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Genesis 19:18 — Word Study

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WLCוַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹט אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אַל־ נָ֖א אֲדֹנָֽי׃

BSABut LotLôwṭ [the nephew of Abraham, covering] repliedʼâmar Noʼal [not so, I pray] my lordsʼĂdônây [masters, rulers] pleasenâʼ [I beseech thee, oh not so]

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 19
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 18 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration ('a.do.Nai) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 19:18quick helps
In a sentenceLot responds to the angels with a plea, asking them not to treat him harshly.
Who is speakingLot, the nephew of Abraham.
Where we areIn the midst of a dramatic rescue from Sodom.
The hard wordאֲדֹנָי
Take awayLot expresses urgency and respect in his plea.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectלוֹט verbאָמַר The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Genesis 19:18

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Rescue of Lotgenerated

17As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”
18But Lot replied, “No, my lords, please!
19Your servant has indeed found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness by sparing my life. But I cannot run to the mountains; the disaster will overtake me, and I will die.
20Look, there is a town nearby where I can flee, and it is a small place. Please let me flee there—is it not a small place? Then my life will be saved.”

Genesis 19:18 occurs during the angels' urgent mission to save Lot from the impending destruction of Sodom. As they lead him to safety, Lot's response reflects both his fear and his respect for the divine messengers, pleading with them not to abandon him in his time of need. This moment highlights the tension between divine judgment and mercy, as seen in the surrounding verses.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 32:26Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
22 Kings 5:11–12But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy.
3Isaiah 45:11Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: “How dare you question Me about My sons, or instruct Me in the work of My hands?
4John 13:6–8He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?”
5Acts 9:13But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:Genesis 32:26 2 Kings 5:11–12 Isaiah 45:11 John 13:6–8 Acts 9:13 Acts 10:14

The Key Word אֲדֹנָי, 'a.do.Naigenerated

The word אֲדֹנָי (Adonay) is a title of respect and authority, often used to refer to God. Its use here signifies Lot's recognition of the angels' power and his submission to their authority. The parsing indicates it is a noun proper, emphasizing its role as a title rather than a common noun.

In this context, Lot's appeal to the angels as אֲדֹנָי underscores his desperation and reverence. The term conveys a sense of urgency, as he implores them to consider his plea, reflecting the gravity of the situation.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The translations of this verse generally agree, using terms like my lords (KJV, ASV) and O Lord (BSB, WEB) to convey Lot's respectful address to the angels.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb וַיֹּ֥אמֶר, and he said, governs the entire verse, with Lot as the subject. The sentence structure indicates that Lot's response is central to the action, emphasizing his direct plea to the angels.

The sentence is composed of a main clause followed by a direct address, showcasing Lot's urgency and the relational dynamics between him and the angels. The order of the words highlights the immediacy of his request.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, וַיֹּ֥אמֶר is rendered as εἶπεν (eipen), which also means 'he said.' This choice maintains the straightforward nature of Lot's speech while aligning with the Greek language's structure.

The translation of אֲדֹנָי as κύριε (kurie) emphasizes the respectful address to the divine, a common practice in Greek translations of Hebrew texts.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 19:18 shows Lot pleading with the angels not to treat him harshly. He acknowledges their authority by calling them 'my lords' and expresses urgency in his request. This moment captures the tension of Lot's situation as he seeks safety from the destruction of Sodom.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does Lot mean by calling the angels 'my lords'?

Lot uses this title to show respect and acknowledge the authority of the angels as divine messengers sent to rescue him.

Why does Lot plead with the angels?

Lot pleads with the angels out of fear for his safety and a desire to be spared from the destruction of Sodom.

What is the significance of Lot's use of 'please'?

The word 'please' indicates Lot's desperation and urgency, as he earnestly requests the angels to reconsider their instructions.

How does this verse reflect the theme of mercy?

This verse illustrates the theme of mercy as Lot seeks compassion from the angels, highlighting God's willingness to save those who call upon Him in dire circumstances.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I recognize authority in my life, and how do I respond to it?
  2. How can I express my needs and requests with the same urgency and respect as Lot did?
  3. What does it mean to me to seek mercy in difficult situations?
  4. How can I show compassion to others who are in desperate need, similar to how the angels showed mercy to Lot?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Cyril of Alexandria comments on this verse, noting the shift from conversation with angels to the Lord, highlighting the theme of divine presence in moments of crisis.

Cyril of AlexandriaCATENA ON Genesis 3.1139 c. 376–444
It seems that now, after the exodus from Sodom, the conversation is no longer with angels but with the Lord. For when one leaves the territory of evil he will find God conversing with him,
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 19 →

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 19:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Lot said unto them,.... Supposing three present, not observing that the two angels had left him that had brought him thither; though it is but to one of them he addresses himself, even to him who

Read John Gill on Genesis 19 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 19 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

i.e. Unto one of them, as is manifest from the following words.

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 19 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 19:18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:Ver. 18. Oh! not so, my Lord.] But who shall prescribe to the Almighty? Or limit the Holy One of Israel? Are we wiser than he? Have we a trick beyond him? He lets us sometimes have our way, but to our woe at last.

Read John Trapp on Genesis 19 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

18. my lord] R.V. marg. O Lord. The Massoretic note here, as in Genesis 18:3, is “holy,” regarding the word as the Divine name. Certainly in this chapter Jehovah is not so directly identified with one of “the men” as in chap. 18. The rendering “my lord” is, perhaps, to be preferred, as in Genesis 18:3. On the other hand, the mention of “Jehovah” in Genesis 19:16, and the words in Genesis 19:22; Genesis 19:24, “I cannot do anything till thou be come thither,” and “Then the Lord rained upon Sodom,” would sufficiently justify the other rendering. Jehovah and His Angel are one, cf. Genesis 16:7 ff. His Presence is in “the two” as in “the three men.”

Read Cambridge on Genesis 19 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

18. My lord — Or, as translated in Genesis 19:2, my lords. The Masorites mark the word here as “holy,” but in Genesis 19:2 as “profane.” But this is scarcely a necessary distinction.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 19 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

But Lot replied, “No, my lords, please!

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Lot said to them, “Oh, not so, my lord.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

But Lot replied, “No, my lords, please!

NETBNew English Translation2006

But Lot said to them, “No, please, Lord!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my lord:

RVARevised Version, American1894

And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my lord:

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And Lot said to them, Oh, not so, my Lord!

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And Lot saide vnto them, Not so, I pray thee, my Lord.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Lot said to them, Not [so], I pray thee, Lord;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And Lot saith unto them, 'Not [so], I pray thee, my lord;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And Lot says to them, “Oh not [so], my lord;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my lord!

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Lot said to them, “No, please, my masters!

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And Lot said to them: I beseech thee my Lord,

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

“Please sir, not that!” Lot replied.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And Lot said to them, Not so, O my Lord;

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וַandclauseverbיֹּ֥אמֶרhe.saidsubjectל֖וֹטLotprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֲלֵtoהֶ֑םthemclauseclauseadverbialאַלnoadverbialנָ֖אpleaseclausenoun phraseאֲדֹנָֽLordיmy

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with four of the six words matched. However, the Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly, using אליהם (to them) instead of the Masoretic אֲלֵהֶם. This indicates a minor variation in the wording but does not alter the overall meaning.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹט אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אַל־ נָ֖א אֲדֹנָֽי׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרεἶπενל֖וֹטλωτאֲלֵהֶ֑םαὐτούςנָ֖אδέομαι

4 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ויאמר לוט אליהם אל נא אדני

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: אליהם (to)

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Genesis 19:18אָמַרand he saidand he saidאָמַרלוֹטLotLotלוֹטאֶלto themto themאֶלאַלmay not [itmay not [it be]אַלנָאpleasepleaseנָאאָדוֹןO LordO LordאָדוֹןלוֹטcoveringcoveringלוֹטלֹאnotnotלֹאאָדוֹןlordlordאָדוֹןכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהיְרֻשָּׁהpossessionpossessionיְרֻשָּׁהרְכוּשׁpropertypropertyרְכוּשׁפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫החָתַתto to be dto to be dismayחָתַתיָרֵאto fearto fearיָרֵאחֵןfavorfavorחֵןעַתָּ֫הnownowעַתָּ֫ה
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Genesis 19:18

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and he said Lot to them may not [it be] please O Lord
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרvai.Yo.mer and he said H559 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he said Lot to them may not [it be] please O Lord
ל֖וֹטLot Lot H3876 Noun proper masculine
33× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Lot was Abraham's nephew, who settled in Sodom and was later rescued by God. His name means covering and he is an important figure in the book of Genesis, particularly in chapters 11-14.
Amplified meaning
the nephew of Abraham, covering
Tyndale gloss
Lot
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לוֹט (Lot) refers to the son of Haran and nephew of Abram, noted for settling in Sodom. The entries highlight his familial connections, including his daughters and descendants, Moab and Ben-ammi. The name is derived from a root meaning 'covering.' He is first mentioned in Genesis 11:27.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לוֹט 33 n.pr.m. Lot son of Haran, and nephew of Abram

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3876 לוֹט Lot son of Haran, and nephew of Abram

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3876 Lowt lote

the same as 3875; Lot, Abraham's nephew:--Lot.

see HEBREW for 03875

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לוֹט (lot) — Lot.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.27;

son of: Haran (H2039);

brother of: Milcah (H4435) and Iscah (H3252);

father of: daughter1_of_Lot (H3876H), daughter2_of_Lot (H3876I), Moab (H4124H), Ben-ammi (H1151)

Also named: Lōt (Λώτ "Lot" G3091)

§ Lot = "covering"

son of Haran and Abraham's nephew who settled in Sodom and was delivered from its destruction by God

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Lot

(Heb. goral, a “pebble”), a small stone used in casting lots (Num. 33:54; Jonah 1:7). The lot was always resorted to by the Hebrews with strictest reference to the interposition of God, and as a method of ascertaining the divine will (Prov. 16:33), and in serious cases of doubt (Esther 3:7). Thus the lot was used at the division of the land of Canaan among the serveral tribes (Num. 26:55; 34:13), at the detection of Achan (Josh. 7:14, 18), the election of Saul to be king (1 Sam. 10:20, 21), the distribution of…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(literally a pebble). The custom of deciding doubtful questions by lot is one of great extent and high antiquity. Among the Jews lots were used with the expectation that God would so control them as to give a right direction to them. They were very often used by God’s appointment. "As to the mode of casting lots, we have no certain information. Probably several modes were practiced." "Very commonly among the Latins little counters of wood were put into a jar with so narrow a neck that only one could come out at a time. After the jar had been filled with water and the contents shaken, the lots were determined by the order in which the bits of wood, representing the several parties, came out with the water. in other cases they were put into a wide open jar, and the counters were drawn out by the hand. Sometimes again they were cast in the manner of dice. The soldiers who cast lots for…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The son of Haran, and nephew of Abraham, followed his uncle from Ur, and afterwards from Haran, to settle in Canaan, Ge 11:31 12:4-6 13:1. Abraham always had a great affection for him, and when they could not continue longer together in Canaan, because they both had large flocks and their shepherds sometimes quarreled, Ge 13:5-7, he gave Lot the choice of his abode. Lot chose the plain of Sodom, which appears then to have been the most fertile parts of the land. Here he continued to dwell till the destruction of Sodom and the adjacent cities. He was a righteous man even in Sodom, 2Pe 2:7; but the calamities consequent upon his choice of this residence-his capture by eastern marauders, the molestation caused by his ungodly and…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Lotan, wrapt up; hidden; covered; myrrh; rosin

and he said Lot to them may not [it be] please O Lord
אֲלֵהֶ֑ם'a.le.Hem to them H413 Preposition · suffix
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3mp
and he said Lot to them may not [it be] please O Lord
אַל־'al- may not [it be] H408 Particle
724× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Amplified meaning
not so, I pray
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

408 'al al

a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified

negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,

nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing

(worth), rather than.

see HEBREW for 03808

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַל (al) — not.

1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

1a) do not, let not (with a verb)

1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)

1c) not, no (with substantive)

1d) nothing (as substantive)

Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
and he said Lot to them may not [it be] please O Lord
נָ֖אna' please H4994 Particle
404× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Amplified meaning
I beseech thee, oh not so
Tyndale gloss
please
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָא (na') is a Hebrew particle used primarily for entreaty or exhortation, meaning 'I pray,' 'now,' or 'please.' It often appears attached to verbs in the imperative or future forms, and can also modify interjections, adverbs, or conjunctions. The entries consistently emphasize its role in expressing a plea or request.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָא part. of entreaty or exhortation, I (we) pray, now (enclitic)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4994 נָא I (we) pray, now (enclitic)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4994 na' naw

a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may

usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly

to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections,

occasionally to an adverb or conjunction:--I beseech (pray)

thee (you), go to, now, oh.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָא (na) — please.

1) I (we) pray, now, please

1a) used in entreaty or exhortation

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTj
and he said Lot to them may not [it be] please O Lord
אֲדֹנָֽי׃'a.do.Nai O Lord H136 Noun proper
440× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Amplified meaning
masters, rulers
Tyndale gloss
Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲדֹנָי (Adonay) means 'Lord' and is an emphatic form of another Hebrew word for lord. It is used specifically as a title for God, often in place of Yahweh to show reverence. Variations include אֲדֹנִי and אֲדֹנַי, which help distinguish divine from human references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָדוֹן n.m. lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H136 אָדוֹן lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

136 'Adonay ad-o-noy'

am emphatic form of 113; the Lord (used as a proper name of

God only):--(my) Lord.

see HEBREW for 0113

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) — Lord.

Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp | Suff — Noun proper
HNpt
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Lord

There are various Hebrew and Greek words so rendered.

(1.) Heb. Jehovah, has been rendered in the English Bible LORD, printed in small capitals. This is the proper name of the God of the Hebrews. The form “Jehovah” is retained only in Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18; Isa. 12:2; 26:4, both in the Authorized and the Revised Version.

(2.) Heb. ‘adon, means one possessed of absolute control. It denotes a master, as of slaves (Gen. 24:14, 27), or a ruler of his subjects (45:8), or a husband, as lord of his wife (18:12).

The old plural form of this Hebrew word is ’adonai. From a superstitious reverence for the name “Jehovah,” the Jews, in reading their Scriptures, whenever that name…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[GOD]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name belongs to God by preeminence; and in this sense ought never to be given to any creature. Jesus Christ, as the Messiah, the Son of God, and equal with the Father, is often called Lord in Scripture, especially in the writing of Paul. The word LORD, in the English Bible, when printed in small capitals, stands always for JEHOVAH in the Hebrew. See JEHOVAH.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ A prince Jos 13:3; Jud 3:3; 1Sa 5:8; 6:4

→ See GOD

→ See JESUS

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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