Bible Strands
Genesis 19:21
“Very well,” he answered, “I will grant this request as well, and will not demolish the town you indicate.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Lord speaks to Lot in direct response to his plea to flee to a nearby small town rather than face the coming destruction. This occurs at the moment the angels prepare to escort Lot and his family out of Sodom.
The words — The phrase נָשָׂאתִי פָנֶ/ךָ (na.Sa.ti fa.Nei./kha) literally translates to "I have lifted up your face," a Hebrew idiom for granting favor or showing acceptance. This declaration immediately follows the Lord's commitment to spare the specific town Lot requested.
The thread — The pattern of divine favor responding to earnest pleading aligns with the Lord hearing cries and fulfilling desires recorded in Psalms 145:19 and Psalms 34:15. It also mirrors the intercessory cycle and subsequent restoration described in Job 42:8.
Why it lands — The text requires acknowledgment that mercy can be specifically granted without nullifying a declared judgment. It asks a reader to accept that divine responses operate within fixed boundaries and demand precise obedience rather than vague hope.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Psalms 145:19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
- Job 42:8 So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.”
- Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.
- Psalms 102:17 He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.
- Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”
- Genesis 12:2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
- Genesis 18:24 What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there?
- Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.
- Luke 11:8 I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
- Hebrews 2:17 For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.