Verse

Genesis 19:5

ESV And they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them."
NIV They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."
NASB and they called to Lot and said to him, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.'
CSB They called out to Lot and said, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so we can have sex with them!"
NLT They shouted to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!'
KJV And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
NKJV And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.

What does Genesis 19:5 mean?

Every single man in the city of Sodom has gathered and surrounded Lot's house. They know he has welcomed two travelers into his home. The men of Sodom don't know these strangers are angels disguised in human form, sent from God to confirm the sins of Sodom in preparation for God's judgment.

The men of Sodom demonstrate their wickedness in the most grotesque and obvious way possible. They demand for Lot to send the strangers out, so they may "know" them. This language is a commonly-used Hebrew euphemism for sex. Despite absurd claims to the contrary, the "knowledge" sought here is not curiosity or friendliness. Lot's reaction, shown in the next two verses, proves this: he will beg the men not to "act so wickedly." The violent and angry response of this same crowd proves the point even further. The context of this passage makes the situation absolutely clear: the men of Sodom want Lot to turn his guests over for sexual purposes.
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