Genesis 19:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they smote the men that [were] at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then they struck the men at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they couldn't find the doorway.

Berean Standard Bible:

And they struck the men at the entrance, young and old, with blindness, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the door.

American Standard Version:

And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And they smote^{H5221} the men^{H582} that were at the door^{H6607} of the house^{H1004} with blindness^{H5575}, both small^{H6996} and great^{H1419}: so that they wearied^{H3811} themselves to find^{H4672} the door^{H6607}.

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Commentary for Genesis 19:11

Genesis 19:11 is part of the narrative concerning the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities known for their wickedness. The historical context is set within the story of Abraham and his nephew Lot. Earlier in the chapter, two angels, disguised as men, visit Lot in Sodom to warn him of the impending destruction.

The verse in question describes an event where the men of Sodom, driven by lust and violence, surround Lot's house demanding that he hand over his guests so they can abuse them. In response, the angels strike the men with blindness, which is both a punishment for their intentions and a means of protecting Lot and his family.

Themes present in this verse and the surrounding narrative include:

1. **Judgment and Divine Justice**: The blindness inflicted upon the men of Sodom is a direct act of divine intervention, signaling the beginning of God's judgment on the cities for their sinfulness.

2. **Hospitality and Protection**: Lot's willingness to protect his guests at great personal risk reflects the ancient Near Eastern value of hospitality. The angels' actions reinforce the importance of safeguarding guests.

3. **Sexual Immorality and Violence**: The behavior of the men of Sodom highlights the depth of their depravity, emphasizing the themes of sexual immorality and societal corruption that warrant divine retribution.

4. **God's Mercy**: Despite the impending punishment, God's messengers provide a way for Lot and his family to escape, illustrating the theme of mercy amidst judgment.

5. **Retribution and Consequences**: The blindness serves as a concrete consequence for the Sodomites' ill intent, illustrating the broader theme that actions have consequences, particularly when those actions are in direct opposition to God's moral law.

This event is often referenced in discussions about the biblical perspective on homosexuality, though interpretations vary on whether the primary sin of Sodom was inhospitality, sexual immorality, or a broader range of transgressions. The story also sets a precedent for how God deals with sin and the importance of heeding divine warnings.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5221
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָכָה
   Transliteration: nâkâh
   Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound.
   
2. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6607
   There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּתַח
   Transliteration: pethach
   Pronunciation: peh'-thakh
   Description: from פָּתַח; an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way; door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate, opening, place.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1004
   There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּיִת
   Transliteration: bayith
   Pronunciation: bah'-yith
   Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
   
5. Strong's Number: H5575
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סַנְוֵר
   Transliteration: çanvêr
   Pronunciation: san-vare'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; (in plural) blindness; blindness.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6996
   There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָטָן
   Transliteration: qâṭân
   Pronunciation: kaw-tawn'
   Description: or קָטֹן; from קוּט; abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance); least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing), young(-er, -est).
   
7. Strong's Number: H1419
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּדוֹל
   Transliteration: gâdôwl
   Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
   Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3811
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָאָה
   Transliteration: lâʼâh
   Pronunciation: law-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted; faint, grieve, lothe, (be, make) weary (selves).
   
9. Strong's Number: H4672
   There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָצָא
   Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.