Haste thee, escape thither: for I cannot doe any thing till thou bee come thither: therefore the name of the citie was called Zoar. Genesis 19:22 (KJV)
In this passage we find Lot, Abraham’s nephew, who was living in Sodom. Earlier verses describe the forthcoming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their extreme wickedness. God showed mercy to Lot and his family by sending two angels to rescue them. In Genesis 19:17 the angels tell Lot to flee the city and seek safety in the mountains. Lot asks to leave for a nearby town rather than the rugged hills, requesting permission to go to the small city of Zoar. 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 19:22 records the angels’ instruction: “Turn thyself, and take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be swept away when the iniquity of the city be wroth.” The verse then notes that the town was called Zoar. The Hebrew name Zoar (צֹר, Tzor) is understood to mean “small” or “insignificant,” reflecting its modest size compared with Sodom and Gomorrah. The passage illustrates God’s compassion in providing a place of refuge for the righteous, even as judgment approaches the sinful cities. It reminds readers that God is patient and willing to protect those who trust in Him, while also warning of the serious consequences of disobedience. Overall, Genesis 19:22 encourages believers to heed divine warnings, rely on God’s provision, and recognize that choices have lasting effects, as demonstrated by the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.
