TRV
Translation
King James Version
But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
Complete Jewish Bible
But the men inside reached out their hands, brought Lot into the house to them and shut the door.
Berean Standard Bible
But the men inside reached out, pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door.
American Standard Version
But the men put forth their hand, and brought Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
World English Bible Messianic
But the men reached out their hand, and brought Lot into the house to them, and shut the door.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But the men put forth their hand and pulled Lot into the house to them and shut to ye doore.
Young's Literal Translation
And the men put forth their hand, and bring in Lot unto them, into the house, and have shut the door;
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In the KJVVerse 468 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 19 verses 4–11
4 ¶ But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
11 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.
Now it appeared, beyond contradiction, that the cry of Sodom was no louder than there was cause for. This night's work was enough to fill the measure. For we find here,
I. That they were all wicked, Gen 19:4. Wickedness had become universal, and they were unanimous in any vile design. Here were old and young, and all from every quarter, engaged in this riot; the old were not past it, and the young had soon come up to it. Either they had no magistrates to keep the peace, and protect the peaceable, or their magistrates were themselves aiding and abetting. Note, When the disease of sin has become epidemical, it is fatal to any place, Isa 1:5-7.
II. That they had arrived at the highest pitch of wickedness; they were sinners before the Lord exceedingly (Gen 13:13); for, 1. It was the most unnatural and abominable wickedness that they were now set upon, a sin that still bears their name, and is called Sodomy. They were carried headlong by those vile affections (Rom 1:26, Rom 1:27), which are worse than brutish, and the eternal reproach of the human nature, and which cannot be thought of without horror by those that have the least spark of virtue and any remains of natural light and conscience. Note, Those that allow themselves in unnatural uncleanness are marked for the vengeance of eternal fire. See Jde 1:7. 2. They were not ashamed to own it, and to prosecute their design by force and arms. The practice would have been bad enough if it had been carried on by intrigue and wheedling; but they proclaimed war with virtue, and bade open defiance to it. Hence daring sinners are said to declare their sin as Sodom, Isa 3:9. Note, Those that have become impudent in sin generally prove impenitent in sin; and it will be their ruin. Those have hard hearts indeed that sin with a high hand, Jer 6:15. 3. When Lot interposed, with all the mildness imaginable, to check the rage and fury of their lust, they were most insolently rude and abusive to him. He ventured himself among them, Jer 6:6. He spoke civilly to them, called them brethren (Gen 19:7), and begged of them not to do so wickedly; and, being greatly disturbed at their vile attempt, he unadvisedly and unjustifiably offered to prostitute his two daughters to them, Gen 19:8. It is true, of two evils we must choose the less; but of two sins we must choose neither, nor ever do evil that good may come of it. He reasoned with them, pleaded the laws of hospitality and the protection of his house which his guests were entitled to; but he might as well have offered reason to a roaring lion and a raging bear as to these head-strong sinners, who were governed only by lust and passion. Lot's arguing with them does but exasperate them; and, to complete their wickedness, and fill up the measure of it, they fall foul upon him. (1.) They ridicule him, charge him with the absurdity of pretending to be a magistrate, when he was not so much as a free-man of their city, Gen 19:9. Note, It is common for a reprover to be unjustly upbraided as a usurper; and, while offering the kindness of a friend, to be charged with assuming the authority of a judge: as if a man might not speak reason without taking too much upon him. (2.) They threaten him, and lay violent hands upon him; and the good man is in danger of being pulled in pieces by this outrageous rabble. Note, [1.] Those that hate to be reformed hate those that reprove them, though with ever so much tenderness. Presumptuous sinners do by their consciences as the Sodomites did by Lot, baffle their checks, stifle their accusations, press hard upon them, till they have seared them and quite stopped their mouths, and so made themselves ripe for ruin. [2.] Abuses offered to God's messengers and to faithful reprovers soon fill the measure of a people's wickedness, and bring destruction without remedy. See Pro 29:1, and Ch2 36:16. If reproofs remedy not, there is no remedy. See Ch2 25:16.
III. That nothing less than the power of an angel could save a good man out of their wicked hands. It was now past dispute what Sodom's character was and what course must be taken with it, and therefore the angels immediately give a specimen of what they further intended. 1. They rescue Lot, Ch2 25:10. Note, He that watereth shall be watered also himself. Lot was solicitous to protect them, and now they take effectual care for his safety, in return for his kindness. Note further, Angels are employed for the special preservation of those that expose themselves to danger by well-doing. The saints, at death, are pulled like Lot into a house of perfect safety, and the door shut for ever against those that pursue them. 2. They chastise the insolence of the Sodomites: They smote them with blindness, Gen 19:11. This was designed, (1.) To put an end to their attempt, and disable them from pursuing it. Justly were those struck blind who had been deaf to reason. Violent persecutors are often infatuated so that they cannot push on their malicious designs against God's messengers, Job 5:14, Job 5:15. Yet these Sodomites, after they were struck blind, continued seeking the door, to break it down, till they were tired. No judgments will, of themselves, change the corrupt natures and purposes of wicked men. If their minds had not been blinded as well as their bodies, they would have said, as the magicians, This is the finger of God, and would have submitted. (2.) It was to be an earnest of their utter ruin, the next day. When God, in a way of righteous judgment, blinds men, their condition is already desperate, Rom 11:8, Rom 11:9.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 4–11. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 19:10 vividly portrays the immediate and forceful intervention of the two angelic visitors, who, witnessing Lot's perilous situation and their own safety compromised by the aggressive, depraved mob of Sodom, swiftly pulled Lot back into the house and securely shut the door. This pivotal moment not only underscores the profound moral decay that permeated Sodom but also powerfully highlights God's protective hand, exercised through His divine messengers, even amidst extreme danger and human moral failings.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse marks a dramatic turning point in the unfolding narrative of Sodom's impending judgment, occurring immediately after Lot's deeply flawed and desperate attempt to appease the violent men of the city. The preceding verses Genesis 19:1-9 establish the arrival of two angels, disguised as men, into Sodom, where Lot, a righteous man living amidst profound wickedness, extended hospitality to them. The men of Sodom quickly surrounded Lot's house, demanding that he bring out his visitors so they could "know" them, a euphemism for sexual assault. In a morally compromised and agonizing effort to protect his guests, Lot had just offered his own virgin daughters to the ravenous mob, a testament to the extreme pressure and moral confusion he faced. Genesis 19:10 depicts the angels' swift and decisive intervention, not only to rescue Lot from the violent crowd but also to secure their own safety, thereby setting the stage for the catastrophic divine judgment that would soon be unleashed upon the city, a judgment provoked by the "great outcry" against Sodom and Gomorrah mentioned in Genesis 18:20.
Historical & Cultural Context: The cultural context of ancient Near Eastern hospitality is crucial here. Offering shelter and protection to travelers was a sacred duty, and any violation of this custom was considered a grave offense. The men of Sodom's demand for Lot's guests was not merely a breach of hospitality but an act of extreme sexual perversion and violence, demonstrating a profound societal breakdown. Homosexual acts were explicitly condemned in Mosaic Law (e.g., Leviticus 18:22), and the narrative here portrays Sodom's pervasive and unrepentant embrace of such practices. The city's location in the fertile Jordan Valley, described as "like the garden of the Lord" in Genesis 13:10, ironically juxtaposes its natural abundance with its spiritual barrenness and moral corruption, which had reached a point of no return, necessitating divine judgment.
Key Themes: Genesis 19:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of Divine Protection and Intervention, showcasing God's direct involvement in human affairs, even in moments of extreme peril, to preserve His chosen ones. Secondly, it starkly highlights the Depravity of Humanity when left unchecked by divine restraint, particularly the profound wickedness of Sodom, which had become utterly consumed by sin, demanding judgment. Thirdly, the verse subtly touches upon the theme of God's Mercy Amidst Human Flaw, as Lot, despite his morally questionable offer of his daughters, is still deemed righteous enough for divine rescue, aligning with later biblical characterizations of him as "righteous Lot" in 2 Peter 2:7-8. Finally, it reinforces the Nature of Angelic Beings as powerful agents of God's will, capable of physical intervention and executing divine judgment, as seen in their subsequent actions against the mob and the city.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 19:10 provides a concise yet profound account of the decisive actions taken by the two angelic visitors in response to the escalating threat posed by the men of Sodom. As Lot stood outside, desperately attempting to reason with or appease the aggressive mob, his life and the divinely appointed mission of the angels were in immediate peril.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The narrative of Genesis 19:10 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact and theological significance. Divine Intervention is the most prominent device, as the angels' swift and powerful actions directly resolve a humanly insurmountable crisis, highlighting God's active involvement in the unfolding drama. The verse employs Contrast between Lot's moral compromise and the angels' decisive righteousness, and between the vulnerability of Lot and the overwhelming power of the divine messengers. The "door" itself functions as potent Symbolism, representing a threshold of safety and separation. Its shutting signifies a definitive boundary, a point of no return, and the sealing off of divine protection from the encroaching evil. This act also serves as Foreshadowing of the impending judgment, as the closure of the door to the righteous anticipates the opening of the heavens for wrath upon the unrighteous outside. The narrative's rapid pacing in this verse further heightens the sense of urgency and immediate peril.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully encapsulates several profound theological truths. It vividly demonstrates God's direct and potent intervention through His angelic messengers to protect Lot and themselves from the violent, sexually depraved mob. This act of pulling Lot to safety underscores God's sovereign power actively working on behalf of the righteous, even when they are flawed and make morally questionable decisions. The aggressive, immoral demands of the men of Sodom, their readiness to violently breach Lot's hospitality, and their unyielding wickedness despite Lot's pleas, starkly highlight the city's profound moral corruption and its readiness for divine judgment. Despite Lot's morally compromised offer of his own daughters to the mob, the angels still act to save him, emphasizing God's mercy towards Lot, who is described elsewhere as a righteous man. This demonstrates that divine grace and protection can extend even to those who falter, underscoring God's faithfulness to His covenant and His discernment of a righteous heart amidst widespread depravity.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 19:10 serves as a stark and powerful reminder that even in the face of overwhelming evil, profound moral decay, and personal danger, God provides protection for His people. It highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of divine intervention when human efforts prove futile, misguided, or simply insufficient against the forces of darkness. While Lot's actions were deeply flawed and morally reprehensible, the narrative powerfully reinforces the principle that God often acts on behalf of those who seek to honor Him, even imperfectly. This verse also stands as a potent warning about the destructive consequences of unchecked sin and the ultimate judgment that awaits societies that defiantly reject divine standards. It underscores the importance of standing for righteousness, seeking God's intervention in a corrupt world, and trusting in His protective hand even when our own strength fails or our discernment is clouded.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who were "the men" who pulled Lot into the house?
Answer: The "men" referred to in Genesis 19:10 were the two angels who had arrived in Sodom in Genesis 19:1. They had appeared in human form to Lot and were acting as God's divine messengers and agents of protection, sent specifically to deliver Lot and his family before the destruction of the city.
Why did the angels need to "pull" Lot? Couldn't he have walked in himself?
Answer: The Hebrew verb bôwʼ (H935), translated as "pulled," implies a forceful, urgent, and decisive action, more akin to "drawing in" or "bringing in" with power. This suggests that Lot may have been hesitant, overwhelmed by the aggressive mob, or even physically constrained by the crowd at the door. The angels' forceful pulling indicates the immediacy of the danger and their decisive intervention to ensure Lot's rapid and secure removal from the aggressive, violent crowd, leaving no room for further negotiation or delay.
What does this incident reveal about the depravity of Sodom?
Answer: This incident profoundly reveals the extreme and pervasive depravity of Sodom. The mob's aggressive demand for sexual relations with Lot's guests, their willingness to violently break down Lot's door, and their complete disregard for the sacred laws of hospitality and moral boundaries—even when Lot offered his own daughters—demonstrate a pervasive and unyielding wickedness. Their actions illustrate a society so utterly consumed by sin that it had reached a point of no return, necessitating immediate and severe divine judgment, as the outcry against them had reached God's ears (see Genesis 18:20-21).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 19:10 directly portrays the physical intervention of angels, it profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate source of divine protection, deliverance, and judgment. Just as the angels physically pulled Lot from imminent danger outside the door of judgment, Christ is the one who delivers His people from the greater danger of sin, spiritual death, and the wrath to come, pulling them into the safety of His eternal kingdom. The judgment foreshadowed by Sodom's destruction finds its ultimate reality in Christ's dual role as both the merciful Savior and the righteous Judge. He is the one who "shuts the door" of salvation to those who persistently reject Him (Matthew 25:10-12), but also the one who, by His perfect sacrifice on the cross, provides the ultimate refuge and security for all who believe, protecting them from the spiritual consequences of sin and the coming judgment (Romans 5:9-10). Through Christ, believers are not merely pulled into a house, but into the very presence of God, secured by His grace for all eternity (John 10:28-29).