Genesis 19:4

KJV

¶ 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:

KJV (with Strong's)

But before they lay down {H7901}, the men {H582} of the city {H5892}, even the men {H582} of Sodom {H5467}, compassed {H5437} the house {H1004} round {H5437}, both old {H2205} and young {H5288}, all the people {H5971} from every quarter {H7097}:

Complete Jewish Bible

But before they could go to bed, the men of the city surrounded the house -young and old, everyone from every neighborhood of S'dom.

Berean Standard Bible

Before they had gone to bed, all the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, surrounded the house.

American Standard Version

But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both young and old, all the people from every quarter;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 19:4 offers a chilling snapshot of Sodom's profound moral depravity, revealing that before Lot's angelic guests could even rest, the entire male population of the city, from the oldest to the youngest, converged with menacing intent to surround Lot's house. This pivotal moment serves as irrefutable, immediate evidence of the city's pervasive wickedness, setting the stage for the swift and decisive divine judgment that follows and underscoring the urgent necessity for Lot and his family's escape.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 19:4 immediately follows the arrival of two angels in Sodom, who were sent by the Lord to investigate the outcry against the city, as detailed in [Genesis 18:20-21](/genesis/18-20-21 "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah"). Lot, Abraham's nephew, extends urgent hospitality to these strangers, insisting they stay in his home for the night ([Genesis 19:1-3](/genesis/19-1-3 "The angels' arrival and Lot's hospitality")). Verse 4 dramatically interrupts this scene of hospitality, introducing the city's inhabitants as a collective, hostile force, and setting the stage for the shocking revelation of their specific sin in [Genesis 19:5](/genesis/19-5 "Sodom's demand to know the men"), which directly precipitates the divine judgment. This verse functions as a crucial narrative pivot, moving from the angels' arrival and Lot's welcome to the city's confrontation and impending destruction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, hospitality was not merely a social custom but a sacred, divinely sanctioned obligation. Offering shelter and protection to travelers, especially strangers, was a deeply ingrained cultural norm, often seen as a matter of honor and survival in harsh environments. To violate this sacred trust was considered an egregious offense, a profound breach of social and religious order. The events of Genesis 19 occur in the fertile plain of the Jordan, near the Dead Sea, a region described as well-watered and prosperous, like the "garden of the Lord" ([Genesis 13:10](/genesis/13-10 "Lot chooses the Jordan Valley")). This prosperity, however, seems to have fostered moral decay rather than gratitude, leading to the rampant sin that characterizes Sodom. The collective action of the entire male population against Lot's guests highlights a societal breakdown where even the most fundamental ethical codes were discarded.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 19:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and biblical theology. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **pervasive human depravity**, demonstrating how sin can corrupt an entire society, from the "old" to the "young," leading to collective guilt and an open defiance of righteousness. It underscores the **sacredness of hospitality** as a divine mandate, contrasting Sodom's egregious violation with Abraham's exemplary welcome of divine visitors in [Genesis 18:1-8](/genesis/18-1-8 "Abraham's hospitality to divine visitors"). Most importantly, this verse provides undeniable **justification for divine judgment**, serving as concrete evidence that the "outcry" against Sodom was indeed "great" and its "sin very grievous" ([Genesis 18:20](/genesis/18-20 "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah")), thus affirming God's justice and righteousness in His subsequent actions. It also subtly introduces the theme of **deliverance from judgment** for the righteous, however imperfect, through Lot's rescue.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **compassed (Hebrew, _çâbab'_ - H5437):** This verb means "to revolve, surround, or border." In this context, it vividly describes the hostile encirclement of Lot's house by the men of Sodom. It conveys a sense of deliberate, collective action, creating a menacing atmosphere of siege. The repetition of the word in the KJV ("compassed... round") emphasizes the completeness and deliberateness of the encirclement. It is not a casual gathering but a focused, intimidating maneuver.
* **old (Hebrew, _zâqên'_ - H2205):** Referring to those who are "aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator." The inclusion of "old" signifies that even the venerable, those typically expected to embody wisdom and uphold societal norms, were complicit in the city's depravity. This detail underscores the depth and universality of Sodom's corruption, indicating that no segment of the male population was exempt from its pervasive wickedness.
* **young (Hebrew, _naʻar'_ - H5288):** This term denotes "a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl." The presence of the "young" alongside the "old" is particularly chilling, as it indicates that the moral decay was not a passing phase or a habit of a specific generation, but a deeply ingrained cultural norm being passed down. It suggests a complete lack of moral education or restraint, with even the youth participating in such egregious acts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But before they lay down,"**: This opening phrase establishes the immediate timeframe of the event, emphasizing the urgency and suddenness of the mob's appearance. The angels had barely settled in Lot's home, highlighting the city's swift and aggressive response to the presence of strangers, even before nightfall or rest could truly begin.
* **"the men of the city, [even] the men of Sodom,"**: This phrase identifies the perpetrators. The repetition "men of the city, even the men of Sodom" serves to emphasize that this was not a random group or a few individuals, but the collective male populace of the entire city. It underscores the widespread nature of the depravity, making it clear that the city as a whole was implicated.
* **"compassed the house round,"**: This describes the specific action of the mob. They surrounded Lot's house, creating a hostile perimeter. This encirclement implies a deliberate and menacing intent, signifying a siege-like situation where Lot and his guests were trapped and threatened. It's a visual representation of their aggressive posture.
* **"both old and young, all the people from every quarter:"**: This final clause details the composition and extent of the mob. The inclusion of "old and young" signifies that the wickedness permeated all age groups, from the elders to the youth, indicating a complete societal moral collapse. "All the people from every quarter" further emphasizes the universality of this corruption, suggesting that every male resident, regardless of their location within the city, participated in this collective act of aggression, leaving no doubt about the city's pervasive and deep-seated sin.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 19:4 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, as the phrase "all the people from every quarter" and "both old and young" strongly suggests that virtually every male in Sodom participated, emphasizing the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the city's wickedness. While perhaps not literally every single male, the language conveys the idea of a universal moral corruption, leaving no segment of society untouched. **Imagery** is vividly used to create a palpable sense of menace and siege, with the men "compassing the house round," painting a picture of a trapped Lot and his guests. This visual also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the specific depraved demands that will be made in the following verse, and the inevitable judgment that such widespread evil will incur. The **Repetition** of "the men of the city, even the men of Sodom" serves to underscore the collective identity and unified, hostile intent of the mob, emphasizing that this was a city-wide phenomenon, not an isolated incident.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 19:4 is a stark theological statement on the depths of human depravity and the pervasive nature of sin. It demonstrates how unchecked wickedness can permeate an entire society, leading to a complete breakdown of moral order and an open defiance of divine and human standards of decency. The collective action of "old and young" underscores that sin is not confined to a particular demographic but can corrupt all ages and segments of a community, leading to collective guilt and the necessity of divine intervention. This scene serves as a powerful biblical example of a society that has reached the full measure of its iniquity, necessitating God's righteous judgment.

* [Leviticus 18:22](/leviticus/18-22 "Prohibition of Homosexual Acts")
* [Deuteronomy 23:17](/deuteronomy/23-17 "Prohibition of Cult Prostitution")
* [Jude 1:7](/jude/1-7 "Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of eternal fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 19:4 serves as an enduring and profound warning against the dangers of widespread moral decay and the inevitable consequences of a society that rejects fundamental human decency and divine standards. For believers today, this passage compels us to exercise moral vigilance, not only in our personal lives but also in discerning the spiritual climate of our communities and cultures. It challenges us to stand firm against pervasive wickedness, even when it is popular, normalized, or widespread, and to actively protect the vulnerable from exploitation and harm. The scene powerfully illustrates how unchecked sin can escalate from individual acts to collective aggression, leading to a complete breakdown of societal norms and an open defiance of righteousness. This serves as a crucial reminder against the slippery slope of moral compromise, urging us to cultivate a counter-cultural commitment to righteousness, hospitality, and justice, even when it means standing apart from the prevailing currents of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the pervasive nature of sin in Sodom, as depicted in this verse, challenge our understanding of societal responsibility and collective guilt?**
* **In what ways might our contemporary society exhibit similar signs of moral decay, and how should believers respond?**
* **What does Lot's act of hospitality, contrasted with the city's response, teach us about the importance of welcoming strangers and protecting the vulnerable today?**

### FAQ
**What does "compassed the house round" signify in Genesis 19:4?**

Answer: The phrase "compassed the house round" signifies a hostile and menacing encirclement of Lot's dwelling by the entire male population of Sodom. This action demonstrates a collective, aggressive intent to confront Lot and his guests, creating a palpable sense of siege and a complete disregard for Lot's authority and the safety of those under his roof. It implies that Lot and his visitors were trapped and threatened.

**Why is the involvement of "both old and young" significant in this verse?**

Answer: The detail that "both old and young" participated is profoundly significant because it underscores the pervasive and deeply ingrained moral corruption within Sodom. It indicates that the depravity was not confined to a specific age group, a rebellious faction, or a fringe element, but had permeated the entire society, from the most experienced elders to the impressionable youth. This signifies a complete societal moral collapse, where even those who should have been guardians of morality were complicit in wickedness, and the next generation was being indoctrinated into it.

**Does Genesis 19:4 explicitly state the sin of Sodom?**

Answer: While Genesis 19:4 powerfully describes the *action* that reveals Sodom's widespread depravity—the menacing encirclement of Lot's house by the entire male population—it does not explicitly state the *specific nature* of their sin. The specific, depraved demand to sexually "know" the guests is explicitly stated in the subsequent verse, [Genesis 19:5](/genesis/19-5 "Sodom's demand to know the men"). However, Genesis 19:4 serves as crucial evidence of the aggressive, pervasive, and unified wickedness that characterized the city, setting the immediate and undeniable context for the revelation of their specific sin and the impending divine judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 19:4, by exposing the utter depths of human depravity and the pervasive nature of sin that permeated an entire city, implicitly highlights humanity's desperate and universal need for a divine deliverer. The impending judgment on Sodom, precipitated by such overt wickedness, foreshadows the ultimate judgment against all unrighteousness, a judgment from which only Christ can save. Unlike the hostile mob surrounding Lot's house, Jesus, the ultimate Host and Good Shepherd, does not come to besiege or condemn, but to offer true hospitality, refuge, and salvation to those alienated by sin, welcoming them into His eternal kingdom ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "The Good Shepherd") and [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Come to me, all who labor")). Furthermore, just as God sent angels as messengers to warn and deliver Lot from the city's corruption, God ultimately sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the supreme Messenger and Deliverer. Jesus entered a world steeped in sin, not to call down fire, but to offer the only means of escape from eternal judgment through His atoning sacrifice on the cross ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world")). His coming confronts the pervasive evil that human depravity represents, offering redemption and a new life to all who believe, thereby fulfilling the promise of deliverance from the consequences of sin that Sodom so tragically illustrated.

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 13:13

But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Proverbs 4:16

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.

Exodus 23:2

Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest [judgment]:

Genesis 18:20

And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

Jeremiah 5:1

¶ Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be [any] that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

Jeremiah 5:6

Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, [and] a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased.

Romans 3:15

Their feet [are] swift to shed blood: