21. See, I have accepted thee concerning this . . . also—His request was granted him, the prayer of faith availed, and to convince him, from his own experience, that it would have been best and safest at once to follow implicitly the divine directions. read more
22. Haste . . . for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither—The ruin of Sodom was suspended till he was secure. What care God does take of His people ( :-)! What a proof of the love which God bore to a good though weak man! read more
"In order to show that the rescue of Lot was in response to the prayer of Abraham, the narrative reads so that the words of the messengers ["swept away," Genesis 19:15; Genesis 19:17] recall explicitly the words of Abraham’s prayer in behalf of the righteous in the previous chapter ["sweep away," Genesis 18:23]." [Note: Sailhamer, The Pentateuch . . ., p. 170.] 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
(21) I have accepted thee.—Heb., I have lifted up thy face. (See Note on Genesis 4:6-7.) read more
(22) Zoar.—This town is identified by Dr. Tristram (Land of Moab, p. 330) with Zi’ara, at the northern end of the Dead Sea. It is described as lying upon the borders of the Moabite territory, in Isaiah 15:5; Jeremiah 48:34. Eusebius says that a Roman garrison was posted there, but he probably accepted the current tradition which placed the five cities at the southern extremity of the lake. 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
19:20 Behold now, this city [is] near to flee unto, and it [is] a little one: Oh, let me escape thither,([is] it not a {k} little one?) and my soul shall live.(k) Though it is little, yet it is great enough to save my life: in which he errs by choosing another place than the angel had appointed him. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 19:22
Genesis 19:22. Therefore—called Zoar— It was before called Bela. See ch. Genesis 14:2. and being saved at Lot's intercession, because it was a little one, it was thence called Zoar, or little. It stood on the utmost skirt of the plain of Jordan, and was one of the five cities in that region where Sodom stood. REFLECTIONS.—We have here Lot's flight and rescue from the burnings of Sodom. Though ten righteous were not found to save the whole, one righteous man is found, and he shall save himself... read more