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

GENESIS 19:22KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 19:22 (KJV)

What does Genesis 19:22 mean?

Genesis 19:22 means that the angel tells Lot to hurry and escape to the small city of Zoar, because the angel cannot begin the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah until Lot reaches safety there. The city is named Zoar, meaning "small," because Lot requested to flee there instead of the mountains.

In this verse, one of the angels is speaking directly to Lot as Sodom is about to be destroyed. The angel urges Lot to move quickly, explaining that nothing can happen to the city until Lot and his family are safely out of harm’s way. This shows the urgency of the situation and highlights that Lot’s safety is a condition for the coming judgment.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 19:22

  • "Haste" (מַהֵר, maher): This word means to hurry or act quickly. The angel’s command emphasizes the immediate danger and the need for Lot to act without delay.
  • "Escape" (מָלַט, malat): This word means to flee or save oneself. The focus is on Lot’s need to get out to survive.
  • "Cannot" (יוּכַל, yukhal): This word means "to be able" or "can." The angel says he is not able to do anything until Lot is safe, stressing that Lot’s presence is holding back the coming destruction.
  • "Zoar" (צֹעַר, Tso‘ar): The name means "small" or "insignificant." The city’s name is a reminder of Lot’s request for a small refuge instead of fleeing to the mountains.

Why Genesis 19:22 matters

  • Genesis 19:22 clarifies that God’s judgment on Sodom was delayed specifically for Lot’s sake, showing a personal concern for his safety.
  • The verse highlights the importance of obedience and urgency in responding to God’s warnings, as Lot’s delay could have put him in danger.
  • Naming the city "Zoar" connects the story to Lot’s earlier plea and shows how even small details in the narrative carry meaning about God’s care and the unfolding events.

Where else these words appear

“Zoar” Hebrew H6820 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • Genesis 14:8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela(the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
  • Deuteronomy 34:3 And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.

“Haste” Hebrew H4116 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  • Judges 13:10 And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.
  • Esther 5:5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

“escape” Hebrew H4422 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 19:17 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.
  • Esther 4:13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
  • Isaiah 46:2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.