Genesis 19:30

¶ And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

And Lot {H3876} went up {H5927} out of Zoar {H6820}, and dwelt {H3427} in the mountain {H2022}, and his two {H8147} daughters {H1323} with him; for he feared {H3372} to dwell {H3427} in Zoar {H6820}: and he dwelt {H3427} in a cave {H4631}, he and his two {H8147} daughters {H1323}.

Lot went up from Tzo'ar and lived in the hills with his two daughters, because he was afraid to stay in Tzo'ar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave.

Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains—for he was afraid to stay in Zoar—where they lived in a cave.

And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

Commentary

Genesis 19:30 describes Lot's continued movement after the miraculous deliverance from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting his fear and his chosen place of refuge.

Context

Following the divine judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot, his wife, and two daughters were rescued by angels. Lot's wife perished for looking back, becoming a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). Lot and his daughters were permitted to flee to Zoar, a small city spared at Lot's plea (Genesis 19:20). However, despite this divine mercy and specific instruction, Lot developed a profound fear of dwelling in Zoar. This verse shows him abandoning that initial refuge for an even more isolated existence in a mountain cave, accompanied only by his daughters.

Key Themes

  • Lingering Fear and Insecurity: Despite being saved from a cataclysmic event, Lot's fear persisted. He did not feel secure even in Zoar, which God had explicitly spared for him. This suggests a deep internal insecurity, perhaps a result of the trauma he experienced or a lack of complete trust in God's provision. His decision to retreat to a cave underscores a profound sense of vulnerability.
  • Isolation and Retreat: The move from a city (Zoar) to a mountain cave symbolizes a complete withdrawal from society. This extreme isolation, though perhaps intended for safety, inadvertently set the stage for the subsequent moral compromise detailed in the following verses (Genesis 19:31-38). It highlights how seeking refuge purely out of fear, rather than faith, can lead to unforeseen and challenging circumstances.
  • Consequences of Compromised Living: While Lot was righteous in God's eyes (2 Peter 2:7-8), his long association with the wickedness of Sodom evidently had a lasting impact on his judgment and well-being. Even after deliverance, his life was marked by fear and a compromised future, demonstrating that while God saves, the consequences of past choices and environments can linger.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Zoar" (Hebrew: צֹעַר, Tso'ar) means "little one" or "insignificance," reflecting its small size and Lot's plea for it to be spared as a "little one." The term "cave" (Hebrew: מְעָרָה, m'arah) emphasizes a place of deep concealment and natural shelter, but in this context, it also signifies profound isolation and a desperate retreat from perceived danger.

Practical Application

Lot's story serves as a poignant reminder that salvation from external danger does not automatically eradicate internal struggles like fear or the lingering effects of a compromised past. Even when God provides a way of escape, our human fears can lead us to make choices that further complicate our lives. This verse encourages us to examine our own motivations for seeking refuge and to cultivate a deep trust in God's continued protection, even when circumstances seem daunting. It also subtly warns against extreme isolation, which can sometimes lead to greater vulnerability and moral pitfalls. Instead, we are called to trust in God and not fear, even in challenging times.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 19:19 (3 votes)

    Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

  • Genesis 13:10 (2 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 19:17 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Jeremiah 2:36 (2 votes)

    Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

  • Jeremiah 2:37 (2 votes)

    Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.

  • Jeremiah 48:34 (2 votes)

    From the cry of Heshbon [even] unto Elealeh, [and even] unto Jahaz, have they uttered their voice, from Zoar [even] unto Horonaim, [as] an heifer of three years old: for the waters also of Nimrim shall be desolate.

  • James 1:8 (2 votes)

    A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.