18:19 I have chosen him52 so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep53 the way of the Lord by doing54 what is right and just. Then the Lord will give55 to Abraham what he promised56 him.”
tnHeb “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.
53
tnHeb “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”).
54
tn The infinitive construct here indicates manner, explaining how Abraham’s children and his household will keep the way of the Lord.
55
tnHeb “bring on.” The infinitive after לְמַעַן (léma’an) indicates result here.
