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.

GENESIS 19:30KJV
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Genesis 19:30 (KJV)

What does Genesis 19:30 mean?

Genesis 19:30 describes Lot leaving the town where he had taken refuge and settling in the mountains with his two daughters. His fear of remaining in Zoar moves the family from a town to a cave, where the next part of their story takes place.

The narrator tells the reader about the move; Lot does not speak in this verse. After Lot had reached Zoar in verse 23, the mention of a cave gives the reader a picture of the family’s new surroundings.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 19:30

  • “dwelt” — יָשַׁב (yashav): This word can mean to live, stay, or settle somewhere. Its repeated use describes Lot’s place of residence, first in the mountains and then more specifically in a cave.
  • “up” — עָלָה (ʿalah): This word often means to go up or ascend. Alongside “the mountain,” it gives a sense of Lot’s movement toward higher ground.

Why Genesis 19:30 matters

  • Zoar was a place of refuge, but Lot’s stay there did not last. Earlier, Lot had asked to flee to that small town rather than to the mountain in Genesis 19:19–20.
  • The verse narrows the focus to Lot and his two daughters. Their presence together in the cave sets the scene for the account that follows in Genesis 19:31–38.

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:

“cave” Hebrew H4631 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 23:9 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
  • Joshua 10:17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
  • 2 Samuel 23:13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.