Genesis 19:29 kjv

And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

Genesis 19:29 nkjv

And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.

Genesis 19:29 niv

So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.

Genesis 19:29 esv

So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.

Genesis 19:29 nlt

But God had listened to Abraham's request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.

Genesis 19 verses

Genesis 19 29 Meaning

Genesis 19:29 highlights God's sovereign remembrance of Abraham, an act of covenant faithfulness, leading to the preservation of Lot and his family amidst the devastating judgment upon Sodom and the cities of the plain. It underscores that Lot's rescue was not primarily due to his own merit, but God's merciful grace, initiated through Abraham's intercession and God's prior covenant with him. The verse thus demonstrates divine justice in destruction, combined with divine mercy in salvation for the righteous, prompted by faithful prayer.

Genesis 19 29 Context

Genesis 19:29 concludes the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Preceding this verse, Lot and his family (except his wife) were miraculously rescued from the impending fiery destruction by angels (Gen 19:15-26). The broader context of Chapter 18 involves Abraham's fervent intercession for Sodom, where he appeals to God's justice, arguing that the righteous should not be destroyed with the wicked. This verse confirms that Abraham's prayer was a significant factor in God's decision to spare Lot. Historically, this event serves as a foundational example of divine judgment against extreme depravity and simultaneous divine preservation of the righteous, often referenced throughout the Old and New Testaments as a benchmark for God's righteous wrath and mercy.

Genesis 19 29 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - vayhi): A common Hebrew narrative transition, signaling the commencement of an event or sequence. It highlights the definite occurrence of the following action.

• when God destroyed (בְּשַׁחֵת אֱלֹהִים - b’shakhet Elohim): "Destroyed" (shakhath) implies corruption, ruin, spoiling, and violent annihilation. "God" (Elohim) is the generic yet powerful name for the Divine, emphasizing His omnipotence and role as judge over creation. This phrasing underscores divine agency in the catastrophe.

• the cities of the plain (עָרֵי הַכִּכָּר - 'arei hakkikkar): Refers to the five cities in the 'circle' or 'disk' of the Jordan valley, known for their fertility but also for their profound wickedness. This specifies the target of divine judgment.

• that God remembered (זָכַר אֱלֹהִים - zakhar Elohim): "Remembered" (zakhar) in a biblical context is more than recalling facts; it signifies God initiating active, purposeful intervention based on a previous covenant, promise, or relationship. It's a performative memory.

• Abraham (אַבְרָהָם - Avraham): The patriarch with whom God established a covenant. His relationship with God, and particularly his recent intercession for Sodom (Gen 18), were the catalyst for Lot's deliverance.

• and sent Lot out (וַיְשַׁלַּח אֶת־לוֹט - vay'shallakh et-Lot): "Sent out" (shalach) means to dismiss, send forth, or allow to depart. It implies a direct, sovereign action by God to release Lot from the impending doom. Lot’s exit was facilitated directly by divine intervention.

• of the midst of the overthrow (מִתּוֹךְ הַהַפְכָּה - mittoch hahaphekhah): "Midst" emphasizes that Lot was within the zone of destruction. "Overthrow" (haphekhah, from haphakh) means to turn over, overturn, subvert, implying a radical and complete reversal or destruction from above, typical of the Sodom judgment.

• when He overthrew (בַּהֲפֹךְ - baha'phoch): Repetition of the root haphakh emphasizes the thoroughness and divine nature of the catastrophic turning over or overturning of the cities.

• the cities in which Lot had dwelt (הֶעָרִים אֲשֶׁר יָשַׁב בָּהֵן לוֹט - ha'arim asher yashav bahen Lot): This detail reinforces Lot’s immediate proximity and vulnerability to the judgment, highlighting God’s specific and personal rescue. It reminds the reader that Lot, despite his "righteousness" (2 Pet 2:7-8), had chosen to live amongst the wicked, making his salvation particularly noteworthy.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "When God destroyed the cities of the plain...God remembered Abraham": This juxtaposition demonstrates God's dual attributes of justice in judgment and mercy born of covenant faithfulness and intercession. It's a stark contrast between widespread destruction and targeted salvation.
  • "Sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt": This highlights the immediate, personal, and miraculous nature of Lot's rescue. It underscores that Lot was inextricably linked to the place of judgment, yet was plucked out by divine will, reinforcing God’s selective preservation.

Genesis 19 29 Bonus section

• Theological Implication of Zakhar (Remembered): In biblical theology, God's "remembrance" signifies the actualization of His intention and promise. It is an active intervention, a movement from a state of intention to one of direct engagement. In this case, remembering Abraham immediately translates into saving Lot, demonstrating the immediate and profound efficacy of God's covenant loyalty and response to prayer.
• Divine Sovereignty and Human Intercession: This verse demonstrates a delicate balance where God is fully sovereign in both judgment and salvation, yet He permits and even encourages human intercession (Abraham's prayer), allowing it to factor into the execution of His divine plan. It illustrates the mystery of God involving humans in His redemptive purposes.
• Sodom as a Type and Warning: The comprehensive destruction and the specific mention of Lot's deliverance provide a powerful archetype throughout the Bible, warning against the consequences of depravity while assuring that God can and will rescue the righteous even from extreme peril. This foreshadows broader eschatological themes of judgment and salvation.

Genesis 19 29 Commentary

Genesis 19:29 serves as a profound summary of divine action after the climactic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It underscores that God's justice is precise, delivering sweeping judgment upon the wicked. Yet, woven into this display of wrath is God's enduring covenant faithfulness and mercy. The "remembering" of Abraham is central, indicating that Abraham's relationship with God and his specific intercessory prayers (Gen 18:23-33) were the decisive factors for Lot's deliverance. Lot's rescue was thus not a matter of his own righteousness, though he is called "righteous" in 2 Peter 2:7-8, but rather a direct result of God's grace extended through the mediation of His faithful servant Abraham. This passage beautifully illustrates God's commitment to His covenant people, and how intercessory prayer can significantly impact His actions, even in the midst of severe judgment, preserving a remnant out of destruction.