But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

GENESIS 19:4KJV
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Genesis 19:4 (KJV)

What does Genesis 19:4 mean?

Genesis 19:4 describes how, before Lot and his guests could settle in for the night, men from every part of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded Lot’s house. The verse emphasizes that the entire male population of the city gathered together, coming from all areas.

The scene takes place in Sodom, where Lot has just welcomed two visitors (who are actually angels) into his home. The verse sets up a tense and threatening situation, showing the overwhelming number and determination of the townsmen. This detail highlights the seriousness of what is about to happen and the complete lack of hospitality or restraint among the people of Sodom.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 19:4

  • "Men" (אֲנָשִׁים, ʾanashim): This word appears twice in the verse, underlining that it was specifically the males of the city who gathered. The repetition stresses the total involvement of the city's men.
  • "Compassed" and "round" (סָבַב, savav): The same Hebrew root is used twice, painting a picture of the house being completely surrounded. This double use adds to the sense of being trapped or besieged.
  • "Old" (זָקֵן, zaqen) and "young" (נַעַר, naʿar): These words show that the crowd included all ages, not just a certain group, making the event a city-wide action.
  • "Quarter" (קָצֶה, qatseh): This word means "end" or "edge," suggesting people came from every corner or boundary of Sodom, not just the immediate neighborhood.

Why Genesis 19:4 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that only a small group was involved; it shows the entire male population, young and old, participated, which highlights the depth of the city’s moral problem.
  • The detail that people came from every quarter of Sodom connects to the broader story, showing why the city’s judgment is portrayed as total and justified in the following verses.
  • The verse sets a dramatic and urgent tone, making clear the danger Lot and his guests faced and preparing the reader for the events that follow.

Where else these words appear

“Sodom” Hebrew H5467 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
  • Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

“quarter” Hebrew H7097 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Joshua 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

“compassed” Hebrew H5437 · used in 147 verses

  • Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
  • 2 Samuel 20:12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
  • Psalms 48:12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.