King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:28 Mean?

Genesis 19:28 in the King James Version says “And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the cou...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.”

Genesis 19:28 · KJV

Context

26

But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

27

And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:

28

And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

29

And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

30

And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, ... 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. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּשְׁקֵ֗ף1 of 17

“And he looked”

H8259

properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e., (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)

עַל2 of 17
H5921

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

פְּנֵ֖י3 of 17

“and toward”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

סְדֹם֙4 of 17

“Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וַֽעֲמֹרָ֔ה5 of 17

“and Gomorrah”

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

וְעַֽל6 of 17
H5921

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

כָּל7 of 17
H3605

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

פְּנֵ֖י8 of 17

“and toward”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָאָ֔רֶץ9 of 17

“all the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַכִּכָּ֑ר10 of 17

“of 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

וַיַּ֗רְא11 of 17

“and beheld”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְהִנֵּ֤ה12 of 17
H2009

lo!

עָלָה֙13 of 17

“went up”

H5927

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

כְּקִיטֹ֖ר14 of 17

“and lo the smoke”

H7008

a fume, i.e., cloud

הָאָ֔רֶץ15 of 17

“all the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּקִיטֹ֖ר16 of 17

“and lo the smoke”

H7008

a fume, i.e., cloud

הַכִּבְשָֽׁן׃17 of 17

“of a furnace”

H3536

a smelting furnace (as reducing metals)

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 19:28 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 19:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 18:9Revelation 9:2Jude 1:7Revelation 18:18Revelation 21:82 Peter 2:7

Places in This Verse

GomorrahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E24 verses across 11 books
Jordan ValleyValley · Modern: Jordan Valley · 32.32°N, 35.57°E8 verses across 2 books
SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
View all places in Genesis 19 →

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