Genesis 19:22

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

מַהֵר֙ Haste H4116
מַהֵר֙ Haste
Strong's: H4116
Word #: 1 of 17
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
הִמָּלֵ֣ט thee escape H4422
הִמָּלֵ֣ט thee escape
Strong's: H4422
Word #: 2 of 17
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
שָׁ֔מָּה H8033
שָׁ֔מָּה
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 3 of 17
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 4 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אוּכַל֙ thither for I cannot H3201
אוּכַל֙ thither for I cannot
Strong's: H3201
Word #: 6 of 17
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת do H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 7 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
דָּבָ֔ר any thing H1697
דָּבָ֔ר any thing
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 8 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 9 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֹּֽאֲךָ֖ till thou be come H935
בֹּֽאֲךָ֖ till thou be come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 10 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁ֑מָּה H8033
שָׁ֑מָּה
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 11 of 17
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 12 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֛ן H3651
כֵּ֛ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 13 of 17
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
קָרָ֥א was called H7121
קָרָ֥א was called
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 14 of 17
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שֵׁם thither Therefore the name H8034
שֵׁם thither Therefore the name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 15 of 17
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הָעִ֖יר of the city H5892
הָעִ֖יר of the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 16 of 17
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
צֽוֹעַר׃ Zoar H6820
צֽוֹעַר׃ Zoar
Strong's: H6820
Word #: 17 of 17
tsoar, a place east of the jordan

Analysis & Commentary

Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name ... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish:

  1. salvation by grace through faith rather than works
  2. covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people
  3. the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible
  4. the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort
  5. the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith.

The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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