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Genesis 19:5 – NASB vs. HCSB vs. ESV
Genesis 19:5
Genesis 19:5 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.”
Genesis 19:5 HCSB 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!”
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.”
Literally the ESV is correct, “to know them.” “To know” contextually means “to have sex” which is how the HCSB plainly puts it. In fact, I like the bluntness of the HCSB here, for there is no decorum with these men of Sodom. The NASB says, “have relations” with, which just doesn’t fit the tone.
“Tone” and context should determine how yada/know is translated. For example, back in Genesis 4:1,
Genesis 4:1 NASB Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD.”
Genesis 4:1 ESV Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.”
Genesis 4:1 HCSB (2004) Adam knew his wife Eve intimately, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the LORD’s help.”
Genesis 4:1 HCSB (2010) Adam was intimate with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the Lord’s help.”
While the ESV and NASB are consistent, the HCSB actually is more contextual in both cases.
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