Genesis 19:18

KJV

And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Lot {H3876} said {H559} unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord {H113}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Lot said to them, "Please, no, my lord!

Berean Standard Bible

But Lot replied, “No, my lords, please!

American Standard Version

And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my lord:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lot's immediate and fearful plea captures a pivotal moment of human reluctance in the face of divine urgency. Despite the clear and present danger of Sodom's impending destruction, Lot expresses a surprising desire to negotiate with the angelic messengers, attempting to alter God's specific command to flee to the mountains, thereby revealing a deep-seated human inclination to prioritize perceived comfort over radical obedience to a life-saving divine directive.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic narrative of God's judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, immediately following the angels' urgent command to Lot and his family. Having been miraculously rescued from the violent mob of Sodomites and having witnessed the angels' supernatural power in striking the mob with blindness ([Genesis 19:11](/genesis/19-11 "The Blindness of the Sodomites")), Lot is now confronted with the terrifying reality of the city's imminent destruction. The angels' directive in [Genesis 19:17](/genesis/19-17 "The Angels' Command to Lot") was explicit: "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be swept away." Lot's response in [Genesis 19:18](/genesis/19-18 "Lot's Plea for Zoar") is a direct, albeit hesitant, reaction to this life-or-death ultimatum, setting the stage for the subsequent divine accommodation and the ultimate catastrophe.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Sodom was a prominent city in the fertile plain of the Jordan, likely located near the southern end of the Dead Sea. Its prosperity, however, was overshadowed by its profound moral corruption, which had reached a point where divine judgment was deemed necessary ([Genesis 18:20-21](/genesis/18-20-21 "The Cry of Sodom and Gomorrah")). Fleeing to the mountains, as commanded by the angels, would have meant abandoning all possessions and familiar urban comforts for a rugged, uncertain existence in the wilderness, a prospect that was culturally daunting and physically challenging. The concept of divine messengers (angels) intervening directly in human affairs was a recognized aspect of ancient Near Eastern cosmology, though their specific instructions, particularly regarding immediate and unconditional flight, would have been understood as absolute and terrifying.

* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 19:18](/genesis/19-18 "Lot's Hesitation") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the broader narrative of Genesis and the Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Deliverance**, showcasing God's righteous wrath against sin but also His merciful provision for the righteous, even if flawed ([Genesis 18:23-33](/genesis/18-23-33 "Abraham's Intercession for Sodom")). The verse also underscores the **Human Struggle with Obedience**, revealing Lot's reluctance to fully submit to a divine command that seemed difficult or inconvenient, echoing broader human tendencies seen throughout biblical history. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's Patience and Accommodation**, as the angels, representing God, ultimately allow Lot to choose an alternative, less demanding escape route, demonstrating divine condescension in the face of human weakness, a motif that finds its ultimate expression in God's covenant faithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lot (Hebrew, _Lôwṭ'_):** This is the proper name of Abraham's nephew, a figure whose narrative arc in Genesis 19 is largely defined by his association with Sodom and his subsequent deliverance. The specific mention of his name here emphasizes his personal agency and the directness of his verbal response in this critical moment of decision. His character often serves as a cautionary tale, representing one who prioritizes worldly proximity and comfort over spiritual separation, a choice that ultimately leads to his compromised situation and the tragic loss of his family.
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root is broadly used to convey the act of speaking, declaring, or answering. In this context, Lot's "saying" is not merely a passive statement but an active, emotional, and immediate verbal reaction—a plea, a protest, and an attempt to negotiate. The word choice here underscores the directness and urgency of his response to the angels' command, indicating a moment of intense internal conflict and his desire to engage with and potentially alter the divine directive.
* **Lord (Hebrew, _ʼâdôwn'_):** This term, meaning "sovereign," "controller," "master," or "owner," is used by Lot to address the angelic messengers. While it can refer to human superiors, in this divine encounter, it signifies Lot's recognition of the angels' supreme authority and their role as emissaries of God. His use of "my Lord" acknowledges their power and status, yet paradoxically, he immediately follows this respectful address with a plea to contradict their command. This tension highlights the human tendency to acknowledge divine authority intellectually while struggling to submit to it practically, especially when it demands personal sacrifice or discomfort.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Lot said unto them,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes Lot as the speaker, initiating a direct and personal dialogue with the angelic messengers. It sets the scene for his verbal response, emphasizing his active engagement in the unfolding drama. The clarifying "unto them" ensures that his words are understood as being directed specifically to the two angels who have just delivered the urgent and terrifying command to flee the doomed city.
* **"Oh, not so, my Lord:"**: This is Lot's immediate, visceral, and almost desperate reaction to the angels' command to flee to the mountains. The interjection "Oh, not so" (אַל־נָא, *al-na*) expresses a strong plea, protest, or request for the command to be revoked or altered. It reveals his fear, apprehension, and deep reluctance to obey the specific, difficult instruction. His subsequent address, "my Lord," acknowledges the authority and divine nature of the angels, yet the preceding "not so" demonstrates a surprising attempt to negotiate or persuade them, indicating a profound human desire to find an easier, more comfortable path than the one divinely ordained, even in the face of imminent destruction. This phrase encapsulates Lot's internal conflict between recognizing divine authority and yielding to personal fear and attachment to the familiar.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning and impact. **Dialogue** is central, as Lot's direct address to the angels initiates a crucial exchange that immediately reveals his character and the unfolding drama of the divine judgment. The phrase "Oh, not so" functions as an **Exclamation** or **Interjection**, powerfully conveying Lot's immediate, emotional, and almost desperate reaction to the angels' terrifying command. This abrupt protest creates a moment of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is fully aware of the dire consequences of lingering in Sodom, yet Lot, despite being warned, hesitates and attempts to negotiate his escape route. Furthermore, the entire interaction serves as a subtle form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the subsequent partial obedience and tragic loss of Lot's wife, who, unlike Lot, does not even voice a protest but disobeys by looking back ([Genesis 19:26](/genesis/19-26 "Lot's Wife Becomes a Pillar of Salt")). The **Contrast** between the angels' urgent, life-saving command and Lot's reluctant, self-preserving plea highlights the tension between divine will and human weakness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lot's plea in [Genesis 19:18](/genesis/19-18 "Lot's Hesitation") serves as a profound theological touchstone, illustrating the persistent human struggle with radical obedience to divine commands, especially when those commands demand a departure from comfort or familiarity. Despite witnessing divine power and being privy to God's imminent judgment, Lot's fear and attachment to his established life in Sodom manifest as a desire to negotiate God's specific instructions. This moment underscores the tension between God's perfect will and humanity's often-flawed response, yet it also remarkably highlights God's enduring patience and condescension, as He mercifully accommodates Lot's request for an alternative escape route, demonstrating His desire for salvation even in the midst of righteous judgment.

* [Luke 9:62](/luke/9-62 "No One Who Puts His Hand to the Plow and Looks Back") - Jesus' warning about the commitment required for discipleship, echoing the urgency and finality of the angels' command to Lot not to look back.
* [Hebrews 11:8](/hebrews/11-8 "Abraham's Obedience of Faith") - Abraham's exemplary faith-filled obedience to go out "not knowing where he was going," which stands in stark contrast to Lot's hesitation and desire for a known, albeit less safe, destination.
* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "Separation from the World") - The New Testament call for believers to "come out from among them and be separate," paralleling the command to Lot to flee Sodom and its pervasive corruption.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 19:18](/genesis/19-18 "Lot's Reluctance to Obey") offers a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine our own responses to God's directives. Lot's hesitation, though ultimately met with God's patience, introduced a dangerous delay in his escape from imminent judgment. This narrative compels us to consider how readily we embrace or resist God's commands, particularly when they call for radical change, separation from comfortable but compromising environments, or a leap of faith into the unknown. Are we quick to obey, trusting in God's perfect wisdom and provision, or do we, like Lot, attempt to negotiate, seeking a path that aligns more with our comfort or perceived safety? The story reminds us that while God is infinitely patient and merciful, His warnings are urgent, and His commands are always for our ultimate good and spiritual preservation. True safety and flourishing are found not in modifying God's will, but in complete and immediate surrender to it, trusting that His way, however difficult it may seem, is always the best way.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be "lingering" or hesitating to obey a clear directive from God, much like Lot in Sodom?**
* **What "mountains" (difficult, unfamiliar paths) might God be calling you to, and what "plains" (comfortable, familiar but potentially compromising situations) are you tempted to cling to?**
* **How does Lot's attempt to negotiate with the angels challenge your own tendency to rationalize or modify God's will to suit your comfort?**
* **How can you cultivate a heart of immediate and trusting obedience to God, even when His commands seem inconvenient or counter-intuitive?**

### FAQ
**Why did Lot hesitate to obey the angels' command to flee to the mountains?**

Answer: Lot's hesitation likely stemmed from a complex mix of human fear, attachment to the familiar, and a perceived difficulty of the command. Fleeing to the rugged, uncertain mountains represented a radical departure from his settled, urban life in Sodom, which, despite its corruption, offered a sense of security and familiarity. He may have feared the dangers of the wilderness or the loss of his possessions and social standing. This reluctance highlights a common human tendency to prioritize immediate comfort or perceived safety over radical, albeit life-saving, obedience to divine directives, even when faced with clear and present danger.

**What does Lot's use of "my Lord" (Adoni) signify in this context, given his subsequent plea?**

Answer: Lot's use of "my Lord" (Hebrew: *ʼâdôwn*, H113) indicates a respectful acknowledgment of the angels' authority and superior status. While *ʼâdôwn* can be used for human superiors, in this instance, given the angels' supernatural power and divine mission as emissaries of God, it signifies Lot's recognition of their divine authority. However, the fact that he immediately follows this respectful address with "Oh, not so" reveals a tension: he acknowledges their power intellectually but struggles with practical submission due to personal fear and a desire for an easier path. It demonstrates that recognizing God's authority does not automatically translate into perfect, immediate obedience, especially when that obedience demands personal sacrifice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lot's desperate plea and the angels' patient, yet firm, directive in [Genesis 19:18](/genesis/19-18 "Lot's Hesitation and the Angels' Patience") powerfully foreshadow the greater deliverance and the perfect obedience found in Jesus Christ. Just as Lot was commanded to flee a city doomed for destruction, humanity is called to [flee from the wrath to come](/matthew/3-7 "Fleeing the Wrath to Come") by turning to Christ, who offers the ultimate refuge and salvation. While Lot hesitated and sought an easier path to Zoar, Jesus Christ perfectly obeyed the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross, becoming the true "Lord" (Adonai) who not only commands but also provides the way of escape and the strength for perfect obedience. His urgent call to repentance and faith ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Repent and Believe the Gospel")) is an urgent summons to escape spiritual destruction, and unlike Lot's partial obedience, Christ demands and enables a complete turning away from the world and a trusting reliance on His finished work for salvation. He is the one who leads us not to a temporary Zoar, but to the eternal safety of His kingdom, where His commands are not burdensome but lead to abundant life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus Came to Give Life Abundantly")).

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

John 13:6

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

John 13:8

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

2 Kings 5:11

But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

2 Kings 5:12

[Are] not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

Isaiah 45:11

¶ Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

Acts 10:14

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

Genesis 32:26

And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.