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.

Haste {H4116} thee, escape {H4422} thither; for I cannot {H3201} do {H6213} any thing {H1697} till thou be come {H935} thither. Therefore the name {H8034} of the city {H5892} was called {H7121} Zoar {H6820}.

Hurry, and escape to that place, because I can't do anything until you arrive there." For this reason the city was named Tzo'ar [small].

Hurry! Run there quickly, for I cannot do anything until you reach it.” That is why the town was called Zoar.

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

Commentary

Genesis 19:22 KJV is a pivotal verse in the dramatic account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting divine mercy and the urgency of escape from impending judgment. It records the angel's crucial declaration to Lot, revealing God's restraint and compassion even amidst His righteous wrath.

Context

This verse immediately follows Lot's fervent plea for mercy and his request to flee to a small city nearby, rather than the mountains, as originally commanded by the angels. The angels, sent by God, were tasked with destroying the exceedingly wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their grievous sin. Lot, living in Sodom, was being rescued by divine intervention, largely due to God's remembrance of Abraham (Genesis 19:29). The angelic command to Lot was to "Haste thee, escape thither," emphasizing the critical timeline before divine judgment would commence upon the region.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restraint and Mercy: The phrase "for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither" powerfully illustrates God's incredible patience and mercy even in the execution of righteous judgment. It signifies that God's judgment is precise and deliberate, ensuring the safety of those He intends to save before His wrath is poured out. This demonstrates God's ordered and just nature, prioritizing the deliverance of the righteous before acting.
  • Urgency of Obedience: The command to "Haste thee" underscores the immediate and non-negotiable need for Lot's swift obedience. In the face of divine judgment and impending disaster, delay can be fatal. This serves as a timeless reminder of the biblical call to respond promptly to God's warnings and invitations for salvation, recognizing that opportunities for escape may be time-sensitive.
  • The City of Zoar as Refuge: The renaming of the city to Zoar (from its original name Bela, mentioned in Genesis 14:2) signifies its new identity as a place of "smallness" or "insignificance." Yet, this seemingly minor location served as a divinely appointed refuge for Lot. Lot's initial plea for this specific city (Genesis 19:20) was granted out of God's compassion, highlighting how God accommodates human weakness and provides a way of escape even when it deviates from His initial instructions.

Linguistic Insights

The name Zoar (צֹעַר, Tso'ar in Hebrew) literally means "smallness" or "insignificance." This name was given because Lot himself described it as a "little one" (מִצְעָר, mits'ar) in his desperate plea to the angels. The new name permanently reflects its modest size and perhaps its relative unimportance compared to the grander cities, yet it became the crucial point of safety for Lot and his daughters. It underscores how God can use even seemingly insignificant places or circumstances for His profound divine purposes of salvation and refuge.

Practical Application

Genesis 19:22 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us of the certainty of God's judgment on sin, but also His profound mercy that consistently provides a way of escape for those who heed His call. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of immediate and decisive action when God calls us to flee from spiritual danger or to embrace His salvation. Just as Lot had to "haste," so too are we called to respond to God's grace without delay, recognizing the urgency of spiritual matters. Our ultimate refuge is found not in a physical city, but in God himself, a secure haven from all spiritual and eternal judgment. This verse serves as a powerful reminder to not neglect so great salvation that has been offered through Christ.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 13:10 (5 votes)

    ¶ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

  • Genesis 14:2 (4 votes)

    [That these] made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.

  • Deuteronomy 9:14 (3 votes)

    Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.

  • Genesis 32:25 (3 votes)

    And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

  • Genesis 32:28 (3 votes)

    And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

  • Exodus 32:10 (3 votes)

    Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

  • Psalms 91:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.