blindness. Produced by dazzlings of light. Figure of speech Heterosis (of Noun). Plural put for sing, only here and 2 Kings 6:18 . 2 Kings 6:9 instances of people so smitten (see App-10 ). See Genesis 19:11 ; Genesis 27:1 ; Genesis 48:10 . Jdg 16:21 . 1 Samuel 4:15 . 1 Kings 14:4 . 2Ki 6:18 ; 2 Kings 25:7 . Acts 13:11 . read more
"And they said, Stand back. And they said, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now we will deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed more upon the man, even Lot, and drew near to break the door. But the men put forth their hand, and brought Lot into the house to them, and shut the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, so that they wearied themselves to find the door.""Stand back ..." If Lot had thought up until... read more
Genesis 19:11. And they smote, &c.— Lot being in great danger, the angels, by their superior power, rescued him from the mad multitude without, whom they smote with blindness, that is, with such a dimness and confusion of sight, or temporary loss of it, as disenabled them from finding Lot's door, which they wearied themselves in vain to find. See 2 Kings 6:18. REFLECTIONS.—We have here, 1. Lot's interposition. Observe, (1.) His advice; a humble entreaty. A wise reprover will ever cloak... read more
The men of Sodom wanted to have homosexual relations with Lot’s visitors (Genesis 19:5). The Mosaic Law later regarded all homosexual behavior as a capital offense (Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; cf. Romans 1:26-27). [Note: For a refutation of denials of this view, see P. Michael Ukleja, "Homosexuality and the Old Testament," Bibliotheca Sacra 140:559 (July-September 1983):259-66. On the modern resurgence of homosexuality and its connection with ancient religious paganism, see Peter Jones,... read more
The Destruction of the Cities of the Plain1. The visit of the two angels (who are ’the men’ of Genesis 18) may be regarded as the final test of Sodom. If they were hospitably received and honourably treated they might still be spared.In the gate] The entrance gate of walled Eastern cities is a great place of resort. In front of it the market was held and justice administered. See Ruth 4; 2 Samuel 15:2; Amos 5:10-15; Job 31:21; Deuteronomy 21:19; Jeremiah 38:7.2. We will abide in the street all... read more
(11) Blindness.—This word occurs elsewhere only in 2 Kings 6:18, and in both cases it is plain that actual blindness is not meant. Had the men here been struck with blindness they would not have wearied themselves with trying to find the door, but would either have gone away in terror at the visitation, or, if too hardened for that, would have groped about till they found it. So, if the Syrian army had been made actually blind, they would have surrendered themselves; nor would it have been... read more
DESTRUCTION OF THE CITIES OF THE PLAINGenesis 19:1-38WHILE Abraham was pleading with the Lord the angels were pursuing their way to Sodom. And in doing so they apparently observed the laws of those human forms which they had assumed. They did not spread swift wings and alight early in the afternoon at the gates of the city; but taking the usual route, they descended from the hills which separated Abraham’s encampment from the plain of the Jordan, and as the sun was setting reached their... read more
CHAPTER 19 The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah 1. The angels visit (Genesis 19:1-5 ) 2. Lot and the Sodomites (Genesis 19:6-11 ) 3. The destruction of Sodom announced (Genesis 19:12-13 ) 4. Lot and his sons-in-law (Genesis 19:14 ) 5. Lot brought forth (Genesis 19:15-17 ) 6. Lot’s request (Genesis 19:18-20 ) 7. The escape (Genesis 19:21-25 ) 8. Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26 ) 9. Abraham looks on (Genesis 19:27-29 ) 10. Lot’s shame (Genesis 19:30-38 ) This is a chapter of... read more
SODOM'S WICKEDNESS EXPOSED Not in the heat of the day, but in the evening, the two angels arrived at Sodom. Lot was sitting in the gate, the place of a judge. He was a believer making an effort to control the evil natures of ungodly men. Many Christians since that time have attempted to make the world better by their entering politics, but the Christian is "not of this world;" rather he has a message of grace that has power to deliver people "out of this present evil world" (Galatians 1:4),... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 19:1-38
Sodom and Gomorrah (19:1-38)Meanwhile the two messengers arrived in Sodom. Lot, knowing the danger that strangers faced in the streets of Sodom at night, welcomed them into his house (19:1-3). Although Lot did not agree with the immoral practices of Sodom (2 Peter 2:7-8), he apparently did not have the courage to oppose them. He was even prepared to allow the sexual perverts of the city to rape his daughters, in order to protect his two guests from homosexual assault. In a blinding judgment,... read more