are a euphemism for sexual relations. See how these words are translated in Genesis 19:33. Alternate translation: "when she had sexual relations with him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
"became pregnant by their father" or "conceived children with their father"
"He is"
"the Moab people who are now living"
The word "today" refers to the time when the author of Genesis was living. The author was born and wrote this many years after Lot's family lived and died.
This is a male name. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
"the descendants of Ammon" or "the Ammon people"