Genesis 19:1

KJV

¶ And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing [them] rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

KJV (with Strong's)

And there came {H935} two {H8147} angels {H4397} to Sodom {H5467} at even {H6153}; and Lot {H3876} sat {H3427} in the gate {H8179} of Sodom {H5467}: and Lot {H3876} seeing {H7200} them rose up {H6965} to meet {H7125} them; and he bowed {H7812} himself with his face {H639} toward the ground {H776};

Complete Jewish Bible

The two angels came to S'dom that evening, when Lot was sitting at the gate of S'dom. Lot saw them, got up to greet them and prostrated himself on the ground.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown,

American Standard Version

And the two angels came to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face to the earth;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 19:1 marks the pivotal arrival of two divine messengers in Sodom at dusk, initiating the climactic narrative of the city's impending judgment and Lot's miraculous deliverance. The verse immediately establishes Lot's presence at the city gate, a place of civic prominence, and highlights his immediate, profound act of hospitality and reverence toward the strangers, setting a stark moral contrast with the depraved society he inhabits and foreshadowing the divine intervention about to unfold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the profound theological exchange between Abraham and the Lord in [Genesis 18](/genesis/18 "The Lord's appearance to Abraham and Abraham's intercession for Sodom"), where Abraham intercedes passionately for the righteous within Sodom. The two angels arriving in Sodom are the same two who accompanied the Lord to Abraham's tent, confirming the promise of Isaac and revealing God's intent to investigate the "great outcry" against Sodom and Gomorrah ([Genesis 18:20-21](/genesis/18-20-21 "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah")). Their arrival at the city gate, a public and legal hub, sets the stage for the dramatic events of the night, contrasting Lot's righteous hospitality with the city's inherent wickedness, which will be starkly revealed in the subsequent verses. This transition shifts the narrative focus from divine deliberation to active judgment and deliverance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, city gates were not merely points of entry but served as the central hub of urban life. They were places for commerce, legal proceedings, public assembly, and social interaction. Elders and judges would often sit at the gate to conduct official business and resolve disputes, as seen in [Ruth 4:1-2](/ruth/4-1-2 "Boaz conducting legal business at the city gate"). For Lot to be "sitting in the gate" suggests he held a position of some status or authority within Sodom, or at least was a regular, integrated participant in its public life. Hospitality was a paramount virtue in this culture, often considered a sacred duty, especially towards travelers. The act of bowing "with his face toward the ground" (prostration) was a common gesture of profound respect, deference, and submission, often shown to superiors, royalty, or divine beings, highlighting the significance of Lot's immediate response to the arriving strangers.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 19:1 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** as God's patience with human wickedness reaches its limit, fulfilling the Lord's stated intention to act upon the "great outcry" against Sodom ([Genesis 18:20](/genesis/18-20 "The great outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah")). Simultaneously, it introduces the theme of **Divine Deliverance**, as the angels' arrival is specifically for the purpose of rescuing Lot and his family, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant and His commitment to preserving a righteous remnant, even amidst widespread corruption. The verse also highlights the crucial theme of **Hospitality**, contrasting Lot's virtuous welcome with the city's subsequent depravity, a virtue consistently upheld throughout Scripture, as seen later in [Hebrews 13:2](/hebrews/13-2 "Remember to entertain strangers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 19:1 meticulously details the initial encounter that sets the stage for divine judgment and a narrow escape.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angels (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** Derived from an unused root meaning "to dispatch as a deputy," this term specifically refers to a messenger, often of God. In this context, these are not mere human travelers but divine agents, dispatched by God to execute His will concerning Sodom. Their identity as "angels" (H4397) immediately signals the supernatural and authoritative nature of their mission, directly linking back to the Lord's declaration in [Genesis 18](/genesis/18 "The Lord's appearance to Abraham").
* **Sat (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** This primitive root (H3427) means "to sit down," but can also imply "to dwell," "to remain," or "to settle." Lot's action of "sitting" in the gate suggests a settled presence, perhaps indicating a position of authority, a regular routine, or a deliberate waiting for travelers. It signifies his integration, albeit a precarious one, into the public life of Sodom.
* **Bowed (Hebrew, _shâchâh'_):** This primitive root (H7812) means "to depress," specifically "to prostrate" oneself, often reflexively, in homage to royalty or God. Lot's act of bowing "with his face toward the ground" is a profound gesture of reverence, submission, and honor. It speaks volumes about his character, his adherence to deeply ingrained cultural norms of respect, and potentially his spiritual sensitivity to the extraordinary nature of his visitors.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there came two angels to Sodom at even":** This clause establishes the divine initiative and the specific timing of the events. The arrival of "two angels" (not just men) underscores the supernatural nature of the impending judgment and deliverance. "At even" (dusk) is a practical time for travelers to seek lodging, but also symbolically precedes the moral and literal darkness that will envelop Sodom.
* **"and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom":** This detail places Lot in a position of public visibility and potential influence. The "gate of Sodom" was the city's administrative and social center, suggesting Lot's integration into the city's life, perhaps as a respected figure or a regular participant in its public affairs, despite the city's deep-seated wickedness.
* **"and Lot seeing [them] rose up to meet them":** Lot's immediate "seeing" and "rising up" demonstrate his attentiveness and eagerness to extend hospitality. This active response contrasts sharply with the later actions of the city's inhabitants, highlighting Lot's distinct character and adherence to ancient customs of welcome.
* **"and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground":** This final action is a powerful gesture of profound respect, humility, and reverence. It is the highest form of ancient Near Eastern greeting, often reserved for superiors, royalty, or divine beings. Lot's immediate prostration indicates either his spiritual discernment of their extraordinary nature or his unwavering commitment to the highest standards of hospitality, even in a morally corrupt environment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the arrival of the angels at "even" hints at the impending darkness and judgment that will soon fall upon Sodom. The contrast between Lot's immediate, profound hospitality and the city's later violent rejection of the strangers creates powerful **Irony**, highlighting the moral bankruptcy of Sodom. The setting of the "gate of Sodom" functions as **Symbolism**, representing the public sphere, civic authority, and the moral pulse of the city, emphasizing Lot's precarious position within its corrupt system. Lot's act of bowing "with his face toward the ground" is a form of **Hyperbole** in its expression of extreme deference, underscoring the gravity of the encounter and Lot's character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The arrival of the angels in Genesis 19:1 powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His unwavering awareness of human sin and His readiness to execute both righteous judgment and merciful salvation. This divine intervention underscores that no wickedness goes unnoticed and that God's patience, though long-suffering, has a limit. Simultaneously, Lot's immediate and profound act of hospitality serves as a stark moral counterpoint to the impending depravity of Sodom, highlighting a virtue that is consistently valued in God's economy and is often a prerequisite for receiving divine favor or protection.

* [Hebrews 13:2](/hebrews/13-2 "Remember to entertain strangers")
* [2 Peter 2:7-8](/2_peter/2-7-8 "Righteous Lot vexed by the filthy conversation of the wicked")
* [Luke 17:28-30](/luke/17-28-30 "As it was in the days of Lot")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 19:1 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today, particularly regarding our posture in a fallen world and the enduring value of biblical virtues. Lot's immediate and humble offer of hospitality to strangers, even within a city steeped in profound corruption, serves as a timeless example of a virtue that God deeply values. This act reminds us of the New Testament exhortation to "be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" ([Hebrews 13:2](/hebrews/13-2 "Remember to entertain strangers")), challenging us to extend grace and welcome, even when it is inconvenient or seems undeserved. The arrival of these divine messengers also powerfully signifies God's active involvement in human affairs, demonstrating His unwavering awareness of sin and His readiness to execute both righteous judgment and merciful salvation. Furthermore, Lot, though living within the depraved environment of Sodom, maintained a degree of righteousness that distinguished him from its inhabitants, as noted in [2 Peter 2:7-8](/2_peter/2-7-8 "Righteous Lot vexed by the filthy conversation of the wicked"). This illustrates the ongoing tension and call for believers to stand apart from the world's corruption while living within it, maintaining our distinct identity and values, and being prepared to act righteously when God's timing for intervention arrives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Lot's immediate and profound act of hospitality challenge my own willingness to extend grace and welcome to strangers, especially those who might be overlooked or marginalized?**
* **In what ways might I be "sitting in the gate" of a corrupt culture, and how can I ensure that my presence there reflects God's values rather than conforming to the world's depravity?**
* **Considering the angels' arrival as a sign of impending judgment, how does this verse prompt me to live with a greater awareness of God's active involvement in the world and the ultimate accountability for sin?**

### FAQ

**Who were these two angels, and why were they sent?**

Answer: These two angels were part of the three divine visitors who had previously appeared to Abraham in [Genesis 18](/genesis/18 "The Lord's appearance to Abraham and Abraham's intercession"). They were sent by God specifically to investigate the "great outcry" against Sodom and Gomorrah, to confirm the depth of the cities' wickedness, and to deliver Lot and his family before the impending divine judgment. Their divine nature underscores the seriousness of God's intent.

**Why was Lot sitting in the city gate?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cities, the city gate was the primary public space where legal proceedings, commercial transactions, and community discussions took place. Lot's presence there suggests he held a position of some prominence or authority, perhaps as an elder or a judge, or simply that he was a regular participant in the city's public life. It indicates his integration into Sodom's society, despite his personal righteousness, which would soon be tested.

**What is the significance of the angels arriving "at even"?**

Answer: "At even" (dusk or evening) was a common time for travelers to seek lodging and hospitality for the night, making Lot's offer of shelter culturally appropriate. It also carries symbolic weight, preceding the literal darkness that would soon cover Sodom, and metaphorically foreshadowing the moral darkness of the city's escalating wickedness and the subsequent divine judgment that would occur under the cover of night.

**Why did Lot "bow himself with his face toward the ground"?**

Answer: This gesture, known as prostration, was a profound act of respect, reverence, and submission in the ancient world. It was typically shown to superiors, royalty, or divine beings. Lot's immediate and humble response suggests he either recognized the extraordinary, perhaps divine, nature of his visitors, or was simply demonstrating the highest form of hospitality and deference to strangers, a virtue that would soon be starkly contrasted with the inhabitants of Sodom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 19:1, with the arrival of divine messengers to a city steeped in sin, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate advent of Christ. Just as two angels arrived to execute God's judgment and offer a narrow path of salvation, so too did Christ, the ultimate Divine Messenger and Son of God, come into a world condemned by sin, not primarily to condemn it, but to offer a comprehensive path of deliverance from eternal judgment ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved")). His first coming serves as the decisive moment for humanity, separating those who receive Him in faith from those who reject Him, much like Lot's family was separated from Sodom. Lot's immediate and profound hospitality to the strangers, who were angels, prefigures Christ's call to welcome the stranger and the "least of these" ([Matthew 25:35-40](/matthew/25-35-40 "I was a stranger, and ye took me in")), recognizing that in doing so, we serve Him. Ultimately, Christ is the One who delivers the righteous from the wrath to come, offering a salvation far greater than physical escape—eternal redemption from sin and death, and the promise of a new heaven and a new earth ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "A new heaven and a new earth")). He is the true refuge and deliverer, fulfilling the partial rescue seen in Lot's story.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 18:1

¶ And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

Genesis 18:5

And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

Genesis 18:22

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

Hebrews 13:2

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Job 31:32

The stranger did not lodge in the street: [but] I opened my doors to the traveller.