Bible Commentaries
Genesis 19

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 19:1, Lot entertains two angels; Genesis 19:4, The vicious Sodomites are smitten with blindness; Genesis 19:12, Lot is warned, and in vain warns his sons-in-law; Genesis 19:15, He is directed to flee with his family to the mountains, but obtains leave to go into Zoar; Genesis 19:24, Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed; Genesis 19:26, Lot’s wife becomes a pillar of salt; Genesis 19:29, Lot dwells in a cave; Genesis 19:31, The incestuous origin of Moab and Ammon.

Verse 1

And there came two angels. Or, rather, "the two angels came," referring to those mentioned in the preceding chapter, and there called "men." It seems - from Genesis 18:22, that these two angels were sent to Sodom, while the third, who was the Lord or Jehovah, remained with Abraham. Genesis 18:1-3, Genesis 18:22

rose: Genesis 18:1-5, Job 31:32, Hebrews 13:2

bowed: Genesis 18:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:27 - Lot Genesis 13:12 - pitched Genesis 23:7 - General Genesis 23:12 - General Genesis 42:6 - bowed Genesis 48:12 - he bowed himself Exodus 18:7 - did obeisance Proverbs 24:1 - neither Matthew 10:11 - inquire Matthew 25:35 - I was a Luke 19:5 - for Romans 12:13 - given

Verse 2

turn: Hebrews 13:2

wash: Genesis 18:4

Nay: Instead of lo, nay, some manuscripts have lo, to him. "And they said unto him, for we lodge in the street;" where, nevertheless, the negation is understood. Knowing the disposition of the inhabitants, and appearing in the character of mere travellers, they preferred the open street to any house; but not yet willing to make themselves known, as Lot pressed them vehemently, and as they knew him to be a righteous man, they consented to take shelter under his hospitable roof. Judges 19:17-21, Luke 24:28, Luke 24:29, Acts 16:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:32 - wash Genesis 26:31 - betimes Genesis 38:1 - turned Genesis 43:24 - General Exodus 2:20 - call him Judges 19:15 - no man Judges 19:20 - lodge not 2 Samuel 11:8 - wash 2 Samuel 13:25 - pressed Job 31:32 - The stranger Proverbs 25:17 - Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's Isaiah 58:7 - bring Mark 6:48 - would Luke 7:44 - thou Luke 14:23 - compel John 13:5 - feet Acts 10:23 - and lodged 1 Timothy 5:10 - washed

Verse 3

pressed: 2 Kings 4:8, Luke 11:8, Luke 14:23, Luke 24:28, Luke 24:29, 2 Corinthians 5:14

a feast: Genesis 18:6-8, Genesis 21:8, Luke 5:29, John 12:2, Hebrews 13:2

unleavened: Genesis 18:6, Exodus 12:15, Exodus 12:39, Judges 6:19, 1 Samuel 28:24, 1 Corinthians 5:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:7 - General Genesis 18:8 - he took Genesis 26:30 - General Genesis 38:1 - turned Exodus 2:20 - call him Judges 6:18 - bring Judges 19:15 - no man Judges 19:20 - lodge not 2 Samuel 13:25 - pressed Job 31:32 - The stranger Proverbs 25:17 - Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's Acts 10:23 - and lodged Acts 16:15 - And she

Verse 4

But: Proverbs 4:16, Proverbs 6:18, Micah 7:3, Romans 3:15

all: Genesis 13:13, Genesis 18:20, Exodus 16:2, Exodus 23:2, Jeremiah 5:1-6, Jeremiah 5:31, Matthew 27:20-25

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:7 - General Deuteronomy 23:17 - sodomite Judges 19:22 - the men Judges 20:5 - beset 2 Kings 23:7 - the sodomites Jeremiah 44:15 - all the Luke 17:28 - General Romans 5:13 - until

Verse 5

Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Judges 19:22, Isaiah 1:9, Isaiah 3:9, Jeremiah 3:3, Jeremiah 6:15, Ezekiel 16:49, Ezekiel 16:51, Matthew 11:23, Matthew 11:24, Romans 1:23, Romans 1:24, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 3:13, Jude 1:7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 23:17 - sodomite 1 Kings 14:24 - And there 1 Kings 22:46 - the remnant 2 Kings 23:7 - the sodomites Job 36:14 - unclean Ezekiel 16:50 - and committed

Verse 6

Lot: Judges 19:23

door: Two words are here used for door: the first pethach, which is the door-way, at which Lot went out; the latter, deleth, the leaf of the door, which he shut after him when out.

Verse 7

Genesis 19:4, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Deuteronomy 23:17, Judges 19:23, 1 Samuel 30:23, 1 Samuel 30:24, Acts 17:26, Romans 1:24, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Jude 1:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:32 - before Exodus 23:2 - follow Judges 9:26 - brethren 2 Peter 2:7 - vexed

Verse 8

I have: Exodus 32:22

let: Genesis 19:31-38, Genesis 42:37, Judges 19:24, Mark 9:6, Romans 3:8

therefore: Genesis 18:5, Judges 9:15, Isaiah 58:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:36 - General 2 Samuel 13:13 - Now therefore Proverbs 9:7 - General 2 Peter 2:7 - vexed

Verse 9

Stand: 1 Samuel 17:44, 1 Samuel 25:17, Proverbs 9:7, Proverbs 9:8, Isaiah 65:5, Jeremiah 3:3, Jeremiah 6:15, Jeremiah 8:12, Matthew 7:6

This: Genesis 13:12, Exodus 2:14, Acts 7:26-28, 2 Peter 2:7, 2 Peter 2:8

pressed: Genesis 11:6, 1 Samuel 2:16, Proverbs 14:16, Proverbs 17:12, Proverbs 27:3, Ecclesiastes 9:3, Ecclesiastes 10:13, Daniel 3:19-22

Reciprocal: Proverbs 5:12 - and my Ezekiel 16:49 - pride Matthew 26:61 - This John 7:52 - Art John 9:34 - and dost Acts 14:18 - scarce

Verse 11

with blindness: The word sanverim, rendered "blindness," and which occurs only here, and in 2 Kings 6:18, is supposed to denote dazzlings, deceptions, or confusions of sight from excessive light; being derived by Schultens, who is followed by Parkhurst, from the Arabic sana, to pour forth, diffuse, and nor, light. Dr. Geddes, to the same purpose, thinks it is compounded of the Arabic sana, which signifies a flash, and or, light. The Targums, in both places where it occurs, render it by eruptions, or flashes of light, or as Mercer, in Robertson, explains the Chaldee word, irradiations. 2 Kings 6:18, Acts 13:11

that they: Ecclesiastes 10:15, Isaiah 57:10, Jeremiah 2:36

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:4 - his hand 1 Kings 22:31 - small nor great 2 Kings 23:2 - both small and great 2 Chronicles 15:13 - whether small 2 Chronicles 18:30 - small or great Job 12:25 - grope Jeremiah 9:5 - weary Luke 11:34 - but John 8:59 - but Acts 9:8 - he saw

Verse 12

Hast: Genesis 7:1, Numbers 16:26, Joshua 6:22, Joshua 6:23, Jeremiah 32:39, 2 Peter 2:7, 2 Peter 2:9

son: Genesis 19:14, Genesis 19:17, Genesis 19:22, Revelation 18:4

Reciprocal: Joshua 2:18 - thy father 1 Samuel 15:6 - depart Jeremiah 51:45 - deliver

Verse 13

cry: Genesis 13:13, Genesis 18:20, James 5:4

Lord hath: 1 Chronicles 21:15, 1 Chronicles 21:16, Psalms 11:5, Psalms 11:6, Isaiah 3:11, Isaiah 36:10, Isaiah 37:36, Ezekiel 9:5, Ezekiel 9:6, Matthew 13:41, Matthew 13:42, Matthew 13:49, Matthew 13:50, Acts 12:23, Romans 3:8, Romans 3:9, Jude 1:7, Revelation 16:1-12

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:7 - wicked Job 8:4 - he have cast Revelation 18:4 - Come

Verse 14

which: Matthew 1:18

Up: Genesis 19:17, Genesis 19:22, Numbers 16:21, Numbers 16:26, Numbers 16:45, Jeremiah 51:6, Luke 9:42, Revelation 18:4-8

as one: Exodus 9:21, Exodus 12:31, 2 Chronicles 30:10, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Proverbs 29:1, Isaiah 28:22, Jeremiah 5:12-14, Jeremiah 20:7, Ezekiel 20:49, Matthew 9:24, Luke 17:28-30, Luke 24:11, Acts 17:32, 1 Thessalonians 5:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:12 - son Genesis 34:9 - General Exodus 32:1 - Up Judges 4:14 - Up 1 Samuel 9:26 - Up Ecclesiastes 5:13 - riches Isaiah 58:7 - thine own Jeremiah 16:2 - General Matthew 22:5 - they Mark 4:15 - these Mark 5:40 - they John 9:18 - General Hebrews 11:7 - warned 2 Peter 3:4 - where

Verse 15

hastened: Genesis 19:17, Genesis 19:22, Numbers 16:24-27, Proverbs 6:4, Proverbs 6:5, Luke 13:24, Luke 13:25, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Hebrews 3:7, Hebrews 3:8, Revelation 18:4

are here: Heb. are found

iniquity: or, punishment

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:31 - rose upon Numbers 16:21 - Separate 2 Chronicles 31:1 - present Jeremiah 51:6 - be not Ezekiel 7:7 - morning Daniel 3:28 - hath sent Matthew 24:16 - General Mark 13:15 - General Acts 12:7 - Arise Hebrews 1:14 - sent

Verse 16

lingered: Psalms 119:60, John 6:44

the Lord: Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Deuteronomy 4:31, 1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalms 34:12, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 86:15, Psalms 103:8-10, Psalms 103:13, Psalms 106:1, Psalms 106:8, Psalms 107:1, Psalms 111:4, Psalms 118:1, Psalms 136:1, Isaiah 63:9, Lamentations 3:22, Micah 7:18, Micah 7:19, Luke 6:35, Luke 6:36, Luke 18:13, Romans 9:15, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:18, 2 Corinthians 1:3, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:5, Titus 3:5

brought: Joshua 6:22, 2 Peter 2:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:10 - General Exodus 15:13 - Thou Daniel 3:28 - hath sent Luke 17:29 - General Acts 12:7 - Arise Hebrews 1:14 - sent Hebrews 8:9 - I took 2 Peter 2:7 - delivered

Verse 17

he said: Genesis 18:22

Escape: Genesis 19:14, Genesis 19:15, Genesis 19:22, 1 Samuel 19:11, 1 Kings 19:3, Psalms 121:1, Matthew 3:7, Matthew 24:16-18, Hebrews 2:3

look: Genesis 19:26, Luke 9:62, Luke 17:31, Luke 17:32, Philippians 3:13, Philippians 3:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:10 - the plain Genesis 13:11 - chose Genesis 14:10 - the mountain Genesis 19:12 - son Genesis 19:30 - Lot 1 Kings 1:12 - save Proverbs 28:22 - and Jeremiah 46:5 - fled apace Jeremiah 48:6 - Flee Micah 1:13 - bind Zechariah 2:6 - and flee Zechariah 2:7 - Deliver Matthew 2:22 - he was Luke 12:23 - General Luke 21:21 - flee Philippians 3:7 - General

Verse 18

Genesis 32:26, 2 Kings 5:11, 2 Kings 5:12, Isaiah 45:11, John 13:6-8, Acts 9:13, Acts 10:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:18 - Not so

Verse 19

and thou: Psalms 18:1-50, Psalms 40:1-17, Psalms 103:1-22, Psalms 106:1 - Psalms 107:43, Psalms 116:1-19, 1 Timothy 1:14-16

lest some: Genesis 12:13, Deuteronomy 31:17, 1 Samuel 27:1, 1 Kings 9:9, Psalms 77:7-11, Psalms 116:11, Matthew 8:25, Matthew 8:26, Mark 9:19, Romans 8:31

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:8 - General Genesis 33:10 - if now Genesis 39:4 - Joseph Exodus 33:17 - thou hast Numbers 32:5 - if we have Job 10:12 - life and favour Acts 7:27 - he that

Verse 20

this: Genesis 19:30, Proverbs 3:5-7, Amos 3:6

and my: Genesis 12:13, Psalms 119:175, Isaiah 55:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:10 - Zoar Genesis 14:2 - Zoar Genesis 14:8 - same Genesis 19:22 - Zoar 1 Corinthians 10:13 - make

Verse 21

I: Genesis 4:7, Job 42:8, Job 42:9, Psalms 34:15, Psalms 102:17, Psalms 145:19, Jeremiah 14:10, Matthew 12:20, Luke 11:8, Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 4:16

thee: Heb. thy face

that: Genesis 12:2, Genesis 18:24

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:1 - See Exodus 33:17 - I will do 1 Samuel 25:35 - accepted Acts 27:24 - lo 1 Corinthians 10:13 - make

Verse 22

for: Genesis 32:25-28, Exodus 32:10, Deuteronomy 9:14, Psalms 91:1-10, Isaiah 65:8, Mark 6:5, 2 Timothy 2:13, Titus 1:2

called: Genesis 13:10, Genesis 14:2, Isaiah 15:5, Jeremiah 48:34

Zoar: i.e. little, Genesis 19:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:8 - same Genesis 19:12 - son Genesis 19:14 - Up Genesis 19:15 - hastened Genesis 19:17 - Escape Deuteronomy 34:3 - Zoar Mark 13:15 - General Acts 27:24 - lo Hebrews 6:18 - who 2 Peter 2:7 - delivered

Verse 23

risen: Heb. gone forth, Genesis 19:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:31 - rose upon

Verse 24

the Lord: Deuteronomy 29:23, Job 18:15, Psalms 11:6, Isaiah 1:9, Isaiah 13:19, Jeremiah 20:16, Jeremiah 49:18, Jeremiah 50:40, Lamentations 4:6, Ezekiel 16:49, Ezekiel 16:50, Hosea 11:8, Amos 4:11, Zephaniah 2:9, Matthew 11:23, Matthew 11:24, Luke 17:28, Luke 17:29, 2 Peter 2:6, Jude 1:7

brimstone: The word rendered "brimstone," - q.d. brennestone, or brinnestone, id est burning-stone is always rendered by the LXX "sulphur," and seems to denote a meteorous inflammable matter.

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:19 - Sodom Genesis 13:10 - the plain Genesis 14:2 - Sodom Genesis 14:3 - salt sea Genesis 20:4 - wilt Numbers 34:12 - the salt sea Deuteronomy 28:24 - make the rain Joshua 10:11 - the Lord Job 1:16 - there came Job 20:23 - rain it Job 22:20 - the fire Job 36:14 - unclean Job 36:31 - by Psalms 140:10 - burning coals Psalms 148:8 - Fire Isaiah 24:18 - for the Isaiah 30:33 - the breath Ezekiel 7:7 - morning Ezekiel 16:46 - thy younger sister Ezekiel 38:22 - an overflowing Romans 9:29 - we had been Revelation 9:17 - brimstone Revelation 11:8 - Sodom Revelation 14:10 - be Revelation 19:20 - burning Revelation 20:9 - and fire

Verse 25

Genesis 13:10, Genesis 14:3, Psalms 107:34

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:19 - Sodom Deuteronomy 29:23 - like the Joshua 12:3 - the sea Joshua 18:19 - the salt Job 36:14 - unclean Jeremiah 20:16 - as Jeremiah 49:18 - in the Jeremiah 50:40 - General Lamentations 4:6 - the punishment Ezekiel 16:46 - thy younger sister Hosea 11:8 - Admah Amos 4:11 - as God Zephaniah 2:9 - as Gomorrah Matthew 11:23 - in Sodom Romans 5:14 - death Romans 9:29 - we had been 2 Peter 2:6 - turning

Verse 26

looked: This unhappy woman, says the Rev. T. Scott, "looked back," contrary to God's express command, perhaps with a hope of returning, which latter supposition is favoured by our Lord's words, "Let him not return back: remember Lot's wife." She was, therefore, instantaneously struck dead and petrified, and thus remained to after ages a visible monument of the Divine displeasure. Genesis 19:17, Proverbs 14:14, Luke 17:31, Luke 17:32, Hebrews 10:38

and: Numbers 16:38

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 5:13 - riches Habakkuk 2:9 - that coveteth an evil covetousness Mark 13:15 - General Luke 21:21 - flee Philippians 3:7 - General

Verse 27

early: Psalms 5:3

to the: Genesis 18:22-33, Ezekiel 16:49, Ezekiel 16:50, Habakkuk 2:1, Hebrews 2:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:14 - rose up Jeremiah 15:1 - stood Jonah 4:5 - till

Verse 28

Psalms 107:34, 2 Peter 2:7, Jude 1:7, Revelation 14:10, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 18:9, Revelation 18:18, Revelation 19:3, Revelation 21:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:31 - not Exodus 19:18 - as the smoke Deuteronomy 3:17 - the sea Joshua 8:20 - the smoke Judges 20:40 - a pillar Psalms 18:8 - went Psalms 21:9 - Thou Psalms 37:20 - smoke Isaiah 34:9 - General Daniel 3:6 - a burning Joel 2:30 - pillars Jonah 4:5 - till 2 Peter 2:6 - turning Revelation 9:2 - there

Verse 29

that God: Genesis 8:1, Genesis 12:2, Genesis 18:23-33, Genesis 30:22, Deuteronomy 9:5, Nehemiah 13:14, Nehemiah 13:22, Psalms 25:7, Psalms 105:8, Psalms 105:42, Psalms 106:4, Psalms 136:23, Psalms 145:20, Ezekiel 36:31, Ezekiel 36:32, Hosea 11:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:12 - Lot dwelled Genesis 39:5 - for Joseph's Deuteronomy 3:17 - the sea Joshua 6:23 - out Rahab 1 Kings 11:12 - for David 1 Kings 15:4 - for David's Job 35:8 - may profit Psalms 88:5 - whom Proverbs 21:12 - overthroweth Ezekiel 14:16 - they shall Ezekiel 16:46 - her daughters John 9:31 - him Acts 27:24 - lo James 5:16 - The effectual 2 Peter 2:7 - delivered

Verse 30

Lot: Genesis 19:17-23

for he: Genesis 49:4, Jeremiah 2:36, Jeremiah 2:37, James 1:8

Zoar: Genesis 13:10, Genesis 14:22, Deuteronomy 34:3, Isaiah 15:5, Jeremiah 48:34

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:10 - the mountain Genesis 19:20 - this

Verse 31

not: Genesis 19:28, Mark 9:6

to come: Genesis 4:1, Genesis 6:4, Genesis 16:2, Genesis 16:4, Genesis 38:8, Genesis 38:9, Genesis 38:14-30, Deuteronomy 25:5, Isaiah 4:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:8 - let Proverbs 20:1 - General Ecclesiastes 5:13 - riches

Verse 32

Come: Genesis 11:3

drink: Genesis 9:21, Proverbs 23:31-33, Habakkuk 2:15, Habakkuk 2:16

seed: Leviticus 18:6, Leviticus 18:7, Mark 12:19

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 11:13 - made him 2 Samuel 13:28 - heart is merry Proverbs 23:33 - eyes Romans 5:13 - until Ephesians 5:18 - be not

Verse 33

drink: Leviticus 18:6, Leviticus 18:7, Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:29-35, Habakkuk 2:15, Habakkuk 2:16

Verse 34

Isaiah 3:9, Jeremiah 3:3, Jeremiah 5:3, Jeremiah 6:15, Jeremiah 8:12

Verse 35

Psalms 8:4, Proverbs 24:16, Ecclesiastes 7:26, Luke 21:34, 1 Corinthians 10:11, 1 Corinthians 10:12, 1 Peter 4:7

Verse 36

Genesis 19:8, Leviticus 18:6, Leviticus 18:7, Judges 1:7, 1 Samuel 15:33, Habakkuk 2:15, Matthew 7:2

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:9 - the children Deuteronomy 2:19 - General Romans 5:13 - until

Verse 37

am 2108, bc 1896

Moab: This name is generally interpreted of the father; from mo, of, and av, a father.

Moabites: Numbers 21:29, Numbers 22:1-41, Numbers 24:1-25, Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:19, Deuteronomy 23:3, Judges 3:1-31, Ruth 4:10, 2 Samuel 8:1-18, 2 Kings 3:1-27

Reciprocal: Genesis 36:9 - the Edomites 1 Chronicles 19:2 - the children Psalms 83:8 - the children Jeremiah 48:1 - Moab

Verse 38

Benammi: i.e., Son of my people, from ben, a son, and ammi, my people.

children: Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:19, Deuteronomy 23:3, Judges 10:6-18, Judges 11:1-40, 1 Samuel 11:1-15, 2 Samuel 10:1-19, Nehemiah 13:1-3, Nehemiah 13:23-28, Psalms 83:4-8, Isaiah 11:14, Zephaniah 2:9

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 19:2 - the children 2 Chronicles 26:8 - the Ammonites Psalms 83:8 - the children Jeremiah 49:1 - Ammonites Ezekiel 25:2 - the Ammonites