The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.

GENESIS 19:23KJV
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Genesis 19:23 (KJV)

What does Genesis 19:23 mean?

Genesis 19:23 states that the sun had already risen over the land when Lot arrived in Zoar. This sets the exact time of day when Lot reached safety, just before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah began.

The verse is part of the story where Lot, warned by angels, flees from Sodom with his family to escape coming judgment. The detail about the sun rising shows that Lot’s escape happened at dawn, emphasizing both the urgency and the narrowness of his deliverance. The mention of Zoar marks the place of refuge Lot reached after leaving Sodom.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 19:23

  • sun (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh): This word simply means "sun," but its mention here highlights the new day beginning as Lot escapes, possibly symbolizing hope or a new start.
  • risen (יָצָא, yatsa’): This verb means "to go out" or "to come forth." Here, it describes the sun coming up over the earth, marking a specific moment in time.
  • earth (אֶרֶץ, erets): Usually means "land" or "earth." In this context, it refers to the ground or region Lot is traveling through.
  • Lot (לוֹט, Lot): The personal name of Abraham’s nephew, the main character escaping the city.
  • entered (בּוֹא, bo’): Means "to come in" or "to enter." It shows the exact moment Lot arrives in Zoar, signaling his safety.
  • Zoar (צֹעַר, Tso‘ar): The name of the small town Lot flees to, which means "small" or "insignificant." Its mention marks the destination of Lot’s escape.

Why Genesis 19:23 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Lot’s escape was completed just in time, underlining the urgency and precision of the rescue.
  • By marking the time as sunrise, the verse connects the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to a specific, observable moment, grounding the story in real events.
  • The detail about Zoar’s name and location helps readers track Lot’s journey and understand the geography of the story, making the narrative more vivid and relatable.

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.

“Lot” Hebrew H3876 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 11:27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
  • Genesis 13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
  • Genesis 19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

“sun” Hebrew H8121 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
  • 2 Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.