Genesis 19
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Two angels - The two referred to Gen 18:22. Sat in the gate - Probably, in order to prevent unwary travelers from being entrapped by his wicked townsmen, he waited at the gate of the city to bring the strangers he might meet with to his own house, as well as to transact his own business. Or, as the gate was the place of judgment, he might have been sitting there as magistrate to hear and determine disputes. Bowed himself - Not through religious reverence, for he did not know the quality of his guests; but through the customary form of civility. See on verses Gen 18:3-5 (note) of the preceding chapter.
Open source ↗LOT'S ENTERTAINMENT. (Gen. 19:1-38) there came two angels--most probably two of those that had been with Abraham, commissioned to execute the divine judgment against Sodom. 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.
Open source ↗And there came two angels to Sodom at even,.... Or "the two angels" (h), the two men who were angels in the likeness of men, that had been with Abraham in the heat of the day at Hebron, on the evening of the same day came to Sodom: and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: not as a civil magistrate to try causes there, being appointed a judge over them, as Jarchi relates; yea, the Jews say (i): that that day five judges were appointed by the men of Sodom, and Lot was the chief of them; but this is not likely, and seems to be contradicted, Gen 19:9; but he sat there to observe strangers that might pass by, and invite them into his house, and that they might not fall into the hands of the wicked Sodomites, who might abuse them; this being a time when not only travellers would be glad to put up and take refreshment, but his wicked neighbours lay in wait for them to satisfy their lusts on them: he had learnt this hospitality from Abraham: and Lot seeing them, rose up to meet them: he arose from his seat and went forward to meet them, which showed his readiness and heartiness to receive them: and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; not in a religious way, as paying worship to angels, for as yet he did not know them to be such, and if he had, would not have given them divine adoration; but in a civil way, as was the custom of the eastern countries to bow very low in their civil respects to men, especially to great personages; and such Lot took these to be by their goodly looks and by their dress, as appears by his salutation of them in Gen 19:2. (h) "duo illi angeli", Tigurine version, Cocceius; so Ar. "duobus illis angelis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. (i) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 50. fol. 44. 4.
Open source ↗The messengers (angels) sent by Jehovah to Sodom, arrived there in the evening, when Lot, who was sitting at the gate, pressed them to pass the night in his house. The gate, generally an arched entrance with deep recesses and seats on either side, was a place of meeting in the ancient towns of the East, where the inhabitants assembled either for social intercourse or to transact public business (vid., Gen 34:20; Deu 21:19; Deu 22:15, etc.). The two travellers, however (for such Lot supposed them to be, and only recognised them as angels when they had smitten the Sodomites miraculously with blindness), said that they would spend the night in the street - בּרחוב the broad open space within the gate - as they had been sent to inquire into the state of the town. But they yielded to Lot's entreaty to enter his house; for the deliverance of Lot, after having ascertained his state of mind, formed part of their commission, and entering into his house might only serve to manifest the sin of Sodom in all its heinousness. While Lot was entertaining his guests with the greatest hospitality, the people of Sodom gathered round his house, "both old and young, all people from every quarter" (of the town, as in Jer 51:31), and demanded, with the basest violation of the sacred rite of hospitality and the most shameless proclamation of their sin (Isa 3:9), that the strangers should be brought out, that they might know them. ידע is applied, as in Jdg 19:22, to the carnal sin of paederastia, a crime very prevalent among the Canaanites (Lev 18:22., Lev 20:23), and according to Rom 1:27, a curse of heathenism generally.
Open source ↗These angels, it is likely, were two of the three that had just before been with Abraham, the two created angels that were sent to execute God's purpose concerning Sodom. Observe here, 1. There was but one good man in Sodom, and these heavenly messengers soon found him out. Wherever we are, we should enquire out those of the place that live in the fear of God, and should choose to associate ourselves with them. Mat 10:11, Enquire who is worthy, and there abide. Those of the same country, when they are in a foreign country, love to be together. 2. Lot sufficiently distinguished himself from the rest of his neighbours, at this time, which plainly set a mark upon him. He that did not act like the rest must not fare like the rest. (1.) Lot sat in the gate of Sodom at even. When the rest, it is likely, were tippling and drinking, he sat alone, waiting for an opportunity to do good. (2.) He was extremely respectful to men whose mien and aspect were sober and serious, though they did not come in state. He bowed himself to the ground, when he met them, as if, upon the first view, he discerned something divine in them. (3.) He was hospitable, and very free and generous in his invitations and entertainments. He courted these strangers to his house, and to the best accommodations he had, and gave them all the evidences that he could of his sincerity; for, [1.] When the angels, to try whether he was hearty in the invitation, declined the acceptance of it, at first (which is the common usage of modesty, and no reproach at all to truth and honesty), their refusal did not make him more importunate; for he pressed upon them greatly (Gen 19:3), partly because he would be no means have them to expose themselves to the inconveniences and perils of lodging in the street of Sodom, and partl…
Open source ↗19:1-38 The Canaanites were an evil, corrupting people. God judged their morally bankrupt civilization and warned others against becoming like them. It was difficult to get Lot and his family out of Sodom; it was more difficult to get Sodom out of Lot and his family. This chapter helped later Israelites to understand the moral and spiritual threat of the peoples living in and around the Promised Land, such as the Canaanites and Lot’s descendants, the Moabites and the Ammonites (see Num 22–25; Deut 23:3-6; Josh 24:9; Judg 10:7-9; 11:4-5; 1 Sam 10:27; 1 Kgs 11:1-3; 2 Kgs 24:2). 19:1-14 The two angels who were with the Lord at Mamre (cp. 18:2, 22) visited Sodom reluctantly, knowing what kind of people lived there. Despite Lot’s hospitality, they preferred lodging in the square to entering Lot’s house. 19:1 The two angels also first appeared to Abraham as men (18:2). • Lot was no longer living in tents next to Sodom (13:12)—he had become a citizen and leader in Sodom, sitting there at the entrance of the city. Community leaders (elders) usually congregated in the gates, where legal and business transactions were publicly finalized (cp. 23:18; Job 29:7, 12-17). As a righteous man (2 Pet 2:7-8), Lot tried to modify the townspeople’s wickedness by giving advice on good living (cp. Gen 19:9). Although he denounced gross evil, Lot preferred Sodom’s sumptuous lifestyle to life in the hills (cp. 13:10-11), where there was clean living but no “good life.” As long as the Lord left Lot and his family alone in Sodom, he lived comfortably there and kept his personal belief in God; but finally, he could not hold to both. Sodom would have destroyed Lot if the Lord had not destroyed Sodom. • This account showed Israel that God is the righteous judge of the whole earth (18:25) who will jud…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) סְדֹם (Çᵉdôm, H5467) — Sedom, a place near the Dead Sea עֶרֶב (ʻereb, H6153) — dusk לוֹט (Lôwṭ, H3876) — Lot, Abraham's nephew יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) לוּן (lûwn, H3885) — to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense)… רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda שָׁכַם (shâkam, H7925) — literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e. to start early in the morning הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb רְחֹב (rᵉchôb, H7339) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area
Open source ↗פָּצַר (pâtsar, H6484) — to peck at, i.e. (figuratively) stun or dull מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh, H4960) — drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally)… אָפָה (ʼâphâh, H644) — to cook, especially to bake מַצָּה (matstsâh, H4682) — properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e. not soured or bittered with yeast);… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… סְדֹם (Çᵉdôm, H5467) — Sedom, a place near the Dead Sea סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… קָצֶה (qâtseh, H7097) — an extremity
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… לוֹט (Lôwṭ, H3876) — Lot, Abraham's nephew אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,…
Open source ↗לוֹט (Lôwṭ, H3876) — Lot, Abraham's nephew יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good…
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) אֵל (ʼêl, H411) — these or those אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) אַל (ʼal, H408) — not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) צֵל (tsêl, H6738) — shade, whether literal or figurative
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… הָלְאָה (hâlᵉʼâh, H1973) — to the distance, i.e. far away; also (of time) thus far אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good… פָּצַר (pâtsar, H6484) — to peck at, i.e. (figuratively) stun or dull מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… לוֹט (Lôwṭ, H3876) — Lot, Abraham's nephew שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7665) — to burst (literally or figuratively) דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לוֹט (Lôwṭ, H3876) — Lot, Abraham's nephew בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor
Open source ↗נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) סַנְוֵר (çanvêr, H5575) — (in plural) blindness קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent לָאָה (lâʼâh, H3811) — to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or…
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) לוֹט (Lôwṭ, H3876) — Lot, Abraham's nephew פֹּה (pôh, H6311) — this place (French ici), i.e. here or hence מִי (mîy, H4310) — who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often… חָתָן (châthân, H2860) — a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);…
Open source ↗אֲנַחְנוּ (ʼănachnûw, H587) — we שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) אֵת (ʼêth, H853) — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… צַעֲקָה (tsaʻăqâh, H6818) — a shriek גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… אֵת (ʼêth, H854) — properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Open source ↗לוֹט (Lôwṭ, H3876) — Lot, Abraham's nephew יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… חָתָן (châthân, H2860) — a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… צָחַק (tsâchaq, H6711) — to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And the two men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler—