Genesis 19:11
Genesis 19:11 in Multiple Translations
And they struck the men at the entrance, young and old, with blindness, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the door.
And 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.
And 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.
But the men who were outside the door they made blind, all of them, small and great, so that they were tired out with looking for the door.
Then they made all the men in the doorway, young and old, suddenly go blind so they couldn't find the door.
Then they smote the men that were at the doore of the house with blindnes both small and great, so that they were wearie in seeking the doore.
and the men who [are] at the opening of the house they have smitten with blindness, from small even unto great, and they weary themselves to find the opening.
They struck the men who were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
And 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.
And them that were without, they struck with blindness from the least to the greatest, so that they could not find the door.
Then they caused all the men who were outside the door of the house, young and old, to become blind, so that they could not find the door.
Then they used their power to make all the men outside the house go blind, the young men as well as the old men, so that they couldn’t find the door to get in.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 19:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 19:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְֽ/אֶת
הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֞ים
אֲשֶׁר
פֶּ֣תַח
הַ/בַּ֗יִת
הִכּוּ֙
בַּ/סַּנְוֵרִ֔ים
מִ/קָּטֹ֖ן
וְ/עַד
גָּד֑וֹל
וַ/יִּלְא֖וּ
לִ/מְצֹ֥א
הַ/פָּֽתַח
וְֽ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֞ים
ʼîysh
H376
man
Art | N-mp
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
פֶּ֣תַח
pethach
H6607
entrance
N-ms
הַ/בַּ֗יִת
bayith
H1004
place
Art | N-ms
הִכּוּ֙
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp
בַּ/סַּנְוֵרִ֔ים
çanvêr
H5575
blindness
Prep | N-mp
מִ/קָּטֹ֖ן
qâṭân
H6996
small
Prep | Adj
וְ/עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Conj | Prep
גָּד֑וֹל
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Adj
וַ/יִּלְא֖וּ
lâʼâh
H3811
be weary
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
לִ/מְצֹ֥א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
הַ/פָּֽתַח
pethach
H6607
entrance
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 19:11
וְֽ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֞ים
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
פֶּ֣תַח
pethach
H6607
"entrance"
N-ms
A pethach is an entrance or doorway, like the gates of Jerusalem or the door to the temple, often symbolizing transition or access to a new place.
Definition: opening, doorway, entrance
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate, opening, place. See also: Genesis 4:7; Judges 9:40; Psalms 24:7.
הַ/בַּ֗יִת
bayith
H1004
"place"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
הִכּוּ֙
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
בַּ/סַּנְוֵרִ֔ים
çanvêr
H5575
"blindness"
Prep | N-mp
This word means blindness, describing a lack of sight. It is used in the plural form to emphasize the condition. The Bible uses this term to describe sudden blindness.
Definition: sudden blindness
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: blindness. See also: Genesis 19:11; 2 Kings 6:18.
מִ/קָּטֹ֖ן
qâṭân
H6996
"small"
Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word means something or someone small in size, amount, or importance. It can describe something as little or least, and is often used to convey a sense of youth or insignificance. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: young, small, unimportant Another spelling of qa.ton (קָטֹן ": small" H6996B)
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing), young(-er, -est). See also: Genesis 1:16; 1 Kings 22:31; Psalms 104:25.
וְ/עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
גָּד֑וֹל
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
וַ/יִּלְא֖וּ
lâʼâh
H3811
"be weary"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
Means to be or make weary, disgusted, or tired, like in Psalm 6:8 where David is weary of crying. It can also mean to be impatient or grieved.
Definition: 1) to be weary, be impatient, be grieved, be offended 1a) (Qal) to be weary, be impatient 1b) (Niphal) to be tired of something, weary oneself 1c) (Hiphil) to weary, make weary, exhaust
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: faint, grieve, lothe, (be, make) weary (selves). See also: Genesis 19:11; Isaiah 16:12; Psalms 68:10.
לִ/מְצֹ֥א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
הַ/פָּֽתַח
pethach
H6607
"entrance"
Art | N-ms
A pethach is an entrance or doorway, like the gates of Jerusalem or the door to the temple, often symbolizing transition or access to a new place.
Definition: opening, doorway, entrance
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate, opening, place. See also: Genesis 4:7; Judges 9:40; Psalms 24:7.
Study Notes — Genesis 19:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 19:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 19:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 19:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 19:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 19:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 19:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 19:11
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 19:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 19:11
- Sermons on Genesis 19:11
Context — Lot Welcomes the Angels
9“Get out of the way!” they replied. And they declared, “This one came here as a foreigner, and he is already acting like a judge! Now we will treat you worse than them.” And they pressed in on Lot and moved in to break down the door.
10But the men inside reached out, pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door.
11And they struck the men at the entrance, young and old, with blindness, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the door.
12Then the two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—a son-in-law, your sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, 13because we are about to destroy this place. For the outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that He has sent us to destroy it.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 6:18 | As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha. |
| 2 | Acts 13:11 | Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 28:28–29 | The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness, and confusion of mind, and at noon you will grope about like a blind man in the darkness. You will not prosper in your ways. Day after day you will be oppressed and plundered, with no one to save you. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 2:36 | How unstable you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria. |
| 5 | Isaiah 57:10 | You are wearied by your many journeys, but you did not say, “There is no hope!” You found renewal of your strength; therefore you did not grow weak. |
| 6 | Ecclesiastes 10:15 | The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. |
Genesis 19:11 Summary
In Genesis 19:11, the angels strike the men at the entrance of Lot's house with blindness, so that they cannot find the door. This event shows God's power and protection over those who are faithful to Him, as seen in Psalm 91:11, where it is written that God will give His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways. It also shows the depths of human sin and the consequences of pursuing wickedness, as seen in Romans 1:21. By trusting in God's plan and standing up for what is right, we can experience His mercy and protection, just like Lot and his family did in Genesis 19:12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the angels strike the men with blindness in Genesis 19:11?
The angels struck the men with blindness to protect Lot and themselves from the violent crowd, as seen in Genesis 19:11, and to fulfill God's plan to destroy the city, as mentioned in Genesis 19:13.
What can we learn from the men's persistence in trying to find the door despite being blind?
The men's persistence in trying to find the door despite being blind shows the depth of their sinful desires and the hardness of their hearts, as also seen in Romans 1:21, where it is written that people can become so hardened in their sin that they become foolish and exchange the truth for a lie.
Is this event a demonstration of God's judgment or mercy?
This event can be seen as both God's judgment on the wicked city, as mentioned in Genesis 19:13, and His mercy on Lot and his family, as seen in Genesis 19:12, where the angels warn Lot to get his family out of the city before its destruction.
How does this event relate to the rest of the biblical narrative?
This event is part of the larger story of God's judgment on sin and His mercy on those who are faithful, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18-19, and the eventual redemption of humanity through Jesus Christ, as mentioned in Revelation 21:1-4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can be like Lot, standing up for what is right in the face of overwhelming opposition, as seen in Genesis 19:9?
- How can I recognize and respond to the 'blindness' that can come from pursuing sinful desires, as seen in Genesis 19:11?
- What are some ways that God has shown mercy to me, just as He showed mercy to Lot and his family, as seen in Genesis 19:12?
- How can I trust in God's plan, even when it seems unclear or difficult, as seen in Genesis 19:13?
- What are some ways that I can be a 'light in the darkness' to those around me, as Lot was in Sodom, as seen in Genesis 19:9-11?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 19:11
And they smote the men that [were] at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great,.... with "blindnesses" (n); with extreme blindness, with blindness both of eye and heart, as Aben
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 19:11
And 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 19:11
They smote the men, Heb. with blindness, i.e. with a blindness both of body and mind. It was not a total blindness, as if they quite lost the use of their eyes, for they saw the house, though not the door, but it was a great dimness and confusion of their sight, and a disturbance in their common sense, by which they were made unable to distinguish between differing persons or places; as it was also with the Syrians, ; as it is in some measure with some drunkards, who, though their eyes be open, cannot distinguish between things that differ. And this was very easy for angels to do by a small alteration either in their sight, or in the air, whereby either the door might appear like the solid wall, or the several parts of the wall like so many doors.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 19:11
Genesis 19:11 And 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.Ver. 11. With blindness.] Subito scotomate , saith Junius: With blindness both of body and mind, saith Aben Ezra: such as tormented their eyes, as if they had been pricked with thorns, as the Hebrew word signifies. And yet they continue groping for the door, as if they were ambitious of destruction, which now was at next door by. Deus quem destruit dementat . So Pharaoh, when under that palpable three days’ darkness, rageth against God, and threateneth Moses with death. Though doomsday should be tomorrow next, wicked men must and will serve their lusts. Vale lumen amicum , said Theotimus in St Ambrose, who chose rather to lose his sight than his sin.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 19:11
(11) Blindness.—This word occurs elsewhere only in 2 Kings 6:18, and in both cases it is plain that actual blindness is not meant. Had the men here been struck with blindness they would not have wearied themselves with trying to find the door, but would either have gone away in terror at the visitation, or, if too hardened for that, would have groped about till they found it. So, if the Syrian army had been made actually blind, they would have surrendered themselves; nor would it have been practicable to guide an army of blind men on so long a march as that from Dothan to Samaria. In both cases the men were unaware that anything had happened to them. The people of Sodom thought they saw the door; the Syrians supposed that the locality was one well known to them, and only when the confusion was removed did they become conscious that they were at Samaria. The word really means a disturbance of vision caused by the eye not being in its proper connection with the brain. And so the men of Sodom ever seemed just upon the point of reaching the door, and pressed on, and strove and quarrelled, but always failed, they knew not how, but as they always supposed by one another’s fault. It is a strange picture of men given over to unbelief and sin, and who “seeing see not,” because they reject the true light.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 19:11
Verse 11. And they smote the men - with blindness] This has been understood two ways: 1. The angels, by the power which God had given them, deprived these wicked men of a proper and regular use of their sight, so as either totally to deprive them of it, or render it so confused that they could no longer distinguish objects; or, 2. They caused such a deep darkness to take place, that they could not find Lot's door. The author of the book of Wisdom was evidently of this latter opinion, for he says they were compassed about with horrible great darkness, Genesis 19:17. See a similar case of Elisha and the Syrians, 2Kg 6:18, &c.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 19:11
11. blindness] An unusual word for “blindness,” inflicted as a sudden temporary visitation, used here and 2 Kings 6:18. LXX ἀορασία.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 19:11
11. Smote — By an exercise of supernatural power. Blindness — The word ρπεψιν is used only here and 2 Kings 6:18, and in both places denotes a miraculous penal stroke.
Sermons on Genesis 19:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(1 Kings) the Work of Unknown Prophets by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of fulfilling the tasks and responsibilities that God has given us. He warns against the temptation of almost completing the |
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Spiritual Warfare by David Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of submission in various areas of life. He starts by emphasizing the need for children to obey their parents, as they are the |
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Thy Love to Me Was Wonderful by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon on blindness, the preacher delves into the concept of 'tuphlos' which can refer to both literal and spiritual blindness. It is used to describe one's mind as ignoran |
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God Is Still a Consuming Fire by Robert Wurtz II | Robert Wurtz II delivers a powerful sermon emphasizing that our God is still a consuming fire, drawing parallels between the consequences of sin in the Old and New Covenants. He hi |
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Upon This Rock by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of finding time for reflection and stillness in our busy lives. He shares his own experience of taking time to watch the suns |