Genesis 19:22

22 Escape there quickly, for I cannot do [this] thing until you get there." Therefore, there name of the city was called Zoar.

Genesis 19:22 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 19:22

Haste thee, escape thither
Seeing he had granted him his request, he is urgent upon him to be gone, and not to delay upon any account, or make other excuses:

for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither;
that is, consistent with the decree of God, that Lot and his family should be delivered and preserved, and with his promise made to him, that he would not overthrow that city; and therefore the catastrophe which would befall all the cities at once could not begin until he was safely arrived there:

therefore the name of the city was called Zoar;
in later times, and probably first by Lot, from his use of the word "little", which was his request, which Zoar signifies; it before was called Bela, see ( Genesis 14:2 ) .

Genesis 19:22 In-Context

20 Behold, this city [is] near [enough] to flee there, and it [is a] little [one]. Please, let me flee there. Is it not a little [one]? Then my life shall be saved."
21 And he said to him, "Behold, {I will grant this favor as well}; that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken.
22 Escape there quickly, for I cannot do [this] thing until you get there." Therefore, there name of the city was called Zoar.
23 [After] the sun {had risen} upon the earth and Lot had entered Zoar,
24 Yahweh rained down from heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Yahweh.
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