And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

GENESIS 19:3KJV
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Genesis 19:3 (KJV)

What does Genesis 19:3 mean?

Genesis 19:3 describes how Lot insisted that the two visitors stay at his house, and after they agreed, he prepared a meal for them, including unleavened bread, and they ate together. The verse highlights Lot’s strong hospitality and the care he showed to his guests.

In this scene, Lot is in the city of Sodom, and the two visitors are actually angels, though they appear as men. Lot urges them not to spend the night in the city square, likely out of concern for their safety. His preparation of a feast and unleavened bread shows both urgency and generosity, setting the stage for the events that follow in Sodom.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 19:3

  • The word "pressed" (פָּצַר, patsar) means to urge strongly or insist. This shows Lot’s determination to protect his guests, not just a polite invitation.
  • The word "feast" (מִשְׁתֶּה, mishteh) refers to a meal or banquet, suggesting Lot offered more than just basic hospitality.
  • The word "unleavened bread" (מַצָּה, matzah) means bread made without yeast, often prepared quickly. This detail hints at urgency, as there was no time to let bread rise.

Why Genesis 19:3 matters

  • The verse shows the seriousness with which hospitality was viewed in ancient times, especially in contrast to the behavior of the rest of Sodom.
  • Lot’s insistence and the urgency of the meal foreshadow the danger and haste that will soon follow in the story.
  • The mention of unleavened bread connects this moment to other biblical stories where quick departure or urgent hospitality is important, such as the Exodus.

Where else these words appear

“pressed” Hebrew H6484 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 19:9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
  • Judges 19:7 And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.
  • 2 Kings 2:17 And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.

“bake” Hebrew H644 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 40:1 And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.
  • Genesis 41:10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker:
  • 1 Samuel 8:13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

“bread” Hebrew H4682 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
  • Leviticus 2:5 And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in a pan, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil.
  • Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

“feast” Hebrew H4960 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 21:8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
  • Esther 2:18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
  • Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.