Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
22. I cannot do any thing ] Mercy limits the exercise of Divine Justice. “The righteous” is not to be consumed “with the wicked” (Gen 18:23).
Zoar ] See note on Gen 14:2. Zoar is identified by tradition with a spot on the S.E. of the Dead Sea, where a peninsula projects from the coast. Cf. Gen 13:10; Deu 34:3; Isa 15:5; Jer 48:34. The name in the LXX , Lat. Segor, gave the Dead Sea the name of the Sea of Zugar in the Middle Ages.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 22. I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither.] So these heavenly messengers had the strictest commission to take care of Lot and his family; and even the purposes of Divine justice could not be accomplished on the rebellious, till this righteous man and his family had escaped from the place. A proof of Abraham’s assertion, The Judge of all the earth will do right.
The name of the city was called Zoar.] Tsoar, LITTLE, its former name being Bela.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither, because of Gods decree and promise to save thee from the general destruction.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
22. Haste . . . for I cannot do anything till thou be come thitherThe ruin of Sodom was suspendedtill he was secure. What care God does take of His people (Re7:3)! What a proof of the love which God bore to a good thoughweak man!
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Haste thee, escape thither,…. Seeing he had granted him his request, he is urgent upon him to be gone, and not to delay upon any account, or make other excuses:
for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither; that is, consistent with the decree of God, that Lot and his family should be delivered and preserved, and with his promise made to him, that he would not overthrow that city; and therefore the catastrophe which would befall all the cities at once could not begin until he was safely arrived there:
therefore the name of the city was called Zoar; in later times, and probably first by Lot, from his use of the word “little”, which was his request, which Zoar signifies; it before was called Bela, see Ge 14:2.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
22. I cannot do any thing. Since the angel had not only been sent as an avenger to destroy Sodom, but also had received a command for the preservation of Lot; he therefore declares, that he will not do the former act, unless this latter be joined with it; because it is not at the option of the servant to divide those things which God has joined together. I am not, however, dissatisfied with the explanation of some, who suppose the angel to speak in the person of God. For although in appearance the language is harsh, yet there is no absurdity in saying, that God is unable to destroy the reprobate without saving his elect. Nor must we, therefore, deem his power to be limited, when he lays himself under any such necessity; (426) or that anything of his liberty and authority is diminished, when he willingly and freely binds himself. And let us especially remember, that his power is connected by a sacred bond with his grace, and with faith in his promises. Hence it may be truly and properly said, that he can do nothing but what he wills and promises. This is a true and profitable doctrine. There will, however, be less ground of scruple if we refer the passage to the angels; who had a positive commandment, from which it was not lawful for them to abate the smallest portion.
(426) “ Dum sibi ipse est necessitas.” Literally, “When he is his own necessity.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(22) Zoar.This town is identified by Dr. Tristram (Land of Moab, p. 330) with Ziara, at the northern end of the Dead Sea. It is described as lying upon the borders of the Moabite territory, in Isa. 15:5; Jer. 48:34. Eusebius says that a Roman garrison was posted there, but he probably accepted the current tradition which placed the five cities at the southern extremity of the lake.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither Mark the limitations of judgment by the purposes of grace! The angel of destruction is held back from his deadly work until Lot is rescued .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 19:22. Thereforecalled Zoar It was before called Bela. See ch. Gen 14:2. and being saved at Lot’s intercession, because it was a little one, it was thence called Zoar, or little. It stood on the utmost skirt of the plain of Jordan, and was one of the five cities in that region where Sodom stood.
REFLECTIONS.We have here Lot’s flight and rescue from the burnings of Sodom. Though ten righteous were not found to save the whole, one righteous man is found, and he shall save himself and family. Observe,
1. Lot’s lingering in Sodom. How loth to part from his house, his goods, his sons-in-law; but go he must, or perish in the flames! Learn, (1.) Worldly things are a great snare to the heart. (2.) These cause many an awakened soul to linger, through fear of loss or hope of gain, instead of coming out of the world, and being separate.
2. The Angels haste to get him away. They laid hold on him and his wife and daughters, and brought them out, and then urge their flight to the mountain, without so much as stopping by the way, or casting a look on the devoted cities. Note; (1.) They who would fly from sin to Christ Jesus must never think of seeking rest anywhere but in him. (2.) To look back with regret on the pleasures of sin, is the way to be again entangled thereby. (3.) Until death, we must hasten our flight faster and faster from the world which lieth in wickedness.
3. Lot’s request. What a mixture of unbelief! Why could not he who called him out, help him on his way? Alas! how often does unbelief assault us! But here is also a mixture of charity. If Bela was his refuge, his safety would be also that of the inhabitants. God mingles his mercy in the midst of judgment.
4. The request is granted. Though there was much infirmity in Lot’s pretending to choose the place of his safety, the more mercy is manifested in God’s yielding to his request. Effectual fervent prayer availeth much. Note; A righteous man saved the city; how valuable such men! yet usually they are thought the troublers.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 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.
Ver. 22. For I cannot do anything. ] Not that the execution of the divine decree depended simply upon Lot’s removal to Zoar; but upon another decree, for Lot’s removal ere Sodom were destroyed.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Zoar = little, or smallness. Compare Gen 14:2, Gen 14:8.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
for: Gen 32:25-28, Exo 32:10, Deu 9:14, Psa 91:1-10, Isa 65:8, Mar 6:5, 2Ti 2:13, Tit 1:2
called: Gen 13:10, Gen 14:2, Isa 15:5, Jer 48:34
Zoar: i.e. little, Gen 19:20
Reciprocal: Gen 14:8 – same Gen 19:12 – son Gen 19:14 – Up Gen 19:15 – hastened Gen 19:17 – Escape Deu 34:3 – Zoar Mar 13:15 – General Act 27:24 – lo Heb 6:18 – who 2Pe 2:7 – delivered
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 19:22. I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither The very presence of good men in a place helps to keep off judgments. See what care God takes for the preservation of his people!
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
19:22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I {l} cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called {m} Zoar.
(l) Because God’s commandment was to destroy the city and to save Lot.
(m) Which before was called Belah, in Gen 14:2.