King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:23 Mean?

Genesis 19:23 in the King James Version says “The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. risen: Heb. gone forth” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. risen: Heb. gone forth”

Genesis 19:23 · KJV

Context

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

23

The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. risen: Heb. gone forth

24

Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

25

And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.... 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 obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
הַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ1 of 7

“The sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

יָצָ֣א2 of 7

“was risen”

H3318

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

עַל3 of 7
H5921

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

הָאָ֑רֶץ4 of 7

“upon the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְל֖וֹט5 of 7

“when Lot”

H3876

lot, abraham's nephew

בָּ֥א6 of 7

“entered”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

צֹֽעֲרָה׃7 of 7

“into Zoar”

H6820

tsoar, a place east of the jordan

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 19:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Places in This Verse

ZoarSettlement · Modern: Al Safi · 31.04°N, 35.49°E9 verses across 4 books
View all places in Genesis 19 →

Test Your Knowledge

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