Gen 18:19 | NETfull | 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 ^{▼▼ Heb “For I have known him.” The verb יָדַע (yada’) 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 ^{▼▼ 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 ^{▼▼ 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 ^{▼▼ Heb “bring on.” The infinitive after לְמַעַן (l^ema’an) indicates result here.} to Abraham what he promised ^{▼▼ Heb “spoke to.”} him.”