King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:14 Mean?

Genesis 19:14 in the King James Version says “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.”

Genesis 19:14 · KJV

Context

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.

14

And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

15

And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. are here: Heb. are found iniquity: or, punishment

16

And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you... 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).

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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 deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
צְּאוּ֙1 of 22

“get you out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

ל֜וֹט2 of 22

“And Lot”

H3876

lot, abraham's nephew

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר׀3 of 22

“and spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל4 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲתָנָֽיו׃5 of 22

“his sons in law”

H2860

a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)

לֹֽקְחֵ֣י6 of 22

“which married”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְנֹתָ֗יו7 of 22

“his daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙8 of 22

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ק֤וּמוּ9 of 22

“Up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

צְּאוּ֙10 of 22

“get you out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִן11 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמָּק֣וֹם12 of 22

“of this place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַזֶּ֔ה13 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּֽי14 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מַשְׁחִ֥ית15 of 22

“will destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

יְהוָ֖ה16 of 22

“for the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת17 of 22
H853

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

הָעִ֑יר18 of 22

“this city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וַיְהִ֥י19 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִמְצַחֵ֖ק20 of 22

“But he seemed as one that mocked”

H6711

to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport

בְּעֵינֵ֥י21 of 22

“unto”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

חֲתָנָֽיו׃22 of 22

“his sons in law”

H2860

a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal)

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 19:14 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 19:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 16:21Jeremiah 51:6Numbers 16:45Numbers 16:262 Chronicles 30:10Revelation 18:4-8

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