Genesis 19:17

KJV

And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth {H3318} abroad {H2351}, that he said {H559}, Escape {H4422} for {H5921} thy life {H5315}; look {H5027} not behind thee {H310}, neither stay {H5975} thou in all the plain {H3603}; escape {H4422} to the mountain {H2022}, lest thou be consumed {H5595}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they had brought them out, he said, "Flee for your life! Don't look behind you, and don't stop anywhere in the plain, but escape to the hills! Otherwise you will be swept away."

Berean Standard Bible

As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the Plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 19:17 captures the urgent, life-saving divine command issued by an angel to Lot, his wife, and two daughters as they were led out of the doomed cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This imperative instruction demanded immediate flight, an absolute prohibition against looking back, and a complete separation from the entire plain, underscoring the severe consequences of disobedience and the critical necessity of unwavering trust in God's designated path to safety amidst impending judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment following the dramatic events of Genesis 19. Two angels, sent by the Lord, had arrived in Sodom and were hosted by Lot. The extreme depravity of the city's inhabitants, who attempted to assault the angels, confirmed God's righteous judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah. Having miraculously rescued Lot's family from the mob and blinded the men of Sodom, the angels then revealed God's imminent plan to destroy the cities. Genesis 19:15-16 describes the angels' forceful intervention to physically remove the hesitant Lot, his wife, and two daughters from the city's gates just before dawn. Verse 17, therefore, represents the crucial, final instructions given to the family as they stood on the threshold of escape, emphasizing the urgency and conditions for their survival. It sets the stage for the subsequent destruction and the tragic fate of Lot's wife.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were located in the fertile "plain of the Jordan," likely in the southern Dead Sea region, known for its lushness before its destruction (cf. [Genesis 13:10](/genesis/13-10 "Genesis 13:10 - The Plain of Jordan")). These cities were infamous for their extreme wickedness, particularly their sexual perversion and inhospitality, which had reached a point where divine judgment was inevitable (cf. [Genesis 18:20-21](/genesis/18-20-21 "Genesis 18:20-21 - The Outcry Against Sodom and Gomorrah")). The command to flee to the "mountain" reflects a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of mountains as places of refuge, elevated above the plains and often associated with divine presence or safety from floods and military threats. The urgency of the command also speaks to the swiftness and totality of ancient divine judgments, which often involved natural phenomena (like fire and brimstone) that left no room for hesitation or lingering.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 19:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and biblical theology. Primarily, it highlights God's **righteous judgment against sin** and His **divine mercy** in providing a way of escape for the righteous, even a relative righteous like Lot (cf. [2 Peter 2:7-8](/2_peter/2-7-8 "2 Peter 2:7-8 - Lot's Righteous Soul")). The command to "escape for thy life" underscores the **urgency of obedience** to divine warnings, particularly when facing imminent danger or judgment. The prohibitions against looking back or staying in the plain powerfully convey the theme of **complete separation from sin and the world's corrupting influence**. This theme is further reinforced by the tragic outcome for [Lot's wife in Genesis 19:26](/genesis/19-26 "Genesis 19:26 - Lot's Wife Becomes a Pillar of Salt"), serving as a stark warning about the **consequences of disobedience** and a lingering affection for the world. Ultimately, the verse also subtly points to God's **sovereign provision of refuge** for those who trust and obey Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Escape (Hebrew, _mâlaṭ'_):** This primitive root properly means "to be smooth," which by implication leads to the idea of "escaping" (as if by slipperiness). Causatively, it means "to release or rescue." In this context, it conveys an intense, desperate urgency for self-preservation, emphasizing that Lot and his family must swiftly and decisively deliver themselves from the imminent, overwhelming danger. It is a command for immediate, unhindered flight.
* **Look not (Hebrew, _nâbaṭ'_):** The root `nâbaṭ` means "to scan" or "look intently at," often implying a careful or focused gaze. When combined with the negative particle and the phrase "behind thee" (Hebrew, _ʼachar'_), it forms a strict prohibition against any backward glance. This is more than a casual look; it forbids a lingering, longing, or regretful gaze towards the condemned cities, symbolizing a spiritual or emotional attachment to the world being judged.
* **Mountain (Hebrew, _har'_):** This term refers to a "mountain or range of hills." In this context, it represents the divinely appointed place of refuge and safety, a stark contrast to the low-lying "plain" which was destined for destruction. The command to flee to the mountain signifies a complete and decisive separation from the corrupting influence and the coming judgment, highlighting a place of elevated security and divine sanctuary.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said,"**: This opening clause establishes the setting and the divine initiative. The angels had physically led Lot's family out of the city's confines, placing them "abroad" or outside the immediate danger zone, before the crucial instructions were delivered. This highlights God's active role in their deliverance.
* **"Escape for thy life;"**: This is the primary, urgent command. It emphasizes the dire stakes: their very existence depended on immediate and decisive flight. It's a personal plea for self-preservation, underscoring the imminence and totality of the impending judgment.
* **"look not behind thee,"**: This is a crucial prohibition against any backward glance. It forbids not just a physical turn, but any lingering affection, regret, or desire for the condemned cities and the life they were leaving behind. It demands a complete and decisive break, spiritually and emotionally, from the world God was judging.
* **"neither stay thou in all the plain;"**: This second prohibition reinforces the first, demanding absolute separation. There was to be no hesitation, no partial obedience, and no attempt to find a halfway measure of safety within the doomed region. The entire plain was under judgment, requiring total removal from its boundaries.
* **"escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed."**: This final instruction provides the specific destination for safety and reiterates the dire consequence of disobedience. The "mountain" is the divinely designated sanctuary, symbolizing complete removal from the judgment. The warning "lest thou be consumed" emphasizes the totality of the destruction awaiting those who failed to obey, implying utter annihilation or being swept away by the divine wrath.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Imperative Mood** is dominant, with commands like "Escape," "look not," "neither stay," and "escape to the mountain," creating a sense of immediate, non-negotiable action. The use of **Contrast** is stark between the doomed "plain" and the safe "mountain," symbolizing the spiritual dichotomy between judgment and refuge. **Symbolism** is also at play: "looking back" symbolizes a lingering attachment to sin or the world, while the "mountain" symbolizes divine refuge and a complete break from the condemned. The phrase "Escape for thy life" is an example of **Hyperbole** or intense urgency, emphasizing the extreme peril and the absolute necessity of immediate action for survival. The narrative itself functions as a **Cautionary Tale**, especially when read in light of Lot's wife's fate, highlighting the dire consequences of partial obedience or spiritual compromise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 19:17 serves as a profound theological statement on God's character and the nature of salvation. It vividly portrays God as both a righteous Judge who must punish sin and a merciful Deliverer who provides a way of escape for those He chooses to save. The urgency of the command underscores the critical importance of immediate and unwavering obedience to divine warnings, particularly when faced with the consequences of sin and impending judgment. The prohibitions against looking back or lingering in the plain highlight the necessity of a complete, decisive break from all that is contrary to God's will, emphasizing that genuine salvation requires a full turning away from the world and its allurements. This passage foreshadows the broader biblical theme that true deliverance demands a radical separation from the old life and a wholehearted pursuit of God's appointed path.

* [Luke 17:32](/luke/17-32 "Luke 17:32 - Remember Lot's Wife")
* [Philippians 3:13-14](/philippians/3-13-14 "Philippians 3:13-14 - Forgetting What Is Behind")
* [Hebrews 12:1-2](/hebrews/12-1-2 "Hebrews 12:1-2 - Running the Race with Perseverance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 19:17 offers timeless and potent lessons for believers in every age, urging us to respond with decisive action to God's call for salvation and sanctification. Just as Lot was commanded to flee without looking back, we are called to make a complete and unwavering break from past sins, worldly attachments, and the allure of anything that would draw us away from Christ. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that there is no spiritual safety in lingering near sin or attempting to find a compromise between God's will and the world's ways. Jesus himself echoed this sentiment when he warned, "[Remember Lot's wife](/luke/17-32 "Luke 17:32 - Remember Lot's Wife")," and declared that "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" ([Luke 9:62](/luke/9-62 "Luke 9:62 - No Looking Back")). True discipleship demands forward momentum, wholehearted commitment, and an absolute trust in God's provision and path. Our refuge and safety are found only in complete obedience to His Word, fleeing from all forms of temptation and seeking sanctuary in His presence and perfect will, knowing that hesitation or compromise can lead to spiritual ruin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "plains" or "Sodoms" in my life am I being called to flee from, and am I truly escaping without looking back?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "stay" or linger, rather than making a complete break for God's designated "mountain"?**
* **How does the urgency of "escape for thy life" translate into my daily walk with Christ and my response to His commands?**
* **What attachments or desires might be preventing my full and unwavering obedience to God's call for separation and sanctification?**

### FAQ
**Why was Lot's family forbidden from looking back or staying in the plain?**

Answer: The prohibition against looking back and staying in the plain was a profound test of complete obedience and a symbolic demand for total separation from the condemned cities and their sinful ways. Looking back would have indicated a lingering affection for the world God was judging, a desire for what was left behind, or a lack of full trust in God's provision for their future. Similarly, staying in the plain, even outside the city, would represent partial obedience or a compromise with the very evil God was destroying, which would still expose them to the judgment. God required a decisive, unreserved, and wholehearted break from the old life and its influences to ensure their complete deliverance and demonstrate the absolute nature of His judgment. This is why [Lot's wife's disobedience](/genesis/19-26 "Genesis 19:26 - Lot's Wife Becomes a Pillar of Salt") served as such a stark warning.

**What is the significance of the command to "escape to the mountain"?**

Answer: The "mountain" represents the divinely appointed place of safety and refuge, a sanctuary from the impending destruction of the plain. Theologically, it signifies a complete and decisive separation from the corrupting influence and judgment of the world. It underscores that true safety and deliverance are found only in following God's specific instructions and seeking refuge in the place He designates, which often requires leaving behind familiar comforts or dangers. It is a call to radical obedience and trust, moving towards God's provision rather than attempting to find safety in a compromised or self-chosen location. It highlights that God always provides a way of escape for those who obey His commands, even when the surrounding circumstances are dire.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 19:17, with its urgent call to "escape for thy life" from impending judgment, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate "mountain" of refuge, the only true escape from the condemnation of sin and the righteous wrath of God. Just as Lot's family was commanded to flee to a designated place of safety, humanity is called to flee from sin and the world's allure and find salvation exclusively in Christ. His sacrificial death on the cross provides the means of escape from eternal judgment (cf. [Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8-9 "Romans 5:8-9 - Justified by His Blood")). Furthermore, His call to discipleship demands a decisive break from the old life, a refusal to "look back" at the former ways of sin and worldly attachments (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), and an unwavering commitment to follow Him into newness of life. In Christ, believers secure eternal deliverance from the judgment to come, finding their ultimate sanctuary and hope in Him alone (cf. [John 3:16-18](/john/3-16-18 "John 3:16-18 - God So Loved the World")).

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

Matthew 24:16

Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Matthew 24:18

Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

Luke 9:62

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Philippians 3:13

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Genesis 19:26

¶ But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Genesis 19:22

Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.