The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth
English Standard Version (ESV)
While Lot's hospitality is commendable, his bowing isn't an act of religious worship, as he doesn't yet know they are angels. Instead, it's a cultural gesture of respect to honored guests, showing he learned politeness from Abraham, not necessarily deep spiritual discernment.
The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth
English Standard Version (ESV)
Two angelic messengers, continuing their journey from Abraham's tent, arrive in Sodom as evening falls. Lot, who has become a resident of the city, is sitting at its gate, a place where business, social interaction, and judgment often occurred. Upon seeing the strangers, Lot immediately rises to greet them with a customary gesture of deep respect, eager to welcome them to his home.
Why was Lot sitting in the gate of Sodom? Was it for business, justice, or something else entirely?
The verse places Lot in a significant location: the gate of Sodom. This wasn't just any spot; it was the hub of city life – a place for business, legal proceedings, and social gatherings, especially in the evening.
Two Main Possibilities:
Regardless of the exact role, his presence at the gate signifies a man who, despite living in a corrupt city, still held onto certain values and was perhaps trying to exert a positive influence or at least mitigate harm.
Lot immediately rises to meet the strangers, showing a strong sense of duty. But what does this interaction reveal about God's plan?
Lot's immediate reaction upon seeing the visitors is telling. He 'rose up to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the ground.' This wasn't necessarily religious worship, as he didn't yet know they were angels, but a profound act of respect and customary civility, especially to honored guests.
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The Deeper Significance:
Understand the original words
mal’ak · Hebrew Noun
Supernatural messengers of God who act as agents of His will, often appearing in human form in the Old Testament to deliver messages or execute judgment.
Sedom · Hebrew Noun
An ancient city in the Jordan Valley, biblically synonymous with extreme wickedness, moral depravity, and subsequent divine judgment.
sha'ar · Hebrew Noun
In the Ancient Near East, the city gate was the administrative, judicial, and social center of a town where elders sat, business was transacted, and justice was dispensed.
chavah · Hebrew Verb
A gesture of profound respect, honor, or submission, often directed toward superiors, royalty, or, in a religious context, toward God.
Lot's hospitable nature, learned from Abraham, is highlighted as he prepares to welcome strangers. His position in the city gate signifies his integration into Sodomite society, even as he anticipates the judgment to come, showcasing the complex character of a 'righteous' man living among deep corruption.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Abraham and Lot Separate
Abraham and his nephew Lot, who had been living together, separate due to disputes between their herdsmen. Lot chooses to settle near the wicked cities of the plain, including Sodom.
c. 1900 BC
Invasion of the Kings
Four kings, led by Chedorlaomer, wage war against the kings of the plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot is captured in the conflict but is rescued by Abraham.
c. 1900 BC
God's Promise to Abraham
Following the rescue of Lot, God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and land. Abraham intercedes with God for the righteous people of Sodom.
c. 1900 BC
Angels Visit Abraham
Three divine visitors appear to Abraham. Two of them are identified as angels who will later visit Sodom, while the third is understood by many to be God Himself.
c. 1900 BC— this verse
Angels Arrive in Sodom
The two angels arrive in Sodom in the evening, finding Lot sitting in the gate of the city. Lot, acting as a host, invites them to stay at his home, showing hospitality despite the city's wickedness.
c. 1900 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
The angels reveal the city's impending doom due to its extreme wickedness. Lot and his family are urged to flee, and God rains down fire and brimstone, destroying Sodom and its surrounding cities.
This passage shows the initial appearance of the divine messengers to Abraham, setting the stage for their journey to Sodom and establishing the theme of divine visitation and hospitality.
Hebrews 13:2This New Testament verse directly echoes the hospitality shown to the angels in Genesis 19, urging believers to practice similar kindness, reminding us that we might unknowingly entertain angels or divine messengers.
2 Peter 2:7-8This passage contrasts Lot's righteousness and distress with the wicked inhabitants of Sodom, highlighting Lot's separation from the surrounding sin despite his living among them, and the impending judgment.
Luke 17:28-29Jesus Himself references the destruction of Sodom in His teaching, emphasizing the suddenness of judgment and the need for vigilance, drawing a parallel to the day of His own return.
Jude 1:7This verse explicitly mentions Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of eternal fire, underscoring the severity of God's judgment against sexual immorality and unnatural desires, which were rampant in that city.
clarkeGenesis 19:1: "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;"
Two angels - The two referred to Genesis 18:22 . Sat in the gate - Probably, in order to prevent unwary travelers from being entrapped by his wicked townsmen, he waited at the gate of the city to bring the strangers he might meet with to his own house, as well as to transact his own business. Or, as the gate…
calvinGenesis 19:1-38: "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;"
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Et dixit, Ecce, nunc domini mei, declinate obsecro ad domum ser…
While Lot's hospitality is commendable, his bowing isn't an act of religious worship, as he doesn't yet know they are angels. Instead, it's a cultural gesture of respect to honored guests, showing he learned politeness from Abraham, not necessarily deep spiritual discernment.
Two angelic messengers, continuing their journey from Abraham's tent, arrive in Sodom as evening falls. Lot, who has become a resident of the city, is sitting at its gate, a place where business, social interaction, and judgment often occurred. Upon seeing the strangers, Lot immediately rises to greet them with a customary gesture of deep respect, eager to welcome them to his home.
Two angelic messengers, continuing their journey from Abraham's tent, arrive in Sodom as evening falls. Lot, who has become a resident of the city, is sitting at its gate, a place where business, social interaction, and judgment often occurred. Upon seeing the strangers, Lot immediately rises to greet them with a customary gesture of deep respect, eager to welcome them to his home.
"The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth" — While Lot's hospitality is commendable, his bowing isn't an act of religious worship, as he doesn't yet know they are angels. Instead, it's a cultural gesture of respect to honored guests, showing he…
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Last reviewed October 2026