King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:17 Mean?

Genesis 19:17 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, n...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 19:17 · KJV

Context

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.

18

And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:

19

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:

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; loo... 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. What theological truths about Sodom's Destruction emerge from this passage?
  2. How should this truth about Lot's Daughters shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיְהִי֩1 of 19
H1961

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

כְהֽוֹצִיאָ֨ם2 of 19

“And it came to pass when they had brought them forth”

H3318

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

אֹתָ֜ם3 of 19
H853

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

הַח֗וּצָה4 of 19

“abroad”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙5 of 19

“that he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִמָּלֵ֖ט6 of 19

“Escape”

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

עַל7 of 19

“for”

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ8 of 19

“thy life”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אַל9 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּבִּ֣יט10 of 19

“look”

H5027

to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care

אַֽחֲרֶ֔יךָ11 of 19

“not behind thee”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וְאַֽל12 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּעֲמֹ֖ד13 of 19

“neither stay”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בְּכָל14 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַכִּכָּ֑ר15 of 19

“thou in all the plain”

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

הָהָ֥רָה16 of 19

“to the mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הִמָּלֵ֖ט17 of 19

“Escape”

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

פֶּן18 of 19
H6435

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

תִּסָּפֶֽה׃19 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

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 19:17 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 19:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 24:16-18Luke 9:62Philippians 3:13-14Genesis 19:26Genesis 19:22Matthew 3:7

Places in This Verse

Jordan ValleyValley · Modern: Jordan Valley · 32.32°N, 35.57°E8 verses across 2 books
View all places in Genesis 19 →

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