Genesis 19:20

20 a little city is here beside (there is a little city here), to which I may flee, and I shall be safe therein; whether it is not (such) a little city? and my soul shall live therein.

Genesis 19:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 19:20

Behold now, this city [is] near to flee unto
Pointing to Bela, afterwards called Zoar, from what follows: it is said to be two miles distant from Sodom ^F26. But the Jews ^F1 say it was four miles, and some say ^F2 five; for they reckon that a man may go five miles from the ascent of the morning (or break of day) till the sun shines out: and it [is] a little one:
a little city, and the houses and buildings in it few, the inhabitants few; and the sins of it few, as the Targum of Jonathan adds, in comparison of Sodom and Gomorrah; and therefore Lot hoped this favour would be granted him, that this city might be saved, and he be allowed to flee to it, and go no further; but others think this refers not to the city, which some say ^F3 was a large and spacious one, but to his request, that it was a small thing he asked, and hoped therefore it would not be denied, and in which he was very importunate: oh, let me escape thither, ([is] it not a little one?);
or "is it not a little thing" ^F4? a small request that I make: and my soul shall live:
I shall not only be able to get thither, and so my life will be preserved; but I shall be in good spirits, rejoice and be glad, that I am got safe and out of the reach of danger; my spirits, which are now faint, and therefore can never think of getting so far as to the mountain, but, if this favour is granted me, they will revive, and I shall cheerfully pursue my journey thither, and be comfortable.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Bunting's Travels, p. 63.
F1 T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 2, 3. & Gloss. in ib.
F2 T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 94. 1.
F3 Bunting's Travels, p. 63.
F4 "Nonne perexigua res est?" Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius.

Genesis 19:20 In-Context

18 And Lot said to them, My Lord (My lords), I beseech,

19 for thy servant hath found grace before thee, and thou hast magnified thy grace and mercy, which thou hast done to me, (so) that thou shouldest save my life, (I am most grateful); (but) I may not be saved in the hill(s), lest peradventure evil (over)take me, and I die (but I cannot be saved in the hills, for before that I can get there, the destruction shall surely overtake me, and I shall die);

20 a little city is here beside (there is a little city here), to which I may flee, and I shall be safe therein; whether it is not (such) a little city? and my soul shall live therein.

21 And he said to Lot, Lo! also in this I have received thy prayers, that I destroy not the city, for which thou hast spoken; (And he said to Lot, Lo! also in this I have received thy prayers, and I shall not destroy the city, of which thou hast spoken;)

22 haste thee, and be thou saved there, for I may not do anything till thou enter [in] thither. Therefore the name of that city was called Zoar. (haste thee, and be thou made safe there, for I shall not do anything until thou hast entered in there. And so that is why that city was called Zoar, or Small.)