King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:11 Mean?

Genesis 19:11 in the King James Version says “And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied the...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.”

Genesis 19:11 · KJV

Context

9

And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

10

But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.

11

And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

12

And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

13

For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so t... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְֽאֶת1 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאֲנָשִׁ֞ים2 of 13
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁר3 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הַפָּֽתַח׃4 of 13

“that were at the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

הַבַּ֗יִת5 of 13

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הִכּוּ֙6 of 13

“And they smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בַּסַּנְוֵרִ֔ים7 of 13

“with blindness”

H5575

(in plural) blindness

מִקָּטֹ֖ן8 of 13

“both small”

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

וְעַד9 of 13
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

גָּד֑וֹל10 of 13

“and great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וַיִּלְא֖וּ11 of 13

“so that they wearied”

H3811

to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted

לִמְצֹ֥א12 of 13

“themselves to find”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

הַפָּֽתַח׃13 of 13

“that were at the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 19:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 19:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 6:18Acts 13:11Deuteronomy 28:28-29Jeremiah 2:36Ecclesiastes 10:15Isaiah 57:10

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 19 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 19 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes