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Genesis Chapter 19

The Destruction of Sodom; Lot's daughters give birth Lot entertains two angels.

19 1 Gen 18:2; Gen 18:22 A1And 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 Heb 13:2; Luk 24:28 2And 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, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

3 Gen 18:8 3And 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. The vicious Sodomites are smitten with blindness.

4¶But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

5 Jud 1:7; Rom 1:24; Jdg 19:22; Gen 4:1 5And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

6 Jdg 19:24 6And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,

7And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

8 Gen 18:5 8Behold 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 men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

9 2 Pet 2:7-8; Act 7:26,28; Exo 2:14 9And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

10But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.

11 2 Kin 6:18; Act 13:11 11And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. Lot is warned, and in vain warns his sons-in-law.

12 2 Pet 2:9; Gen 7:1; Jos 6:22 12¶And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

13 1 Chr 21:15 13For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.

14 Luk 24:11; Luk 17:28-30; Exo 9:21; Rev 18:4; Num 16:45; Num 16:21 14And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. He is directed to flee to the mountains, but obtains leave to go into Zoar.

15¶And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

16 Eph 2:4-5; Pro 2:8; Psa 145:20; Psa 97:10; Psa 34:22; Psa 33:18 16And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

17 Heb 2:3; Gen 19:26 17And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

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

19 1 Tim 1:14-16 19Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

20Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither,( is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.

21 Psa 145:19; 1 Sam 25:35; Job 42:9 21And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.

22 Gen 13:10; Gen 14:2 22Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

23The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed.

24 Jud 1:7; 2 Pet 2:6; Luk 17:29 24¶Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;

25 Psa 107:34; Gen 14:3 25And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. Lot's wife looks back and becomes a pillar of salt.

26 Luk 17:31 26¶But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

27 Gen 18:22 27¶And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord:

28 Rev 18:9 28And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. Lot dwells in a cave.

29 Gen 18:23; Gen 8:1 29And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

30 Gen 19:17,19 30¶And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters. The incestuous origin of Moab and Ammon.

31 Gen 16:2,4; Gen 38:8; Deu 25:5 31And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:

32 Mar 12:19; 1 Cor 15:33; Luk 21:34 32Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

33And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

34And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

35And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

36Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.

37 Deu 2:9 37And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.

38 Deu 2:19 38And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.

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Introduction — Book introductions

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Introductions and Outlines courtesy Grace to You. Used by permission)

Introduction to Genesis
by John MacArthur

Title

The English title, Genesis, comes from the Greek translation (Septuagint, LXX)¹ meaning “origins”; whereas, the Hebrew title is derived from the Bible’s very first word, translated “in the beginning.” Genesis serves to introduce the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the OT) and the entire Bible. The influence of Genesis in Scripture is demonstrated by its being quoted over 35 times in the NT and hundreds of allusions appearing in both Testaments. The story line of salvation which begins in Gen 3 is not completed until Rev 21, 22 where the eternal kingdom of redeemed believers is gloriously pictured.

Author and Date

While 1) the author does not identify himself in Genesis and 2) Genesis ends almost 3 centuries before Moses was born, both the OT (Ex 17:14; Num 33:2; Josh 8:31; 1 Kin. 2:3; 2 Kin 14:6; Ezra 6:18; Neh 13:1; Dan 9:11, 13; Mal 4:4) and the NT (Matt 8:4; Mark 12:26; Luke 16:29; 24:27, 44; John 5:46; 7:22; Acts 15:1; Rom 10:19; 1 Cor. 9:9; 2 Cor 3:15) ascribe this composition to Moses, who is the fitting author in light of his educational background (cf. Acts 7:22). No compelling reasons have been forthcoming to challenge Mosaic authorship. Genesis was written after the Exodus (ca. 1445 B.C.), but before Moses’ death (ca. 1405 B.C.). For a brief biographical sketch of Moses read Ex 1-6.

Background and Setting

The initial setting for Genesis is eternity past. God then, by willful act and divine Word, spoke all creation into existence, furnished it, and finally breathed life into a lump of dirt which He fashioned in His image to become Adam. God made mankind the crowning point of His creation, i.e., His companions who would enjoy fellowship with Him and bring glory to His name. The historical background for the early events in Genesis is clearly Mesopotamian. While it is difficult to pinpoint precisely the historical moment for which this book was written, Israel first heard Genesis sometime prior to crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land (ca. 1405 B.C.). Genesis has 3 distinct, sequential geographical settings: 1) Mesopotamia (chaps. 1-11); 2) the Promised Land (chaps. 12-36); and 3) Egypt (chaps. 37-50). The time frames of these 3 segments are: 1) Creation to ca. 2090 B.C.; 2) 2090-1897 B.C.; and 3) 1897-1804 B.C. Genesis covers more time than the remaining books of the Bible combined.

Historical and Theological Themes

In this book of beginnings, God revealed Himself and a worldview to Israel which contrasted, at times sharply, with the worldview of Israel’s neighbors. The author made no attempt to defend the existence of God or to present a systematic discussion of His person and works. Rather, Israel’s God distinguished Himself clearly from the alleged gods of her neighbors. Theological foundations are revealed which include God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, man, sin, redemption, covenant, promise, Satan and angels, kingdom, revelation, Israel, judgment, and blessing.

Genesis 1-11 (primeval history) reveals the origins of the universe, i.e., the beginnings of time and space and many of the firsts in human experience, such as marriage, family, the Fall, sin, redemption, judgment, and nations. Genesis 12-50 (patriarchal history) explained to Israel how they came into existence as a family whose ancestry could be traced to Eber (hence the “Hebrews”; Gen 10:24, 25) and even more remotely to Shem, the son of Noah (hence the “Semites”; Gen 10:21). God’s people came to understand not only their ancestry and family history, but also the origins of their institutions, customs, languages, and different cultures, especially basic human experiences such as sin and death.

Because they were preparing to enter Canaan and dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants of their homes and properties, God revealed their enemies’ background. In addition, they needed to understand the actual basis of the war they were about to declare in light of the immorality of killing, consistent with the other 4 books that Moses was writing (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Ultimately, the Jewish nation would understand a selected portion of preceding world history and the inaugural background of Israel as a basis by which they would live in their new beginnings under Joshua’s leadership in the land which had previously been promised to their original patriarchal forefather, Abraham.

Genesis 12:1-3 established a primary focus on God’s promises to Abraham. This narrowed their view from the entire world of peoples in Gen 1-11 to one small nation, Israel, through whom God would progressively accomplish His redemptive plan. This underscored Israel’s mission to be “a light to the Gentiles” (Is 42:6). God promised land, descendants (seed), and blessing. This 3-fold promise became, in turn, the basis of the covenant with Abraham (Gen 15:1-20). The rest of Scripture bears out the fulfillment of these promises.

On a larger scale, Gen 1-11 set forth a singular message about the character and works of God. In the sequence of accounts which make up these chapters of Scripture, a pattern emerges which reveals God’s abundant grace as He responded to the willful disobedience of mankind. Without exception, in each account God increased the manifestation of His grace. But also without exception, man responded in greater sinful rebellion. In biblical words, the more sin abounded the more did God’s grace abound (cf. Rom 5:20).

One final theme of both theological and historical significance sets Genesis apart from other books of Scripture, in that the first book of Scripture corresponds closely with the final book. In the book of Revelation, the paradise which was lost in Genesis will be regained. The apostle John clearly presented the events recorded in his book as future resolutions to the problems which began as a result of the curse in Gen 3. His focus is upon the effects of the Fall in the undoing of creation and the manner in which God rids His creation of the curse effect. In John’s own words, “And there shall be no more curse” (Rev 22:3). Not surprisingly, in the final chapter of God’s Word, believers will find themselves back in the Garden of Eden, the eternal paradise of God, eating from the tree of life (Rev 22:1-14). At that time, they will partake, wearing robes washed in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 22:14).

Interpretive Challenges

Grasping the individual messages of Genesis which make up the larger plan and purpose of the book presents no small challenge since both the individual accounts and the book’s overall message offer important lessons to faith and works. Genesis presents creation by divine fiat, ex nihilo, i.e., “out of nothing.” Three traumatic events of epic proportions, namely the Fall, the universal Flood, and the Dispersion of nations are presented as historical backdrop in order to understand world history. From Abraham on, the pattern is to focus on God’s redemption and blessing. The customs of Genesis often differ considerably from those of our modern day. They must be explained against their ancient Near Eastern background. Each custom must be treated according to the immediate context of the passage before any attempt is made to explain it based on customs recorded in extrabiblical sources or even elsewhere in Scripture.

1. LXX Septuagint—an ancient translation of the Old Testament into Greek.

Outline of Genesis
by John MacArthur

Genesis by content is comprised of two basic sections: 1) Primitive history (Gen 1-11) and 2) Patriarchal history (Gen 12-50). Primitive history records 4 major events: 1) Creation (Gen 1, 2); 2) the Fall (Gen 3-5); 3) the Flood (Gen 6-9); and 4) the Dispersion (Gen 10, 11). Patriarchal history spotlights 4 great men: 1) Abraham (Gen 12:1-25:8); 2) Isaac (Gen 21:1-35:29); 3) Jacob (Gen 25:21-50:14); and 4) Joseph (Gen 30:22-50:26).

The literary structure of Genesis is built on the frequently recurring phrase “the history/genealogy of” and is the basis for the following outline:

I. The Creation of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1:1-2:3)

II. The Generations of the Heavens and the Earth (Gen 2:4-4:26)

A. Adam and Eve in Eden (Gen 2:4-25)
B. The Fall and Its Outcomes (Gen 3)
C. Murder of a Brother (Gen 4:1-24)
D. Hope in the Descendants of Seth (Gen 4:25, 26)

III. The Generations of Adam (Gen 5:1-6:8)

A. Genealogy—Seth to Noah (Gen 5)
B. Rampant Sin Prior to the Flood (Gen 6:1-8)

IV. The Generations of Noah (Gen 6:9-9:29)

A. Preparation for the Flood (Gen 6:9-7:9)
B. The Flood and Deliverance (Gen 7:10-8:19)
C. God’s Noahic Covenant (Gen 8:20-9:17)
D. The History of Noah’s Descendants (Gen 9:18-29)

V. The Generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen 10:1-11:9)

A. The Nations (Gen 10)
B. Dispersion of the Nations (Gen 11:1-9)

VI. The Generations of Shem: Genealogy of Shem to Terah (Gen 11:10-26)

VII. The Generations of Terah (Gen 11:27-25:11)

A. Genealogy (Gen 11:27-32)
B. The Abrahamic Covenant: His Land and People (Gen 12:1-22:19)
1. Journey to the Promised Land (Gen 12:1-9)
2. Redemption from Egypt (Gen 12:10-20)
3. Division of the land (Gen 13)
4. Victory over the kings (Gen 14)
5. The covenant ratified (Gen 15)
6. Rejection of Hagar and Ishmael (Gen 16)
7. The covenant confirmed (Gen 17)
8. Birth of Isaac foretold (Gen 18:1-15)
9. Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:16-19:38)
10. Philistine encounter (Gen 20)
11. Isaac’s birth (Gen 21)
12. Abraham’s act of faith with Isaac (Gen 22:1-19)
C. Abraham’s Promised Seed (Gen 22:20-25:11)
1. Rebekah’s background (Gen 22:20-24)
2. Death of Sarah (Gen 23)
3. Isaac’s marriage to Rebekah (Gen 24)
4. Isaac the only heir (Gen 25:1-6)
5. Death of Abraham (Gen 25:7-11)

VIII. The Generations of Ishmael (Gen 25:12-18)

IX. The Generations of Isaac (Gen 25:19-35:29)

A. Competition Between Esau and Jacob (Gen 25:19-34)
B. Covenant Blessings to Isaac (Gen 26)
C. Jacob’s Deception for the Blessing (Gen 27:1-40)
D. Blessing on Jacob in a Foreign Land (Gen 27:41-32:32)
1. Jacob sent to Laban (Gen 27:41-28:9)
2. Angel at Bethel (Gen 28:10-22)
3. Disagreements with Laban (Gen 29:1-30)
4. Promised seed (Gen 29:31-30:24)
5. Departure from Aram (Gen 30:25-31:55)
6. Angels at Mahanaim and Penuel (Gen 32)
E. Esau’s Reunion and Reconciliation with Jacob (Gen 33:1-17)
F. Events and Deaths from Shechem to Mamre (Gen 33:18-35:29)

X. The Generations of Esau (Gen 36:1-37:1)

XI. The Generations of Jacob (Gen 37:2-50:26)

A. Joseph’s Dreams (Gen 37:2-11)
B. Family Tragedy (Gen 37:12-38:30)
C. Vice Regency over Egypt (chaps. 39-41)
D. Reunion with Family (chaps. 42-45)
E. Transition to Exodus (chaps. 46-50)
1. Journey to Egypt (Gen 46:1-27)
2. Occupation in Goshen (Gen 46:28-47:31)
3. Blessings on the twelve tribes (Gen 48:1-49:28)
4. Death and burial of Jacob in Canaan (Gen 49:29-50:14)
5. Death of Joseph in Egypt (Gen 50:15-26)

Introduction to Genesis
by John MacArthur

Title

Author and Date

Background and Setting

Historical and Theological Themes

Interpretive Challenges

Outline of Genesis
by John MacArthur

I. The Creation of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1:1-2:3)

II. The Generations of the Heavens and the Earth (Gen 2:4-4:26)

III. The Generations of Adam (Gen 5:1-6:8)

IV. The Generations of Noah (Gen 6:9-9:29)

V. The Generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen 10:1-11:9)

VI. The Generations of Shem: Genealogy of Shem to Terah (Gen 11:10-26)

VII. The Generations of Terah (Gen 11:27-25:11)

VIII. The Generations of Ishmael (Gen 25:12-18)

IX. The Generations of Isaac (Gen 25:19-35:29)

X. The Generations of Esau (Gen 36:1-37:1)

XI. The Generations of Jacob (Gen 37:2-50:26)

The 1440 Agenda

Remembering Marcy

Study Bible

Introduction to Genesisby John MacArthur

Title

Author and Date

Background and Setting

Historical and Theological Themes

Interpretive Challenges

Outline of Genesisby John MacArthur

I. The Creation of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1:1-2:3)

II. The Generations of the Heavens and the Earth (Gen 2:4-4:26)

III. The Generations of Adam (Gen 5:1-6:8)

IV. The Generations of Noah (Gen 6:9-9:29)

V. The Generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen 10:1-11:9)

VI. The Generations of Shem: Genealogy of Shem to Terah (Gen 11:10-26)

VII. The Generations of Terah (Gen 11:27-25:11)

VIII. The Generations of Ishmael (Gen 25:12-18)

IX. The Generations of Isaac (Gen 25:19-35:29)

X. The Generations of Esau (Gen 36:1-37:1)

XI. The Generations of Jacob (Gen 37:2-50:26)

Books of the Bible

Chapters in Genesis

The 1440 Agenda

Introduction to Genesis
by John MacArthur

Outline of Genesis
by John MacArthur