Genesis 19:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 19:15-23

1. With what a gracious violence Lot was brought out of Sodom, Gen. 19:16. It seems, though he did not make a jest of the warning given, as his sons-in-law did, yet he lingered, he trifled, he did not make so much haste as the case required. Thus many that are under some convictions about the misery of their spiritual state, and the necessity of a change, yet defer that needful work, and foolishly linger. Lot did so, and it might have been fatal to him it the angels had not laid hold of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 19:20

Behold now, this city is near to flee unto ,.... Pointing to Bela, afterwards called Zoar, from what follows: it is said to be two miles distant from Sodom F26 Bunting's Travels, p. 63. . But the Jews F1 T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 2,3. & Gloss. in ib. say it was four miles, and some say F2 T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 94. 1. five; for they reckon that a man may go five miles from the ascent of the morning (or break of day) till the sun shines out: and it is a little one ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 19:20

It is a little one - Probably Lot wished to have it for an inheritance, and therefore pleaded its being a little one, that his request might be the more readily granted. Or he might suppose, that being a little city, it was less depraved than Sodom and Gomorrah, and therefore not so ripe for punishment; which was probably the case. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 19:20

Behold now, this city is near to flee unto (literally, thither ) , and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither , (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live . Lot's meaning was that since Zoar was the smallest of the cities of the Pentapolis, it would not be a great demand on God's mercy to spare it, and it would save him from further exertions for his safety. A singular display of moral obtuseness and indolent selfishness on the part of Lot. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 19:1-38

- The Destruction of Sodom and Amorah9. גשׁ־<הלאה gesh-hāl'âh, “approach to a distant point,” stand back.11. סנורים sanevērı̂ym, “blindness,” affecting the mental more than the ocular vision.37. מואב mô'āb, Moab; מאב mē'āb, “from a father.” בן־עמי ben-‛amı̂y, Ben-‘ammi, “son of my people.” עמון ‛amôn, ‘Ammon, “of the people.”This chapter is the continuation and conclusion of the former. It records a part of God’s strange work - strange, because it consists in punishment, and because... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 19:20

is it not a little one? Figure of speech Epitrechon. my soul = myself. Hebrew my nephesh. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 19:18-22

"And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so my lord: behold now, thy servant hath found favour in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy lovingkindness, which thou hast shown unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountains, lest evil overtake me, and I die. Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one. Oh let me escape thither (is it not a little one?), and my soul shall live. And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 19:12-22

"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

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 19:1-38

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

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