King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:15 Mean?

Genesis 19:15 in the King James Version says “And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 19:15 · KJV

Context

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.

17

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.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two ... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How should this truth about Lot's Daughters shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּכְמוֹ֙1 of 19

“And when”

H3644

as, thus, so

הַשַּׁ֣חַר2 of 19

“the morning”

H7837

dawn (literal, figurative or adverbial)

עָלָ֔ה3 of 19

“arose”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וַיָּאִ֥יצוּ4 of 19

“hastened”

H213

to press; (by implication) to be close, hurry, withdraw

הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים5 of 19

“then the angels”

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

בְּל֣וֹט6 of 19

“Lot”

H3876

lot, abraham's nephew

לֵאמֹ֑ר7 of 19

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

קוּם֩8 of 19

“Arise”

H6965

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

קַ֨ח9 of 19

“take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶֽת10 of 19
H853

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

אִשְׁתְּךָ֜11 of 19

“thy wife”

H802

a woman

וְאֶת12 of 19
H853

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

שְׁתֵּ֤י13 of 19

“and thy two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בְנֹתֶ֙יךָ֙14 of 19

“daughters”

H1323

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

הַנִּמְצָאֹ֔ת15 of 19

“which are here”

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

פֶּן16 of 19
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

תִּסָּפֶ֖ה17 of 19

“lest thou be consumed”

H5595

properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r

בַּעֲוֹ֥ן18 of 19

“in the iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

הָעִֽיר׃19 of 19

“of the city”

H5892

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

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 19:15 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 19:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 16:24-27Revelation 18:42 Corinthians 6:2Luke 13:24-25Proverbs 6:4-5Genesis 19:22

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

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