CHAPTER 19

(Genesis 19:1)  And there came⁹³⁵ two⁸¹⁴⁷ angels⁴³⁹⁷ to Sodom⁵⁴⁶⁷ at even;⁶¹⁵³ and Lot³⁸⁷⁶ sat³⁴²⁷ in the gate⁸¹⁷⁹ of Sodom:⁵⁴⁶⁷ and Lot³⁸⁷⁶ seeing⁷²⁰⁰ them rose up⁶⁹⁶⁵ to meet⁷¹²⁵ them; and he bowed himself⁷⁸¹² with his face⁶³⁹ toward the ground;⁷⁷⁶

two: Hebrew the two; with article, viz. two of the three, 18:16.[B]  angels:  From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, that is, an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher).[S]  A messenger, usually a created spiritual being of holy character, sent by God to deliver revelations to men.[N]  there came two angels—most probably two of those that had been with Abraham, commissioned to execute the divine judgment against Sodom.[JFB] at even:  From H6150 [i.e., to grow dusky at sundown]; dusk.[S]  In the evening.[ASB]  Lot:  The same as H3875 [i.e., a veil]; Lot, Abraham’s nephew.[S]  Covering or myrrh.[DDB]  and sat in:  A primitive root; properly to sit down (specifically as judge, in ambush, in quiet); by implication to dwell, to remain; causatively to settle, to marry.[S]  the gate:  The seat of judgment, showing that Lot was a real citizen, verse 9, 23:10, 18, 34:20, 24; Ruth 4:1.[B]  Sat in the gate implies that Lot was a leader in the city, possibly a judge (compare verse 9, 34:20).[ASB]  Lot sat in the gate of Sodom—In Eastern cities it is the market, the seat of justice, of social intercourse and amusement, especially a favorite lounge in the evenings, the arched roof affording a pleasant shade.[JFB]  to meet:  From H7122; an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially opposite).[S]  and he bowed himself:  A primitive root; to depress, that is, prostrate (especially reflexively in homage to royalty or God).[S]
     Lot, (Heb. lot), a covering; veil, the son of Haran, and nephew of Abraham (Genesis 11:27). On the death of his father, he was left in charge of his grandfather Terah (31), after whose death he accompanied his uncle Abraham into Canaan (12:5), thence into Egypt (10), and back again to Canaan (13:1).  After this he separated from him and settled in Sodom (13:5-13).  There his righteous soul was "vexed" from day to day (2 Peter 2:7), and he had great cause to regret this act.  Not many years after the separation he was taken captive by Chedorlaomer, and was rescued by Abraham (Genesis 14).  At length, when the judgment of God descended on the guilty cities of the plain (Genesis 19:1-20), Lot was miraculously delivered. When fleeing from the doomed city his wife "looked back from behind him, and became a pillar of salt".  There is to this day a peculiar crag at the south end of the Dead Sea, near Kumran, which the Arabs call Bint Sheik Lot, i.e., Lot's wife. It is "a tall, isolated needle of rock, which really does bear a curious resemblance to an Arab woman with a child upon her shoulder".  From the words of warning in Luke 17:32, "Remember Lot's wife", it would seem as if she had gone back, or tarried so long behind in the desire to save some of her goods, that she became involved in the destruction which fell on the city, and became a stiffened corpse, fixed for a time in the saline incrustations.  She became "a pillar of salt", i.e., as some think, of asphalt.  Lot and his daughters sought refuge first in Zoar, and then, fearing to remain there longer, retired to a cave in the neighbouring mountains (Genesis 19:30).  Lot has recently been connected with the people called on the Egyptian monuments Rotanu or Lotanu, who is supposed to have been the hero of the Edomite tribe Lotan.[EDB]

(Genesis 19:2)  And he said,⁵⁵⁹ Behold²⁰⁰⁹ now,⁴⁹⁹⁴ my lords,¹¹³ turn in,⁵⁴⁹³ I pray you,⁴⁹⁹⁴ into⁴¹³ your servant's⁵⁶⁵⁰ house,¹⁰⁰⁴ and tarry all night,³⁸⁸⁵ and wash⁷³⁶⁴ your feet,⁷²⁷² and ye shall rise up early,⁷⁹²⁵ and go¹⁹⁸⁰ on your ways.¹⁸⁷⁰ And they said,⁵⁵⁹ Nay;³⁸⁰⁸ but³⁵⁸⁸ we will abide in the street all night.^{3885, 7339}

my lords:  From an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, that is, controller (human or divine).[S]  turn in:  A primitive root; to turn off (literally or figuratively).[S]  To enter for lodgings or entertainment.[W]  and tarry all night:  A primitive root; to stop (usually over night); by implication to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain).[S]  turn in, I pray you . . . tarry all night—offer of the same generous hospitalities as described in Genesis 18:2-8, and which are still spontaneously practiced in the small towns.[JFB]  ye shall rise up early:  A primitive root; properly to incline (the shoulder to a burden); but used only as denominative from H7926; literally to load up (on the back of man or beast), that is, to start early in the morning.[S]  we will abide in the street all night: A primitive root; to stop (usually over night); by implication to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain).[H3885] From H7337; a width, that is, (concretely) avenue or area.[H7339][S]   To lodge, to stay all night; to continue in a settled state.  Wide, broad, large; a broad way, any public place, capable of many meeting together.[WW]  in the street = open plaza.[ASB]
And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night—Where there are no inns and no acquaintance, it is not uncommon for travelers to sleep in the street wrapped up in their cloaks.[JFB]

(Genesis 19:3)  And he pressed⁶⁴⁸⁴ upon them greatly;³⁹⁶⁶ and they turned in⁵⁴⁹³ unto⁴¹³ him, and entered⁹³⁵ into⁴¹³ his house;¹⁰⁰⁴ and he made⁶²¹³ them a feast,⁴⁹⁶⁰ and did bake⁶⁴⁴ unleavened bread,⁴⁶⁸² and they did eat.³⁹⁸

And he pressed upon them:  A primitive root; to peck at, that is, (figuratively) stun or dull.[S]  To urge anyone with entreaties, with a degree of violence or importunity (compare Luke 24:29).[WW]  And he pressed upon them greatly = To urge with vehemence and importunity.[W]  Partly because he would by no means have them to expose themselves to the perils of lodging in the streets of Sodom, and partly because he was desirous of their converse.[JW]  a feast:  From H8354; drink; by implication drinking (the act); also (by implication), a banquet or (generally) feast.[S]  and did bake:  A primitive root; to cook, especially to bake.[S]  To bake in the oven or upon the hearth.[WW]  unleavened bread:  From H4711 in the sense of greedily devouring for sweetness; properly sweetness; concretely sweet (that is, not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the festival of Passover (because no leaven was then used).[S]

(Genesis 19:4)  But before²⁹⁶² they lay down,⁷⁹⁰¹ the men³⁷⁶ of the city,⁵⁸⁹² even the men³⁷⁶ of Sodom,⁵⁴⁶⁷ compassed^{5437, 5921} the house¹⁰⁰⁴ round, both old²²⁰⁵ and young,^{4480, 5288} all³⁶⁰⁵ the people⁵⁹⁷¹ from every quarter:^{4480, 7097}

they lay down:  A primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose).[S]  compassed round:  A primitive root; to revolve, surround or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.[H5437]  Properly the same as H5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural, often with prefix, or as conjugation with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications.[H5921][S]  Surrounded.[ASB]  To beset, to compass about in a distressing manner.[WW]  men of Sodom, compassed the house—Appalling proofs are here given of their wickedness.  It is evident that evil communications had corrupted good manners; otherwise Lot would never have acted as he did.[JFB]  from every quarter:  The second form is negative only; from H7096; an extremity (used in a great variety of applications and idioms; compare H7093).[H7097][S]  From all parts/sides of the city. Here were old and young all from every quarter - The old were not past it, and the young were soon come up to it. Either they had no magistrates to protect the peaceable, or their magistrates were themselves aiding and abetting.[JW]

(Genesis 19:5)  And they called⁷¹²¹ unto⁴¹³ Lot,³⁸⁷⁶ and said⁵⁵⁹ unto him, Where³⁴⁶ are the men³⁷⁶ which⁸³⁴ came in⁹³⁵ to⁴¹³ thee this night?³⁹¹⁵ bring them out³³¹⁸ unto⁴¹³ us, that we may know³⁰⁴⁵ them.

bring them out:  A primitive root; to go (causatively bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proximate.[S]  that we may know them:  A primitive root; to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively instruction, designation, punishment, etc.).[S]  Know them carnally.  The word know is to be interpreted in the light of 4:1 as carnal or sexual knowledge, here referring to homosexuality.  We are only given a glimpse of the unspeakable possibilities of human depravity.  The Scripture clearly denounces homosexuality as sin (compare Leviticus 18:22-30, 20:13; Romans 1;24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10).  Later, the law would make homosexuality a capital offense, grouped with incest and bestiality.[ASB]   To commit the sin against nature.[C]  To have unlawful/immoral sexual commerce with.[W]

(Genesis 19:6)  And Lot³⁸⁷⁶ went out³³¹⁸ at the door⁶⁶⁰⁷ unto⁴¹³ them, and shut⁵⁴⁶² the door¹⁸¹⁷ after³¹⁰ him,

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.[TSK]

(Genesis 19:7)  And said,⁵⁵⁹ I pray you,⁴⁹⁹⁴ brethren,²⁵¹ do not so wickedly.^{7489, 408}

do not so [to such a great degree] wickedly:  A primitive root; properly to spoil (literally by breaking to pieces); figuratively to make (or be) good for nothing, that is, bad (physically, socially or morally). [H7489]  A negative particle (akin to H3808); not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative).[H408][S]  Wickedly, injurious.  From its root, which indicates its nature as breaking up all that is good or desirable; injurious to all others.  In Greek poneros, evil, or kakos, bad.  Hence especially of moral depravity and corruption, and lewdness.  English “good for nothing”.[B]  Denotes any activity which is contrary to God’s will, i.e., an attitude which rejects God’s authority.  Those who sin like this lack understanding, deliberately plan to hurt others in a habitual way and compulsively.[KWSB]

(Genesis 19:8)  Behold²⁰⁰⁹ now,⁴⁹⁹⁴ I have two⁸¹⁴⁷ daughters¹³²³ which⁸³⁴ have not³⁸⁰⁸ known³⁰⁴⁵ man;³⁷⁶ let me, I pray you,⁴⁹⁹⁴ bring them out^{3318, (853)} unto⁴¹³ you, and do⁶²¹³ ye to them as is good²⁸⁹⁶ in your eyes:⁵⁸⁶⁹ only⁷⁵³⁵ unto these⁴¹¹ men³⁷⁶ do⁶²¹³ nothing;^{408, 1697} for³⁵⁸⁸ therefore^{5921, 3651} came⁹³⁵ they under the shadow⁶⁷³⁸ of my roof.⁶⁹⁸²

I have two daughters - This was unadvisedly and unjustifiably offered. It is true, of two evils we must chose the less, but of two sins we must chose neither, nor ever do evil that good may come of it.[JW]

have not known man:  Used euphemistically for coitus [i.e., a coming together, copulation].[WSD]  To have sexual relations with.[N]    as is good:  It describes that which is appealing and pleasant to the senses.[WSD]  in your eyes:  The scope of personal judgment or opinion.[WSD]  as is good in your eyes = as you wish.[ASB]  only:  The same as H7534 as a noun; properly leanness, that is, (figuratively) limitation; only adverbially merely, or conjugationally although.[S]  It indicates a specific condition that must be fulfilled or maintained.[WSD]  under the shadow of:  From H6751; shade, whether literally or figuratively.[S]  Shade; also as affording shelter, protection.[WW]  my roof:  From H6979 [i.e., to wall up, whether literally (to build a wall) or figuratively (to estop)]; a rafter (forming trenches as it were); by implication a roof.[S]  Roof put for house, and house put for protection.[B]

(Genesis 19:9)  And they said,⁵⁵⁹ Stand⁵⁰⁶⁶ back.¹⁹⁷³ And they said⁵⁵⁹ again, This one²⁵⁹ fellow came in⁹³⁵ to sojourn,¹⁴⁸¹ and he will needs be a judge:^{8199, 8199} now⁶²⁵⁸ will we deal worse⁷⁴⁸⁹ with thee, than⁴⁴⁸⁰ with them. And they pressed⁶⁴⁸⁴ sore³⁹⁶⁶ upon the man,³⁷⁶ even Lot,³⁸⁷⁶ and came near⁵⁰⁶⁶ to break⁷⁶⁶⁵ the door.¹⁸¹⁷

Stand:  A primitive root; to be or come (causatively bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religiously to worship; causatively to present; figuratively to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back.[S]  back:  From the primitive form of the article; to the distance, that is, far away; also (of time) thus far.[S]  Stand back:  Recede, give place; advance nearer to the angels and further from the door.  This one fellow:  A numeral from H258; properly united, that is, one; or (as an ordinal) first.[S]  to sojourn:  A primitive root; properly to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), that is, sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather for hostility (as afraid).[S]  and he will needs [of necessity] be a judge:  A primitive root; to judge, that is, pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication to vindicate or punish; by extension to govern; passively to litigate (literally or figuratively).[S]  Literally judging he will judge; to bring matters to the rule of right; to administer justice.[WW]  He [Lot] sat in Sodom’s gate, the seat of the judges.[B]  we will deal worse with thee:  A primitive root; properly to spoil (literally by breaking to pieces); figuratively to make (or be) good for nothing, that is, bad (physically, socially or morally). [S]  To be evil; to do ill, to do evil to any one, to afflict.[WW]  [To act] In a manner more evil or bad.[W]  And they pressed upon:  It indicates a literal push against someone.[WSD]  sore:  Greatly, violently.[W]  to break:  A primitive root; to burst (literally or figuratively).[S]  To break open, shiver.[B] 

(Genesis 19:10)  But the men³⁷⁶ put forth^{7971 (853)} their hand,³⁰²⁷ and pulled^{935 (853)} Lot³⁸⁷⁶ into the house¹⁰⁰⁴ to⁴¹³ them, and shut to⁵⁴⁶² the door.¹⁸¹⁷

and shut to:  A primitive root; to shut up; figuratively to surrender.[S]  Closed so as to hinder ingress or egress.[W]

(Genesis 19:11)  And they smote⁵²²¹ the men³⁷⁶ that⁸³⁴ were at the door⁶⁶⁰⁷ of the house¹⁰⁰⁴ with blindness,⁵⁵⁷⁵ both small^{4480, 6996} and great:¹⁴¹⁹ so that they wearied themselves³⁸¹¹ to find⁴⁶⁷² the door.⁶⁶⁰⁷

And they smote:  A primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively).[S]  with blindness:  Of uncertain derivation; (in plural) blindness.[S]  Literally with blindnesses; plural blindness, or confusion of sight; so that everything appears wrong, inflicted by the sudden and immediate stroke of God: probably dazzled blindnesses.  Chaldean fatuity of vision.  Syriac with illusions.[WW] Produced by dazzlings of light.[B]  The word sanverim, rendered “blindness”, and which occurs only here, and in 2 Kiings6:18, 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.[TSK]  small:  From H6962; abbreviated, that is, diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance).[H6996][S]  and great:  From H1431; great (in any sense); hence older; also insolent.[S]  so that they wearied themselves:  A primitive root; to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted.[S]  To be wearied, exhausted; to labor in vain, not to be able.[WW]  to find:  A primitive root; properly to come forth to, that is, appear or exist; transitively to attain, that is, find or acquire; figuratively to occur, meet or be present.[S] 

(Genesis 19:12)  And the men³⁷⁶ said⁵⁵⁹ unto⁴¹³ Lot,³⁸⁷⁶ Hast thou here⁶³¹¹ any⁴³¹⁰ besides⁵⁷⁵⁰ son-in-law,²⁸⁶⁰ and thy sons,¹¹²¹ and thy daughters?¹³²³ and whatsoever^{3605, 834} thou hast in the city,⁵⁸⁹² bring³³¹⁸ them out of⁴⁴⁸⁰ this place:⁴⁷²⁵

(Genesis 19:13)  For³⁵⁸⁸ we⁵⁸⁷ will destroy^{7843 (853)} this²⁰⁸⁸ place,⁴⁷²⁵ because³⁵⁸⁸ the cry⁶⁸¹⁸ of them is waxen great^{1431 (853)} before the face⁶⁴⁴⁰ of the LORD;³⁰⁶⁸ and the LORD³⁰⁶⁸ hath sent⁷⁹⁷¹ us to destroy⁷⁸⁴³ it.

is waxen great:  A primitive root; properly to twist (compare H1434), that is, to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride).[S]

(Genesis 19:14)  And Lot³⁸⁷⁶ went out,