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.

GENESIS 19:15KJV
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Genesis 19:15 (KJV)

What does Genesis 19:15 mean?

Genesis 19:15 describes how, at daybreak, the angels urged Lot to quickly gather his wife and two daughters who were present with him, warning that they must leave or they would be swept away along with the city’s wrongdoing. The verse shows the urgency and seriousness of the angels’ warning as destruction approaches.

The scene takes place in Sodom, where two angels are speaking directly to Lot. They are pressing him to act quickly because the city is about to be punished for its iniquity. The angels’ instructions are clear and direct, emphasizing the need for immediate action to avoid sharing in the city’s fate.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 19:15

  • The word for “hastened” (יָּאִיצוּ, ya’itsu) means to urge or press someone to act quickly. This highlights the angels’ sense of urgency and the danger of delay.
  • The word for “consumed” (סָפָה, safah) often means to be swept away or destroyed completely, showing that the threat is total and not just partial harm.
  • The word for “iniquity” (עָוֹן, avon) refers to guilt or wickedness, pointing to the moral reason for the coming destruction, not just a random disaster.

Why Genesis 19:15 matters

  • Genesis 19:15 clarifies that the angels’ warning was not casual but urgent, showing how close the danger was and how seriously Lot needed to respond.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing God’s willingness to rescue those who listen, even as judgment falls on others.
  • The specific mention of Lot’s wife and two daughters “which are here” makes clear that only those present and willing to leave would be spared, highlighting personal responsibility in responding to warning.

Where else these words appear

“hastened” Hebrew H213 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 5:13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
  • Proverbs 19:2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
  • Proverbs 29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

“when” Hebrew H3644 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
  • 1 Kings 22:4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
  • Isaiah 26:18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

“consumed” Hebrew H5595 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Deuteronomy 32:23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.
  • Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

“morning” Hebrew H7837 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
  • Job 38:12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
  • Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!