Bible Strands
Genesis 19:26
But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative records an event during the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, occurring immediately after the destruction of the cities and plain (Genesis 19:25) and before Abraham's morning return to the site (Genesis 19:27).
The words — The Hebrew verb תָּבֵט (ta.Bet) means to look or gaze, while נְצִיב מֶלַח (ne.Tziv melach) literally denotes a standing pillar or post of salt.
The thread — This event directly violates the explicit command not to look back in Genesis 19:17, and the New Testament parallels the scene in Luke 17:31-32 regarding those on housetops or in fields, while Hebrews 10:38 warns against shrinking back.
Why it lands — The text states that Lot’s wife looked back and physically became a pillar of salt. This concrete result follows her disregard for the escape command, establishing a literal boundary against lingering attachment to a condemned place.
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
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Cross-references
- Luke 17:31 On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind.
- Genesis 19:17 As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”
- Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
- Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.
- Numbers 16:38 As for the censers of those who sinned at the cost of their own lives, hammer them into sheets to overlay the altar, for these were presented before the LORD, and so have become holy. They will serve as a sign to the Israelites.”