What Does Genesis 19:18 Mean in the King James?

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

Genesis 19:18 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Lot’s refusal does not cancel his recognition of authority: “not so” and “my Lord” remain in the same plea.

THE MEANING

Your refusal can be audible before your explanation is complete. You can address the authority before you and still say, “not so”; the reason and the alternative remain unstated in this verse.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This unsettles the idea that saying no necessarily breaks the relationship: Lot’s refusal still speaks through an address of deference.

THE ROOT

אֲדֹנָי

ʾădōnāy

GROWS FROM

אדן

Lord, master, or owner, one with authority.

“my Lord” in this verse is ʾădōnāy. The address draws on the word for a master or lord. Lot’s refusal does not erase that authority; the same plea holds resistance and recognition together.

ALSO GROWS

ʾādôn: Lord or master.

אָדוֹן

This is the singular form behind the address Lot uses.

ʾădōnîm: Lords or masters; the plural form of adon.

אֲדֹנִים

The same word family names those who hold authority, giving “my Lord” the weight of a direct appeal.

THE PATTERN

An instruction can meet an objection addressed directly to the authority giving it.

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

Exodus 4:10 · KJVMoses answers his commission by naming the limit he sees, while still addressing the LORD directly.

And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

Judges 6:15 · KJVGideon responds to a charge with an objection about his capacity, addressed to the one who gave it.

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

Acts 10:14 · KJVPeter’s direct “Not so, Lord” makes his resistance and his address of authority audible in the same sentence.

THE THREAD

And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

Genesis 18:3 · KJV

Abraham’s earlier appeal uses the same Hebrew ⁨אֲדֹנָי⁩ (ʾădōnāy, “my Lord”) and ⁨נָא⁩ (nāʾ, “please”) that appear in Lot’s plea. The shared address can carry welcome or resistance: the same words make room for a direct appeal.

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