Genesis 19:2 and said, "My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way." "No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square."

◄ Genesis 19:2 ►

New International Version
“My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”

New Living Translation
“My lords,” he said, “come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again.” “Oh no,” they replied. “We’ll just spend the night out here in the city square.”

English Standard Version
and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.”

Berean Standard Bible
and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”

King James Bible
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

New King James Version
And he said, “Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” And they said, “No, but we will spend the night in the open square.”

New American Standard Bible
And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said, “No, but we shall spend the night in the public square.”

NASB 1995
And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said however, “No, but we shall spend the night in the square.”

NASB 1977
And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said however, “No, but we shall spend the night in the square.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said however, “No, but we shall spend the night in the square.”

Amplified Bible
And he said, “See here, my lords, please turn aside and come into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may get up early and go on your way.” But they said, “No, we shall spend the night in the open plaza [of the city].”

Christian Standard Bible
and said, “My lords, turn aside to your servant’s house, wash your feet, and spend the night. Then you can get up early and go on your way.” “No,” they said. “We would rather spend the night in the square.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and said, “My lords, turn aside to your servant’s house, wash your feet, and spend the night. Then you can get up early and go on your way."” No,” they said. “We would rather spend the night in the square.”

American Standard Version
and he said, Behold now, my lords, turn aside, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your way. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

Contemporary English Version
and said, "Gentlemen, I am your servant. Please come to my home. You can wash your feet, spend the night, and be on your way in the morning." They told him, "No, we'll spend the night in the city square."

English Revised Version
and he said, Behold now, my lords, turn aside, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your way. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He said, "Please, gentlemen, why don't you come to my home and spend the night? [You can] wash your feet there. Then early tomorrow morning you can continue your journey." "No," they answered, "we'd rather spend the night in the city square."

Good News Translation
and said, "Sirs, I am here to serve you. Please come to my house. You can wash your feet and spend the night. In the morning you can get up early and go on your way." But they answered, "No, we will spend the night here in the city square."

International Standard Version
and said, "Look, my lords! Please come inside your servant's house, wash your feet, and spend the night. Then you can get up early and be on your way." But they responded, "No, we would rather spend the night in the town square."

Majority Standard Bible
and said, ?My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.? ?No,? they answered, ?we will spend the night in the square.?

NET Bible
He said, "Here, my lords, please turn aside to your servant's house. Stay the night and wash your feet. Then you can be on your way early in the morning." "No," they replied, "we'll spend the night in the town square."

New Heart English Bible
and he said, "See now, my lords, please turn aside into your servant's house, and stay all night, and wash your feet, then you may rise up early, and go on your way." They said, "No, but we will stay in the street all night."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

World English Bible
and he said, “See now, my lords, please come into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can rise up early, and go on your way.” They said, “No, but we will stay in the street all night.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and he says, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside to the house of your servant, and lodge, and wash your feet—then you have risen early and gone on your way”; and they say, “No, but we lodge in the broad place.”

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith, 'Lo, I pray you, my lords, turn aside, I pray you, unto the house of your servant, and lodge, and wash your feet -- then ye have risen early and gone on your way;' and they say, 'Nay, but in the broad place we do lodge.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Behold now, lords, turn aside now to the house of your servant, and pass the night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise early and go forth to your ways. And they will say, Nay; for in the street we will pass the night.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And said: I beseech you, my lords, turn in to the house of your servant, and lodge there: wash your feet, and in the morning you shall go on your way. And they said: No, but we will abide in the street.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said: “I beg you, my lords, turn aside to the house of your servant, and lodge there. Wash your feet, and in the morning you will advance on your way.” And they said, “Not at all. But we will lodge in the street.”

New American Bible
he said, “Please, my lords, come aside into your servant’s house for the night, and bathe your feet; you can get up early to continue your journey.” But they replied, “No, we will pass the night in the town square.”

New Revised Standard Version
He said, “Please, my lords, turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you can rise early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the square.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And he said, My lords, turn aside, I pray you, into your servant's house and spend the night and wash your feet; then rise up early in the morning and go on your way. And they said, No, we will spend the night in the street.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said, “I beg of you my Lords, turn aside to the house of your Servant and stay the night and wash your feet and rise early, go your way.” And they said, “No, we will stay in the street.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
and he said: 'Behold now, my lords, turn aside, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your way.' And they said: 'Nay; but we will abide in the broad place all night.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Lo! my lords, turn aside to the house of your servant, and rest from your journey, and wash your feet, and having risen early in the morning ye shall depart on your journey. And they said, Nay, but we will lodge in the street.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Lot Welcomes the Angels
1Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown, 2and said, “ My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” 3But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Judges 19:20-21
“Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.” / So he brought him to his house and fed his donkeys. And they washed their feet and ate and drank.

Luke 24:29
But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.

Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,

1 Peter 4:9
Show hospitality to one another without complaining.

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

2 Kings 4:8
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.

Acts 16:15
And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

1 Timothy 3:2
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

1 Timothy 5:10
and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.

1 Kings 17:10-11
So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” / And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.”

2 Samuel 12:4
Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.”

Job 31:32
but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler—

Isaiah 58:7
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and you shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, No; but we will abide in the street all night.

turn.

Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

wash.

Genesis 18:4
Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

Nay.

Judges 19:17-21
And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou? …

Luke 24:28,29
And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further…

Acts 16:15
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

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Genesis 19

1. Lot entertains two angels.
4. The vicious Sodomites are smitten with blindness.
12. Lot is warned, and in vain warns his sons-in-law.
15. He is directed to flee to the mountains, but obtains leave to go into Zoar.
24. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed.
26. Lot's wife looks back and becomes a pillar of salt.
29. Lot dwells in a cave.
31. The incestuous origin of Moab and Ammon.

Berean Study Bible

My lords
The Hebrew word used here is "אֲדֹנָי" (Adonai), which is a term of respect and recognition of authority. In the context of Genesis 19, Lot addresses the visitors with a deep sense of reverence, acknowledging their importance. This reflects the cultural norms of hospitality and respect in ancient Near Eastern societies, where guests were often treated with the utmost honor.

please turn aside
The phrase "please turn aside" is a polite invitation, indicative of the hospitality that was a crucial aspect of ancient Middle Eastern culture. The Hebrew word "סוּרוּ" (suru) implies a gentle urging or request. Lot's insistence on providing shelter underscores the biblical theme of hospitality as a righteous act, aligning with the broader scriptural narrative that emphasizes caring for strangers.

into the house of your servant
Lot refers to himself as a "servant," using the Hebrew word "עֶבֶד" (eved), which denotes humility and a willingness to serve. This self-identification as a servant is significant, as it reflects Lot's understanding of his role in relation to his guests and his desire to honor them. The concept of servanthood is a recurring theme in the Bible, highlighting the virtue of humility and service to others.

wash your feet
Foot washing was a common practice in ancient times, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The act of washing feet, often performed by a host or a servant, was a gesture of welcome and care. It is reminiscent of later biblical narratives, such as Jesus washing the disciples' feet, symbolizing purification, humility, and service.

spend the night
The invitation to "spend the night" reflects the urgency and concern Lot had for the safety of his guests. In the ancient world, nighttime travel was fraught with danger, and offering shelter was a protective measure. This phrase underscores the biblical principle of providing refuge and safety to those in need.

Then you can rise early and go on your way
Lot's suggestion to "rise early and go on your way" indicates his awareness of the potential dangers in Sodom. The phrase suggests a desire for the guests to leave before the city awakens, highlighting Lot's protective instincts. It also reflects the biblical theme of divine timing and guidance, as the visitors' journey is part of a larger divine plan.

No, they answered, we will spend the night in the square
The visitors' initial refusal to stay with Lot, opting instead to "spend the night in the square," serves as a narrative device to highlight the contrast between Lot's hospitality and the city's wickedness. The square, or public space, was typically a place of social gathering, but in Sodom, it was fraught with moral peril. This refusal sets the stage for the unfolding events and underscores the tension between divine protection and human depravity.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) In the street.--That is, the broad open space of the city. (Comp. Judges 19:15; Judges 19:20.) In a warm climate there is little hardship in passing the night in the open air; and as at this early date there were no caravanserais, travellers had to lodge in this way unless they found some hospitable entertainer.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - And he said, Beheld new, my lords, - Adonai (vide Genesis 18:3). As yet Lot only recognized them as men - turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet (cf. Genesis 18:4) and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. Though an act of kindness on the part of Lot, his invitation was not accepted by the angels obviously with a view to try his character (cf. Luke 24:28). And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. Literally, for in the broad open spaces (i.e. the streets of the town) we will pass the night; no great hardship in that climax.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and said,
וַיֹּ֜אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“My lords,
אֲדֹנַ֗י (’ă·ḏō·nay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

please
נָ֠א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

turn aside
ס֣וּרוּ (sū·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the house
בֵּ֨ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of your servant;
עַבְדְּכֶ֤ם (‘aḇ·də·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

wash
וְרַחֲצ֣וּ (wə·ra·ḥă·ṣū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7364: To wash, wash off or away, bathe

your feet
רַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם (raḡ·lê·ḵem)
Noun - fdc | second person masculine plural
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

and spend the night.
וְלִ֙ינוּ֙ (wə·lî·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

Then you can rise early
וְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּ֖ם (wə·hiš·kam·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7925: To load up, to start early in the morning

and go
וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֣ם‪‬ (wa·hă·laḵ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

on your way.”
לְדַרְכְּכֶ֑ם (lə·ḏar·kə·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

“No,”
לֹּ֔א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

they answered,
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“we will spend the night
נָלִֽין׃ (nā·lîn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

in the square.”
בָרְח֖וֹב (ḇā·rə·ḥō·wḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza

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OT Law: Genesis 19:2 And he said See now my lords (Gen. Ge Gn)