Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised."

◄ Genesis 18:19 ►

New International Version
For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”

New Living Translation
I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”

English Standard Version
For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

Berean Standard Bible
For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”

King James Bible
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

New King James Version
For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”

New American Standard Bible
For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”

NASB 1995
“For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”

NASB 1977
“For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
For I have known him, so that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of Yahweh to do righteousness and justice, so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”

Amplified Bible
For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and [the sons of] his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is righteous and just, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised him.”

Christian Standard Bible
For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. This is how the LORD will fulfill to Abraham what he promised him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. This is how the LORD will fulfill to Abraham what He promised him.”

American Standard Version
For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Jehovah, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Jehovah may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Contemporary English Version
I have chosen him to teach his family to obey me forever and to do what is right and fair. If they do, I will give Abraham many descendants, just as I promised."

English Revised Version
For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; to the end that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his family after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. In this way I, the LORD, will do what I have promised Abraham."

Good News Translation
I have chosen him in order that he may command his sons and his descendants to obey me and to do what is right and just. If they do, I will do everything for him that I have promised."

International Standard Version
Indeed, I've made myself known to him in order that he may encourage his sons and his household that is born after him to keep the way of the LORD, and to do what is right and just, so that the LORD may bring about for Abraham what he has promised."

Majority Standard Bible
For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.?

NET Bible
I have chosen him so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Then the LORD will give to Abraham what he promised him."

New Heart English Bible
For I have made myself known to him, so that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of God, to do righteousness and justice, so that God may bring to Abraham that which he has spoken to him."

Webster's Bible Translation
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they will keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

World English Bible
For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Yahweh may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
For I have known him, that he commands his children, and his house after him (and they have kept the way of YHWH), to do righteousness and judgment, that YHWH may bring on Abraham that which He has spoken concerning him.”

Young's Literal Translation
for I have known him, that he commandeth his children, and his house after him (and they have kept the way of Jehovah), to do righteousness and judgment, that Jehovah may bring on Abraham that which He hath spoken concerning him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For I know him, for that he will command his sons and his house after him; and they watched the way of Jehovah to do justice and judgment, for Jehovah to bring upon Abraham what he spake to him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For I know that he will command his children, and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord, and do judgment and justice: that for Abraham's sake the Lord may bring to effect all the things he hath spoken unto him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I know that he will instruct his sons, and his household after him, to keep to the way of the Lord, and to act with judgment and justice, so that, for the sake of Abraham, the Lord may bring about all the things that he has spoken to him.”

New American Bible
Indeed, I have singled him out that he may direct his children and his household in the future to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD may put into effect for Abraham the promises he made about him.

New Revised Standard Version
No, for I have chosen him, that he may charge his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; so that the LORD may bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For I know him well, and that he will command his children and his household after him, to keep the ways of the LORD, to do justice and righteousness; for the LORD shall fulfil for Abraham the thing that he has spoken concerning him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because I know him, that he commands his children and the children in his house after him, so that they keep the ways of LORD JEHOVAH to do righteousness and judgment, because LORD JEHOVAH shall bring on Abraham what he said about him.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For I know that he will order his sons, and his house after him, and they will keep the ways of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraam all things whatsoever he has spoken to him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Abraham Begs for Sodom
…18Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed. 19For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.” 20Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous,…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Joshua 24:15
But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Psalm 78:5-7
For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children / that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 4:9-10
Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. / The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”

1 Samuel 2:30
Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.

1 Kings 2:3-4
And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn, / and so that the LORD may fulfill His promise to me: ‘If your descendants take heed to walk faithfully before Me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’

Malachi 2:15
Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

2 Timothy 3:15
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Acts 10:2
He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly.

Hebrews 11:17-19
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.

Romans 4:12
And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Galatians 3:29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

Isaiah 38:19
The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.

Treasury of Scripture

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.

For I.

2 Samuel 7:20
And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.

Psalm 1:6
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 11:4
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

command.

Genesis 17:23-27
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him…

Deuteronomy 4:9,10
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; …

Deuteronomy 6:6,7
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: …

that the.

1 Samuel 2:30,31
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed…

Acts 27:23,24,31
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, …

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Genesis 18

1. The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels.
9. Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son.
16. The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham.
23. Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants.

Berean Study Bible

For I have chosen him
This phrase underscores God's sovereign election of Abraham. The Hebrew root word for "chosen" is "יָדַע" (yada), which often means "to know" or "to acknowledge." In this context, it implies an intimate selection and a purposeful relationship. God's choice of Abraham is not arbitrary but is rooted in His divine plan to establish a covenant people through whom all nations would be blessed. This choice reflects God's grace and His intention to work through individuals to fulfill His redemptive purposes.

so that he will command his children and his household after him
The phrase emphasizes the importance of generational faithfulness. The Hebrew word for "command" is "צָוָה" (tsavah), which means to give orders or to instruct. Abraham's role is not just personal but extends to his family and household, indicating the communal aspect of faith. This reflects the biblical principle that faith is to be taught and passed down, ensuring that the knowledge and worship of God continue through successive generations. It highlights the responsibility of parents to lead their families in the ways of the Lord.

to keep the way of the LORD
"Keep" comes from the Hebrew "שָׁמַר" (shamar), meaning to guard, observe, or give heed. "The way of the LORD" refers to living according to God's commandments and principles. This phrase suggests a lifestyle of obedience and devotion, aligning one's actions with God's will. It implies a journey or path that one must follow, marked by righteousness and justice. The "way of the LORD" is a central theme in Scripture, calling believers to live in a manner that reflects God's character and purposes.

by doing what is right and just
This phrase highlights the ethical and moral dimensions of faith. "Right" and "just" are translated from the Hebrew words "צְדָקָה" (tsedaqah) and "מִשְׁפָּט" (mishpat), respectively. "Tsedaqah" often refers to righteousness, a life in conformity with God's standards. "Mishpat" denotes justice, the fair and equitable treatment of others. Together, they encapsulate the biblical call to live in a way that honors God and respects others, embodying the values of the kingdom of God. This reflects the heart of the covenant relationship, where God's people are to mirror His holiness and justice in the world.

so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him
This phrase connects obedience with the fulfillment of God's promises. The Hebrew word for "bring about" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), meaning to do or make. It indicates that God's promises are contingent upon Abraham's faithfulness. The promises to Abraham include numerous descendants, land, and blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:2-3). This underscores the biblical principle that while God's promises are sure, their realization often involves human cooperation and obedience. It serves as a reminder of the faithfulness of God to His word and the importance of living in alignment with His will to experience His blessings.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19) For I know him, that he will.--This translation has most of the Versions in its favour, and means that Abraham's good conduct earns for him the Divine condescension. But the Hebrew is, For I have known him in order that he may command his sons, &c. It gives God foreknowledge of the purpose for which He had called Abraham as the reason for thus revealing to him the method of the Divine justice. And this purpose was, that from Abraham should spring a nation whose institutions were to be fraught with Divine truth, whose prophets were to be the means of revealing God's will to man, and of whom, as concerning the flesh, the Messiah should come. What more fitting than that one appointed to fill so noble a calling should also be raised to the rank of a prophet, and be permitted to share in the Divine counsels? This rendering closely agrees with what is said in Genesis 18:18 about Abraham growing into a mighty nation; and it was the unique and high purpose for which this nation was to be called into being which brought Abraham into so close a relation to Jehovah.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 19. - For I know him, that - literally, for I have known (or chosen, יָדַע being - dilexi, as in Amos 3:2) him to the end that (לְמַעַן conveying the idea of purpose; vide Ewald, § 357), the language expressing the idea that Abraham had been the object of Divine foreknowledge and election (Gesenius, Rosenmüller, Delitzsch, Keil, Oehler, Kalisch, Lange), although the reading of the text is substantially adopted by many (LXX., Vulgate, Targums, Luther, Calvin, Dathe, et alii). The latter interpretation assigns as the reason of the Divine communication the knowledge which Jehovah then possessed of Abraham's piety; the former grounds the Divine resolution on the prior fact that Divine grace had elected him to the high destiny described in the language following. It is generally agreed that this clause connects with Ver. 17; Bush regards it as exhibiting the means by which the future promised to Abraham in Ver. 18 should be realized - he will (rather, may) command his children and his household after him (by parental authority as well as by personal example), and they shall keep (rather, that they may keep) the way of the Lord, - i.e. the religion of Jehovah (cf. Judges 2:22; 2 Kings 21:22; Psalm 119:1; Acts 18:25), of which the practical outcome is - to do justice and judgment; - or righteousness and judgment, that which accords with right or the sense of oughtness in intelligent and moral beings, and that which harmonizes with the Divine law (cf. Ezekiel 18:5) - that (literally, to the end that, in order that, לְמַעַן, ut supra) the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I have chosen
יְדַעְתִּ֗יו (yə·ḏa‘·tîw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

him,
לְמַעַן֩ (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

so that
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he will command
יְצַוֶּ֜ה (yə·ṣaw·weh)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

his children
בָּנָ֤יו (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

and
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

his household
בֵּיתוֹ֙ (bê·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

after
אַחֲרָ֔יו (’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

him to keep
וְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙ (wə·šā·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the way
דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

by doing
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

what is right
צְדָקָ֖ה (ṣə·ḏā·qāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

and just,
וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט (ū·miš·pāṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

in order that
לְמַ֗עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

may bring
הָבִ֤יא (hā·ḇî)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

upon
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Abraham
אַבְרָהָ֔ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

what
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

He has promised.?
דִּבֶּ֖ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

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OT Law: Genesis 18:19 For I have known him to (Gen. Ge Gn)