Genesis 19:1
New International Version
The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.

New Living Translation
That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground.

English Standard Version
The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth

Berean Standard Bible
Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown,

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.

New American Standard Bible
Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he stood up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.

NASB 1995
Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.

NASB 1977
Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them and rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.

Amplified Bible
It was evening when the two angels came to Sodom. Lot was sitting at Sodom’s [city] gate. Seeing them, Lot got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.

Christian Standard Bible
The two angels entered Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in Sodom’s gateway. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them. He bowed with his face to the ground

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The two angels entered Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting at Sodom’s gate. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them. He bowed with his face to the ground

American Standard Version
And the two angels came to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face to the earth;

Contemporary English Version
That evening, while Lot was sitting near the city gate, the two angels arrived in Sodom. When Lot saw them, he got up, bowed down low,

English Revised Version
And the two angels came to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face to the earth;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gateway. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed with his face touching the ground.

Good News Translation
When the two angels came to Sodom that evening, Lot was sitting at the city gate. As soon as he saw them, he got up and went to meet them. He bowed down before them

International Standard Version
The two angels entered Sodom at sunset while Lot was sitting in the gate area of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up, greeted them, bowed low with his face to the ground,

Majority Standard Bible
Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown,

NET Bible
The two angels came to Sodom in the evening while Lot was sitting in the city's gateway. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face toward the ground.

New Heart English Bible
The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. He bowed himself with his face to the earth,

Webster's Bible Translation
And there came two angels to Sodom at evening; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom; and Lot seeing them, rose to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face towards the ground;

World English Bible
The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. He bowed himself with his face to the earth,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And two of the messengers come toward Sodom at evening, and Lot is sitting at the gate of Sodom, and Lot sees, and rises to meet them, and bows himself—face to the earth,

Young's Literal Translation
And two of the messengers come towards Sodom at even, and Lot is sitting at the gate of Sodom, and Lot seeth, and riseth to meet them, and boweth himself -- face to the earth,

Smith's Literal Translation
And two messengers shall come to Sodom in the evening; and Lot will sit in the gate of Sodom; and Lot will see, and will rise up to meet them, and will bow himself with the face to the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the two angels came to Sodom ii in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of the city. And seeing them, he rose up and went to meet them: and worshipped prostrate to the ground,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the two Angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting at the gate of the city. And when he had seen them, he rose up and went to meet them. And he reverenced prone on the ground.

New American Bible
The two angels reached Sodom in the evening, as Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he got up to greet them; and bowing down with his face to the ground,

New Revised Standard Version
The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and bowed down with his face to the ground.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND there came two angels to Sodom in the evening; and Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom; and Lot saw them and rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And two Messengers came to Sadom in the evening, and Lot sat at the gate of Sadom, and Lot saw them and stood to meet them, and he bowed on his face on the ground.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the two angels came to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom; and Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them; and he fell down on his face to the earth;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the two angels came to Sodom at evening. And Lot sat by the gate of Sodom, and Lot having seen them, rose up to meet them, and he worshipped with his face to the ground, and said,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Lot Welcomes the Angels
1Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown, 2and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”…

Cross References
Genesis 18:2
And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

Genesis 18:22
And the two men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.

Genesis 18:16
When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them off.

Genesis 13:12-13
Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot settled in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom. / But the men of Sodom were wicked, sinning greatly against the LORD.

Genesis 18:1
Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent.

Genesis 13:10
And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

Genesis 18:20-21
Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous, / I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will find out.”

Genesis 14:12
They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since Lot was living in Sodom.

Genesis 18:33
When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, He departed, and Abraham returned home.

Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

2 Peter 2:6-8
if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly; / and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless / (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

Luke 17:28-29
It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. / But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

Jude 1:7
In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire.

Matthew 10:14-15
And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. / Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Ezekiel 16:49-50
Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and complacent; they did not help the poor and needy. / Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them, as you have seen.


Treasury of Scripture

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;

And there came two angels.

Genesis 19:18
And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:

Genesis 19:22
Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

Genesis 18:1-3,22
And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; …

rose.

Genesis 18:1-5
And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; …

Job 31:32
The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.

Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

bowed.

Genesis 18:2
And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

Jump to Previous
Angels Arrived Bowed City Earth Evening Face Falling Fell Gate Gateway Ground Lot Meet Messengers Nightfall Rose Sat Seated Sitting Sodom Towards Way
Jump to Next
Angels Arrived Bowed City Earth Evening Face Falling Fell Gate Gateway Ground Lot Meet Messengers Nightfall Rose Sat Seated Sitting Sodom Towards Way
Genesis 19
1. Lot entertains two angels.
4. The vicious Sodomites are smitten with blindness.
12. Lot is warned, and in vain warns his sons-in-law.
15. He is directed to flee to the mountains, but obtains leave to go into Zoar.
24. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed.
26. Lot's wife looks back and becomes a pillar of salt.
29. Lot dwells in a cave.
31. The incestuous origin of Moab and Ammon.














Now the two angels
The phrase "two angels" refers to the divine messengers sent by God. In Hebrew, the word for angels is "מַלְאָכִים" (mal'akhim), which means "messengers." These beings are often depicted as carrying out God's will, and their presence signifies a moment of divine intervention. The number "two" is significant, as it often represents confirmation and witness in biblical terms, suggesting the seriousness of their mission to Sodom.

arrived at Sodom
The city of Sodom is historically and archaeologically significant, often associated with sin and divine judgment. The Hebrew root for Sodom, "סְדוֹם" (S'dom), is linked to burning or scorched, reflecting its eventual fate. The arrival of the angels marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, as Sodom's reputation for wickedness is about to be confronted by divine justice.

in the evening
The timing of "evening" is symbolic in biblical literature, often representing a time of transition or impending change. In Hebrew culture, the evening marks the beginning of a new day, suggesting that the events about to unfold will lead to a new reality for Sodom and Lot. It also implies a sense of urgency and impending darkness, both literal and moral.

and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city
The "gateway" of a city in ancient times was not just a physical entrance but a place of social and legal activity. Lot's presence there indicates his role as a prominent figure or leader within Sodom. The Hebrew word "שַׁעַר" (sha'ar) for gateway suggests a place of decision-making and judgment, highlighting Lot's compromised position in a city known for its wickedness.

When Lot saw them
Lot's immediate recognition of the angels suggests his awareness of their divine nature or at least their importance. The act of seeing, "רָאָה" (ra'ah) in Hebrew, often implies understanding or perceiving beyond the physical, indicating Lot's spiritual sensitivity despite his surroundings.

he got up to meet them
Lot's action of getting up to meet the angels demonstrates hospitality and respect, a crucial aspect of ancient Near Eastern culture. This gesture indicates his willingness to serve and protect these visitors, contrasting with the city's general attitude.

and bowed facedown
Bowing facedown is an act of deep reverence and submission, "שָׁחָה" (shachah) in Hebrew. This physical act reflects Lot's recognition of the angels' authority and possibly his acknowledgment of their divine mission. It sets the stage for the unfolding drama, highlighting Lot's internal conflict between his faith and his environment.

XIX.

(1) And there came two angels.--Heb., And the two angels came. It is a continuation of the preceding narrative, and takes up the history from Genesis 18:22.

Lot sat in the gate of Sodom.--He had therefore become a citizen of Sodom, probably after the deliverance from the Elamite invasion, when, as a relative of Abraham, he would be treated with great honour. This personal respect had made him close his eyes to the sinfulness of the people, and he had consented to live inside the town, and even to let its citizens marry his daughters. Meanwhile all intercourse between him and Abraham apparently had ceased, and he had lost all share in the covenant of circumcision.

Verse 1. - And there came two angels - literally, the two angels, i.e. the two men of the preceding chapter who accompanied Jehovah to Mature; οἱ δύο ἄγγελλοι (LXX.) - to Sodom at even (having left the tent of Abraham shortly after noon); and Lot - last heard of in the narrative as captured by the Asiatic kings, and delivered by his uncle (Genesis 14:12, 16) - sat in the gate of Sodom. שַׁעַר, from the idea of opening, signified the gateway or entrance of a camp (Exodus 32:26, 27), of a palace (Esther 2:19), of a temple (Ezekiel 8:5), of a land (Jeremiah 15:7), or of a city (Joshua 2:7). Corresponding to the ancient forum of the Romans, or agora of the Greeks, the city gate among the Hebrews was the customary place of resort for the settlement of disputes, the transaction of business, or the enjoyment of ordinary social intercourse (cf. Genesis 34:20; Deuteronomy 21:19; Deuteronomy 22:15; Ruth 4:1; Proverbs 31:23). It was probably an arch with deep recesses, in which were placed chairs for the judges or city magistrates, and seats or benches for the citizens who had business to transact. So Homer describes the Trojan elders as sitting at the Scaean gate (3. 148). In what capacity Lot was sitting in the gate is not narrated. That he was on the outlook for travelers on whom to practice the hospitality he had learned from his uncle (Peele, Calvin, Willet, Lange) is perhaps to form too high an ideal of his piety (Kalisch); while the explanation that he had been pro-meted to the dignity of one of the city judges, though not perhaps justified as an inference from Ver. 9, is not at all unlikely, considering his relationship to Abraham. And Lot seeing them (and recognizing them to be strangers by their dress and looks) rose up to meet them; - having not yet abandoned the practice of hospitality, or forgotten, through mingling with the Sodomites, the respectful courtesy which was due to strangers, since the writer adds - and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground (cf. Genesis 18:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The two
שְׁנֵ֨י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

angels
הַמַּלְאָכִ֤ים (ham·mal·’ā·ḵîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

entered
וַ֠יָּבֹאוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

Sodom
סְדֹ֙מָה֙ (sə·ḏō·māh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5467: Sodom -- a Canaanite city near the Dead Sea

in the evening,
בָּעֶ֔רֶב (bā·‘e·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

and Lot
וְל֖וֹט (wə·lō·wṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3876: Lot -- Abraham's nephew

was sitting
יֹשֵׁ֣ב (yō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in the gateway
בְּשַֽׁעַר־ (bə·ša·‘ar-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of [the city].
סְדֹ֑ם (sə·ḏōm)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5467: Sodom -- a Canaanite city near the Dead Sea

When Lot
לוֹט֙ (lō·wṭ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3876: Lot -- Abraham's nephew

saw them,
וַיַּרְא־ (way·yar-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

he got up
וַיָּ֣קָם (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

to meet them,
לִקְרָאתָ֔ם (liq·rā·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

bowed
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ (way·yiš·ta·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

with his face
אַפַּ֖יִם (’ap·pa·yim)
Noun - md
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

to the ground,
אָֽרְצָה׃ (’ā·rə·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


Links
Genesis 19:1 NIV
Genesis 19:1 NLT
Genesis 19:1 ESV
Genesis 19:1 NASB
Genesis 19:1 KJV

Genesis 19:1 BibleApps.com
Genesis 19:1 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 19:1 Chinese Bible
Genesis 19:1 French Bible
Genesis 19:1 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 19:1 The two angels came to Sodom at (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 18:33
Top of Page
Top of Page