Bible Strands
Genesis 19:1
Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator records two angels arriving at Sodom in the evening while Lot sits at the city gate. When Lot sees them, he rises and bows facedown to greet them.
The words — The Hebrew word שְׁנֵי (she.Nei) literally means "the two," specifying the exact number of visitors. The verb יֹשֵׁב (yo.Shev) denotes that Lot was actively "sitting" at the gateway when they arrived.
The thread — This event directly follows the two men's departure from Abraham in Genesis 18:22 and later serves as the narrative basis for the hospitality principle in Hebrews 13:2. The immediate context in Genesis 19:2 shows Lot's response to their arrival.
Why it lands — The text documents Lot's physical actions of rising and bowing, establishing the factual baseline of ancient guest-receiving customs. Readers observe how the sudden appearance of travelers triggers immediate deference and the practical offer of shelter.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And 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;
Cross-references
- Genesis 18:1 Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent.
- Genesis 18:22 And the two men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
- Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
- Job 31:32 but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler—