Genesis 19:21 kjv

And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.

Genesis 19:21 nkjv

And he said to him, "See, I have favored you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken.

Genesis 19:21 niv

He said to him, "Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of.

Genesis 19:21 esv

He said to him, "Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken.

Genesis 19:21 nlt

"All right," the angel said, "I will grant your request. I will not destroy the little village.

Genesis 19 verses

Genesis 19 21 Meaning

Genesis 19:21 signifies God's direct, merciful concession to Lot's urgent plea to spare the small city of Zoar from the impending destruction destined for Sodom and Gomorrah. Through His angelic messenger, God affirms His acceptance of Lot's request, demonstrating His responsiveness to the cry of the righteous, even in a time of severe judgment. This verse showcases God's compassionate disposition, bending His predetermined judgment plan for the sake of one individual's immediate safety and fear.

Genesis 19 21 Context

Genesis chapter 19 describes the final moments before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two angels arrive in Sodom, are hospitably received by Lot, but face extreme wickedness from the city's inhabitants. The angels reveal their mission to destroy the cities due to their grievous sin and urge Lot and his family to flee to the mountains. Lot, however, expresses fear of perishing on the way to the mountains and instead pleads for the sparing of a small nearby city, previously called Bela, which he nicknames Zoar ("smallness"). This verse is the angels' response to Lot's plea, confirming divine consent to his request, emphasizing God's mercy despite Lot's compromised position in Sodom. This event follows God's prior revelation to Abraham about the impending judgment and Abraham's intercession for Sodom, laying a groundwork for Lot's miraculous rescue.

Genesis 19 21 Word analysis

• And he said: The speaker is the angelic messenger of God, exercising divine authority on behalf of the LORD. This indicates God's direct involvement and approval.
• to him: Refers to Lot, Abraham's nephew, who has been residing in Sodom. The dialogue highlights the personal nature of God's communication and grace to Lot.
• See, (הִנֵּה - hinneh): This Hebrew interjection serves as an emphatic particle, drawing immediate attention to the significant statement that follows. It can be translated as "Behold!" or "Look!" and signifies a vital divine declaration or promise.
• I have granted you (נָשָׂא פָּנִים - nasa' panim): Literally, "I have lifted up your face," or "I have accepted your face/request." The idiom expresses favor, acceptance, or showing partiality (in a good sense here, granting a specific desire). It conveys God's sovereign decision to yield to Lot's petition, an act of pure grace.
• this request (דָּבָר זֶה - davar zeh): Referring to Lot's specific petition (in Gen 19:18-20) to spare the small city of Zoar as his refuge.
• also (גַּם - gam): This adverb signifies an addition or extension. It implies that God's mercy extends beyond merely saving Lot's life (which was already guaranteed by divine intervention) to accommodating his particular choice of refuge, indicating a further act of grace beyond initial deliverance.
• that I will not overthrow (הָפַךְ - haphak): The verb haphak means "to overturn," "to overthrow," "to destroy completely." It is the same word used in Genesis 19:25 to describe the violent destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Here, it denotes an explicit divine promise to prevent this specific act of judgment upon Zoar.
• this city: Specifically refers to Zoar, the small city Lot chose as his sanctuary. Zoar means "smallness," fitting Lot's description of it as "a little one" (mizr).
• for which you have spoken (אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ עָלֶיהָ - 'asher dibbarta 'aleihah): This phrase links God's action directly to Lot's verbal petition. It highlights the direct causality between Lot's intercession (or prayer of fear/pleading) and God's merciful response. God acts because Lot "spoke" on behalf of Zoar, confirming the power of expressed petitions before the divine.

Genesis 19 21 Bonus section

The account of Zoar's sparing reveals that divine judgment, while firm against sin, is always tempered by mercy, particularly towards the righteous. However, it is noteworthy that despite God granting Lot's request, Lot ultimately does not remain in Zoar (Gen 19:30). His persistent fear leads him and his daughters to ascend into the very mountains he initially resisted. This subtly teaches that God's concession to our perceived needs (like a "safe" city) doesn't always address the root of our fear or truly provide lasting peace. Ultimate safety and peace are found not in specific places, but in trusting God's directives fully. Zoar became a symbol of spared judgment due to Lot, but not a permanent home, hinting at the transitory nature of even divinely-granted compromises in the larger spiritual journey.

Genesis 19 21 Commentary

Genesis 19:21 stands as a profound testament to God's attribute of mercy and His responsiveness to prayer, even in the context of sweeping judgment. The verse confirms that God's destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was not indiscriminate; His mercy still allowed for a deviation from the predetermined judgment when Lot, a righteous man, albeit imperfect, presented a plea. God, through His angelic agent, not only offers Lot salvation but specifically accommodates his anxious preference for a "small" and seemingly nearby refuge rather than the initially prescribed mountains. This illustrates that divine grace can adapt to human fear and limitation, providing safety where least expected. The sparing of Zoar, explicitly "for which you have spoken," underlines the efficacy of human intercession, no matter how self-focused it might seem initially. This event contrasts the prevailing wickedness that sealed the fate of the other cities with God's patient long-suffering towards the righteous, even for their less-than-ideal choices. It exemplifies God's covenant faithfulness to Abraham, as Lot's salvation was a fulfillment of the Lord's promise to spare righteous individuals and to be gracious in response to petitions.