Genesis 19:1-11

Genesis 19:1-11

[1] And there came  two  angels  to Sodom  at even;  and Lot  sat  in the gate  of Sodom:  and Lot  seeing  them rose up  to meet  them; and he bowed  himself with his face  toward the ground;  [2] And he said,  Behold now, my lords,  turn in,  I pray you, into your servant's  house,  and tarry all night,  and wash  your feet,  and ye shall rise up early,  and go  on your ways.  And they said,  in the street  all night.  [3] And he pressed  upon them greatly;  and they turned in  unto him, and entered  into his house;  and he made  them a feast,  and did bake  unleavened bread,  and they did eat.  [4] But before they lay down,  the men  of the city,  even the men  of Sodom,  the house  round,  both old  and young,  all the people  from every quarter:  [5] And they called  unto Lot,  and said  which came in  to thee this night?  bring them out  unto us, that we may know  them. [6] And Lot  went out  at the door  unto them, and shut  the door  after him,  [7] And said,  I pray you, brethren,  do not so wickedly.  [8] Behold now, I have two  daughters  which have not known  man;  let me, I pray you, bring them out  unto you, and do  ye to them as is good  in your eyes:  only unto these  do  nothing;  for therefore came  they under the shadow  of my roof.  [9] And they said,  Stand  back.  And they said  again, This one  fellow came in  to sojourn,  and he will needs  now will we deal worse  with thee, than with them. And they pressed  sore  even Lot,  and came near  to break  the door.  [10] put forth  their hand,  and pulled  Lot  into the house  to them, and shut  to the door.  [11] And they smote  that were at the door  of the house  with blindness,  both small  and great:  so that they wearied  themselves to find  the door. 

What does Genesis 19:1-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The men of Sodom wanted to have homosexual relations with Lot"s visitors ( Genesis 19:5). The Mosaic Law later regarded all homosexual behavior as a capital offense ( Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; cf. Romans 1:26-27). [1] Their lack of hospitality contrasts with Abraham"s hospitality ( Genesis 18:1-8) and reflects their respective moral states.
Hospitality was more sacred than sexual morality to Lot ( Genesis 19:8; cf. Judges 19:23-25). Compromise distorts values. Lot considered his duty to his guests greater than his duty to his children.
"When a man took in a stranger, he was bound to protect him, even at the expense of the host"s life." [2]