Genesis 19:20-22 ESV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 19:21

And he said unto him, see, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also ,.... Accepted thy prayer and granted thy request, as well as in other things; shown grace and mercy to thee: or, "have lifted up thy face" F5 נשאתי פניך "suscepi faciem tuam", Pagninus, Moatanus, Vatablus, Drusius, Piscator. ; alluding to the custom of the eastern countries, where persons, when they come into the presence of their superiors, used to prostrate their faces to the ground; when, as a token of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 19:22

Haste thee, escape thither ,.... Seeing he had granted him his request, he is urgent upon him to be gone, and not to delay upon any account, or make other excuses: for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither ; that is, consistent with the decree of God, that Lot and his family should be delivered and preserved, and with his promise made to him, that he would not overthrow that city; and therefore the catastrophe which would befall all the cities at once could not begin until he... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 19:21

See, I have accepted thee - How prevalent is prayer with God! Far from refusing to grant a reasonable petition, he shows himself as if under embarrassment to deny any. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 19:22

I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither - So these heavenly messengers had the strictest commission to take care of Lot and his family; and even the purposes of Divine justice could not be accomplished on the rebellious, till this righteous man and his family had escaped from the place. A proof of Abraham's assertion, The Judge of all the earth will do right. The name of the city was called Zoar - צוער Tsoar , Little, its former name being Bela. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 19:21

Verse 21 21.See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also. Some ignorantly argue from this expression, that Lot’s prayer was pleasing to God, because he assented to his request, and gave him what he sought. For it is no new thing for the Lord sometimes to grant, as an indulgence, what he, nevertheless, does not approve. And he now indulges Lot, but in such way, that he soon afterwards corrects his folly. Meanwhile, however, since God so kindly and gently bears with the evil wishes of his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 19:22

Verse 22 22.I cannot do any thing. Since the angel had not only been sent as an avenger to destroy Sodom, but also had received a command for the preservation of Lot; he therefore declares, that he will not do the former act, unless this latter be joined with it; because it is not at the option of the servant to divide those things which God has joined together. I am not, however, dissatisfied with the explanation of some, who suppose the angel to speak in the person of God. For although in... 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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 19:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 19:22

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 19:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 19:22

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 19:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 19:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 19:20

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