So the men: So suggests a conclusion based on the speech of the LORD. However, the men has not been the subject of any verb since verse 16. It is better to begin here with a transition to a new development, as in Good News Translation “Then.” We may also say “After that,” “Later.” The men is plural, as in verse 16; however, there it referred to all three of the visitors, but now it appears to refer to only two of them, since the LORD remained to talk with Abraham. Note also that in 19.1 it is “two angels” who later arrive in Sodom. Accordingly Good News Translation and others translate “the two men” in verse 22. Some translations say “the other two” or “the two angels.” See comments on 18.2.

Turned from there, and went toward Sodom: turned has the sense of turning away from the others as they depart, and so we may say “left,” “departed,” “set out.” Since this departure is in fact a continuation of the journey that began in verse 16, some translations say “kept going….” Went toward Sodom means they walked in the direction of the town of Sodom.

But Abraham still stood before the LORD: according to the tradition of Hebrew textual scholars, the original text was “The LORD stood before Abraham.” However, because this did not seem to express the proper reverence, scribes corrected or changed it to say “Abraham stood before the LORD.” This wording is also found in the Septuagint. Translations vary in the handling of this sentence. Good News Translation and others retain the LORD as subject: “But the LORD remained with Abraham.” Others prefer the order of the Masoretic text (Masoretic Text), as given by Revised Standard Version. In the interests of natural translation, the LORD will often fit better as subject of the clause, as in Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .