King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:20 Mean?

Genesis 19:20 in the King James Version says “Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, ( is it not a little one?...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, ( is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.”

Genesis 19:20 · KJV

Context

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:

20

Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, ( is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.

21

And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. thee: Heb. thy face

22

Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. Zoar: that is, Little

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is i... 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 does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  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 · 17 words
הִנֵּה1 of 17
H2009

lo!

נָ֠א2 of 17
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

הָעִ֨יר3 of 17

“Behold now this city”

H5892

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

הַזֹּ֧את4 of 17
H2063

this (often used adverb)

קְרֹבָ֛ה5 of 17

“is near”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

לָנ֥וּס6 of 17

“to flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

שָׁ֖מָּה7 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הִ֖וא8 of 17

“unto and it”

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מִצְעָ֛ר9 of 17

“is a little one”

H4705

petty (in size or number); adverbially, a short (time)

אִמָּֽלְטָ֨ה10 of 17

“Oh let me 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

נָּ֜א11 of 17
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

שָׁ֗מָּה12 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

הֲלֹ֥א13 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מִצְעָ֛ר14 of 17

“is a little one”

H4705

petty (in size or number); adverbially, a short (time)

הִ֖וא15 of 17

“unto and it”

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וּתְחִ֥י16 of 17

“shall live”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

נַפְשִֽׁי׃17 of 17

“and my soul”

H5315

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

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 19:20 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 19:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 119:175Proverbs 3:5-7Genesis 12:13Amos 3:6Isaiah 55:3Genesis 19:30

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