Genesis 19:20

20 Look over there - that town is close enough to get to. It's a small town, hardly anything to it. Let me escape there and save my life - it's a mere wide place in the road."

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 But Lot protested, "No, masters, you can't mean it!

19 I know that you've taken a liking to me and have done me an immense favor in saving my life, but I can't run for the mountains - who knows what terrible thing might happen to me in the mountains and leave me for dead.

20 Look over there - that town is close enough to get to. It's a small town, hardly anything to it. Let me escape there and save my life - it's a mere wide place in the road."

21 He said to him, "All right. If you insist. I'll let you have your way. And I won't stamp out the town you've spotted.

22 But hurry up. Run for it! I can't do anything until you get there." That's why the town was called Zoar, that is, Smalltown.