What is the meaning of Genesis 19:23?

And by the time

• The wording signals urgency. Lot’s escape begins before dawn (Genesis 19:15), and the phrasing reminds us that God’s timetable for judgment and rescue is precise (Exodus 12:41).

• Scripture often pairs “time” with divine appointments—God never delays nor rushes (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Galatians 4:4).

• The note of exact timing underscores that the angels’ warning “Hurry!” (Genesis 19:22) was no exaggeration; lives literally hinged on minutes (Hebrews 2:3).

---

the sun had risen over the land

• Dawn marks a turning point: judgment on Sodom is imminent, yet Lot experiences new light and life (Psalm 30:5).

• Sunrise frequently pictures both mercy and wrath. Malachi 4:1-2 describes the same sunrise bringing blazing judgment for the wicked and healing rays for the righteous.

• At daybreak Jericho’s walls fell while Israel marched in victory (Joshua 6:15-20); here, daybreak will witness Sodom’s downfall while Lot stands delivered.

• Luke 1:78-79 celebrates Messiah as the “sunrise from on high” guiding us out of darkness—another echo that dawn can herald salvation.

---

Lot had reached Zoar

• Zoar, once slated for destruction, is spared because Lot pleaded for it (Genesis 19:20-22). God honors the request, showing His readiness to extend mercy when asked (Psalm 34:15; James 4:2b).

• The name “Zoar” means “small,” highlighting that even a modest refuge is enough when God provides it (Proverbs 18:10).

• By arriving inside the city limits, Lot steps under divine protection; the angels could now unleash judgment without harming him (2 Peter 2:7-9).

• Zoar sits in the Jordan Valley (Deuteronomy 34:3). Though geographically close to Sodom, its fate contrasts sharply, illustrating that salvation and destruction can stand side by side depending on one’s response to God (Luke 17:28-32).

---

summary

Genesis 19:23 captures a moment packed with meaning: every second counts, dawn divides judgment from deliverance, and a “small” place becomes a great refuge because God ordained it. The verse assures us that when we act on God’s warnings and trust His provision, we arrive safely even as the world around us faces His righteous judgment.