Gen 18:19 | NET2full | STEP | I have chosen him so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just . Then the Lord will give to Abraham what he promised him.”

‏ Genesis 18:19

19 I have chosen him ^{▼▼tn Heb “For I have known him.” The verb יָדַע (yadaʿ) here means “to recognize and treat in a special manner, to choose” (see Amos 3:2). It indicates that Abraham stood in a special covenantal relationship with the Lord.} so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep ^{▼▼tn Heb “and they will keep.” The perfect verbal form with vav consecutive carries on the subjective nuance of the preceding imperfect verbal form (translated “so that he may command”).} the way of the Lord by doing ^{▼▼tn The infinitive construct here indicates manner, explaining how Abraham’s children and his household will keep the way of the Lord.} what is right and just. Then the Lord will give ^{▼▼tn Heb “bring on.” The infinitive after לְמַעַן (lemaʿan) indicates result here.} to Abraham what he promised ^{▼▼tn Heb “spoke to.”} him.”