Genesis 19:23 kjv

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

Genesis 19:23 nkjv

The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar.

Genesis 19:23 niv

By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land.

Genesis 19:23 esv

The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar.

Genesis 19:23 nlt

Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon.

Genesis 19 verses

Genesis 19 23 Meaning

Genesis 19:23 describes the precise moment of transition preceding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It states that "The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar." This verse emphasizes the perfect timing of God's divine judgment, which was withheld until the very instant Lot, the righteous individual, reached his designated place of safety in Zoar. The rising sun, typically a symbol of hope and a new day, here marks the beginning of the end for the cities of the plain, signifying a divinely ordained timeline where the preservation of the righteous precedes the pouring out of wrath.

Genesis 19 23 Context

Genesis chapter 19 describes the dramatic divine judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah due to their egregious wickedness, highlighted by their attempted sexual assault on the angelic visitors (who were God’s messengers to Lot). The chapter begins with two angels arriving in Sodom and Lot receiving them into his home, contrasting with the depravity of the city. After the horrifying display of Sodom’s sin, the angels reveal God’s plan to destroy the city. They urge Lot and his family to flee, emphasizing extreme urgency. Lot, however, hesitates and then pleads for Zoar to be spared as a refuge, arguing its small size. God graciously grants this request, holding back the judgment specifically until Lot reaches safety. Verse 23 acts as the critical bridge, signifying the fulfillment of God’s protective grace and the immediate prelude to His devastating justice, which unfolds immediately thereafter in verses 24-25, highlighting the meticulous timing of God's judgments.

Genesis 19 23 Word analysis

• The sun: (Hebrew: הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, haš-šemeš) – Literally "the sun." Its rising marks the dawn of a new day, which typically brings light and hope. Here, however, it ironically signals the dawn of destruction, underscoring the contrast between the natural world's routine and God's extraordinary intervention. It highlights God's precision in timing, allowing a brief window of morning light for Lot's escape before judgment commenced.
• had risen: (Hebrew: יָצָא, yāṣāʾ) – Means "went out," "came forth," or "rose." Applied to the sun, it denotes its appearance above the horizon. The perfect tense (Qal Perfect) indicates a completed action. This verb emphasizes the definitive moment of the sun's full emergence, confirming Lot’s completed arrival and God's permission for the next phase.
• upon the earth: (Hebrew: עַל־הָאָרֶץ, ‘al-hā’āreṣ) – A common phrase indicating the sun's light spreading across the ground or land. It sets the scene broadly before focusing on the specific location of Lot's entry.
• when Lot: (Hebrew: וְלוֹט, wəlōṭ) – "And Lot." The "and" (waw conjunctive) ties this event directly to the preceding clause, making it a temporal marker: as soon as this happened, then that happened. It highlights Lot's central role as the catalyst for God’s delayed action.
• entered: (Hebrew: בָּא, bā’) – Means "came," "entered," or "arrived." Like "had risen," it’s in the Qal Perfect tense, indicating a completed action. This verb specifically notes his physical entry into the city's bounds, signifying the precise fulfillment of the condition for judgment.
• Zoar: (Hebrew: צֹעַר, ṣōʿar) – The name of the city Lot requested as a refuge, originally named Bela (Gen 14:2). Its name, derived from a root meaning "small," emphasizes its insignificance, yet God spared it for Lot’s sake. Its identification confirms Lot's secure location.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The sun had risen upon the earth": This phrase marks a precise time — full daylight, not just dawn's faint glow. It heightens the sense of God's patient yet deliberate timing. The destruction did not happen in the dead of night, nor did it await the next day, but commenced exactly as the sun rose, revealing God's perfect coordination of events. This timing suggests that God's actions are observable and precise, not chaotic or hidden.
• "when Lot entered Zoar": This part establishes the direct causal link. The sun’s rising was not a random coincidence; it precisely coincided with Lot reaching his sanctuary. This "when...then" structure (or "as soon as...then") is critical, emphasizing God's covenantal faithfulness to Abraham (who interceded) and His mercy in protecting the righteous, even Lot, despite his weaknesses. It reveals God’s power to hold back judgment until His chosen ones are safe.

Genesis 19 23 Bonus section

• Lot's Slow Pace: Despite the angels' urgent plea to "Flee for your life!" (Gen 19:17), Lot lingered and had to be forcibly removed (Gen 19:16). He then haggled over his destination, requesting Zoar instead of the mountains (Gen 19:18-22). The timing of the sun's rising immediately upon his entry into Zoar highlights God's patience and faithfulness, delaying cosmic judgment even for the lingering, yet relatively righteous, Lot. It shows God’s grace extending even to Lot’s weak faith.
• Typological Significance: The account of Sodom and Gomorrah, culminating in this moment, serves as a powerful type and shadow for future divine judgments, particularly the Day of the Lord or the final judgment. Just as the sun rose and judgment immediately fell after Lot’s salvation, so too will future judgments occur with precise divine timing after the security of God’s people. This passage reinforces the idea that there is always a window of opportunity for salvation before inevitable judgment.
• Contrast of Light and Darkness: While the sun rises for Lot’s deliverance, the cities below are soon consumed by fire and brimstone, implying an almost instant "darkness" of destruction and judgment, making the initial "light" of the rising sun a sharp, immediate contrast to the doom it introduces for others.

Genesis 19 23 Commentary

Genesis 19:23 serves as a pivotal point, underscoring God's meticulous timing and unwavering commitment to His divine justice tempered with mercy. The phrase "The sun had risen upon the earth" paints a vivid scene of dawn, which typically brings renewed hope and activity. Yet, in a profound irony, this rising light precedes immediate, catastrophic judgment. This timing is explicitly tied to Lot's safe arrival in Zoar. God's declaration in verse 22, "I cannot do anything until you arrive there," directly precedes and explains the perfect synchronization of verse 23. This reveals God's omnipotence—He possesses the power to withhold cosmic events until His divine purpose for humanity, specifically the deliverance of the righteous, is fulfilled. It is a powerful theological statement: God’s justice is precise, deliberate, and initiated only once His patience has been exhausted and His righteous ones are secured, demonstrating His mercy for a remnant alongside His unwavering justice against unrepentant sin.