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.