Genesis 19:6 kjv

And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,

Genesis 19:6 nkjv

So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him,

Genesis 19:6 niv

Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him

Genesis 19:6 esv

Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him,

Genesis 19:6 nlt

So Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him.

Genesis 19 verses

Genesis 19 6 Meaning

Genesis 19:6 describes Lot's direct action of stepping out of his house to confront the men of Sodom. This verse captures a critical moment of confrontation, where Lot, as host, physically places himself between his divine guests and the menacing mob. By going out and then shutting the door behind him, he secures his visitors inside, simultaneously taking full responsibility for the perilous negotiation and isolating the holy presence within his home from the surrounding ungodliness. This act highlights Lot's commitment to the ancient Near Eastern tradition of hospitality, even in the face of grave danger and immense moral decay.

Genesis 19 6 Context

Genesis chapter 19 describes the dramatic events leading to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Following God's announcement to Abraham concerning the impending judgment on these cities for their grievous sin, two angels, appearing as men, arrive in Sodom. Lot, Abraham's nephew, extends hospitality to them, urging them to spend the night in his home. This act of hospitality, a cornerstone of ancient Near Eastern culture and a commanded virtue in God's covenant, sets the stage for the conflict. The men of Sodom, described as wicked, surround Lot's house, demanding that he surrender his guests to them for depraved sexual purposes. Genesis 19:6 directly precedes Lot's desperate and morally flawed attempt to placate the mob by offering his own virgin daughters, highlighting the depth of his protective instincts towards his guests, however misguided his compromise. This scene stands in stark contrast to the divine order and justice, showcasing the absolute moral decay and violent intentions of Sodom.

Genesis 19 6 Word analysis

• And Lot went out (וַיֵּצֵא לוֹט - watteyezeʼ Loṭ):

  • watteyezeʼ: "And he went out." This is a continuous narrative tense, depicting immediate action. It signifies Lot's personal initiative and willingness to face the threat directly.
  • This active step outside indicates Lot placing himself as a physical barrier and negotiator between the wicked crowd and his vulnerable guests.
  • It also symbolizes his entry into the sphere of Sodom's depravity to engage with it directly, putting himself at risk.

• to them (אֲלֵהֶם - ’alehem):

  • Indicates a specific, directed movement towards the demanding men of Sodom, not just generically stepping outside. Lot purposefully approached the threat.

• through the doorway (הַפֶּתַח - hapetach):

  • hapetach: "the doorway" or "the entrance." The definite article implies a singular, specific entrance to Lot's home, the main access point.
  • The doorway functions as a literal threshold between the safety and relative holiness inside (due to the presence of angels) and the perversion and danger outside.

• and shut the door (וַיִּסְגֹּר הַדֶּלֶת - wayyiṣgōr haddelet):

  • wayyiṣgōr: "and he shut" or "and he closed." This action is immediately consequent to stepping out. It's a swift, decisive move.
  • haddelet: "the door." Again, the definite article, referring to the specific physical door.
  • This action physically seals his guests inside, emphasizing Lot's commitment to their protection and the securing of his home from invasion. It creates a physical barrier, sealing off the holiness from the chaos and depravity.

• behind him (אַחֲרָיו - ’aḥarāv):

  • Emphasizes that Lot sealed himself outside while his guests remained inside. It highlights his intentional self-placement as the sole negotiator/buffer.
  • This physical separation signifies a moral boundary that Lot attempts to establish, however precariously, between himself (acting as host) and the outside wickedness.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And Lot went out to them through the doorway and shut the door behind him": This entire phrase depicts Lot's proactive and immediate response to the mob's demand. It shows his firm commitment to his role as host, demonstrating courage mixed with perhaps a sense of desperation. The actions are decisive, setting up the direct confrontation that follows. This scene underscores the critical function of hospitality in a morally corrupted society, a last bastion of decency facing an overwhelming surge of evil.

Genesis 19 6 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "doorway" (hapetach) often denotes not just the physical opening but the "mouth" or "face" of the house, implying a very direct, exposed position. Lot placed himself fully "in the face" of the threatening crowd. This action, combined with shutting the door, highlights a concept of sanctifying one's space and protecting sacred or vulnerable elements within it from external corruption. It also serves as a poignant, if imperfect, human mirror to God's own protective action in Gen 7:16, where the LORD shut the door of the ark behind Noah.

Genesis 19 6 Commentary

Genesis 19:6 encapsulates Lot's desperate loyalty to the ancient principle of hospitality, despite his personal weaknesses and the profoundly wicked environment he inhabited. By stepping out and securing the door, Lot symbolically places himself on the threshold of chaos, a lone defender of righteousness in a morally bankrupt city. This act is not one of timid retreat but of immediate engagement with a violent, perverted mob. The sealing of the door ensures the guests' temporary safety and marks Lot's resolve to handle the confrontation himself, no matter the personal cost or the shocking propositions he might subsequently offer. This moment illustrates the extreme contrast between the host's attempt to uphold a sacred duty and the profound godlessness of Sodom, signaling its ripeness for divine judgment.