share torah logo

Genesis 19:17 - Flee, don't look back!

Genesis 19:17 - בראשית 19:17

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי כְהוֹצִיאָם אֹתָם הַחוּצָה וַיֹּאמֶר הִמָּלֵט עַל־נַפְשֶׁךָ אַל־תַּבִּיט אַחֲרֶיךָ וְאַל־תַּעֲמֹד בְּכָל־הַכִּכָּר הָהָרָה הִמָּלֵט פֶּן־תִּסָּפֶה׃

English Translation

And it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Transliteration

Vayehi kehotsiam otam hachutza vayomer himaleit al-nafshecha al-tabit acharecha ve'al-ta'amod bechol-hakikar haharah himaleit pen-tisafeh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִי֩ כְהוֹצִיאָ֨ם אֹתָ֜ם הַח֗וּצָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הִמָּלֵ֣ט עַל־נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ אַל־תַּבִּ֣יט אַחֲרֶ֔יךָ וְאַֽל־תַּעֲמֹ֖ד בְּכׇל־הַכִּכָּ֑ר הָהָ֥רָה הִמָּלֵ֖ט פֶּן־תִּסָּפֶֽה׃
וַיְהִי֩ כְהוֹצִיאָ֨ם אֹתָ֜ם הַח֗וּצָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הִמָּלֵ֣ט עַל־נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ אַל־תַּבִּ֣יט אַחֲרֶ֔יךָ וְאַֽל־תַּעֲמֹ֖ד בְּכׇל־הַכִּכָּ֑ר הָהָ֥רָה הִמָּלֵ֖ט פֶּן־תִּסָּפֶֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 19:17) describes the moment when the angels rescue Lot and his family from the impending destruction of Sodom. The instruction to flee without looking back or lingering in the plain carries deep moral and theological significance in Orthodox Jewish thought.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the phrase "הִמָּלֵט עַל־נַפְשֶׁךָ" ("Escape for thy life") emphasizes the urgency of Lot's situation. He notes that the angels could have miraculously transported Lot to safety, but they wanted him to actively participate in his own salvation, teaching that one must make an effort to merit divine assistance (based on the principle of "הבא להיטהר מסייעין אותו", "One who comes to purify himself is aided").

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:1) derives from this episode the importance of distancing oneself from sinful environments. The command to flee to the mountain symbolizes the need to seek spiritual elevation and separation from corrupt influences, as the plain represented the morally bankrupt society of Sodom.

Talmudic Insights

  • The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 3a) compares Lot's hesitation to leave Sodom to people who delay abandoning sinful behaviors, showing how attachment to evil can be dangerously compelling.
  • Chazal (Bereshit Rabbah 51:8) explain that the prohibition against looking back alludes to not longing for or regretting leaving a wicked lifestyle behind.

Midrashic Interpretations

The Midrash (Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer 25) elaborates that the angels specifically instructed Lot to flee to the mountain because Avraham was praying on the mountain at that time (Mount Moriah), suggesting that spiritual refuge is found in places of prayer and connection to righteous ancestors.

Chassidic Understanding

The Baal Shem Tov teaches that the "mountain" represents rising above material concerns, while the "plain" symbolizes worldly entanglements. The verse thus becomes an eternal lesson about the need to elevate oneself spiritually when escaping destructive influences.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 54b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the miracles that happened to the righteous and the importance of remembering them.
📖 Sanhedrin 108b
The verse is discussed in the context of the story of Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing the command to flee without looking back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 19:17 mean?
A: Genesis 19:17 describes the angels warning Lot and his family to flee Sodom without looking back or stopping in the plain, to escape the destruction. Rashi explains that 'look not behind thee' means not to have any longing for the wicked city they were leaving behind. The instruction to escape to the mountain symbolizes complete separation from the sinful environment.
Q: Why were Lot and his family told not to look back?
A: According to the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 51:8), looking back would show hesitation or regret over leaving Sodom, indicating they were still attached to its sinful ways. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:4) teaches that true repentance requires complete abandonment of past wrongdoings—symbolized here by not looking back.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 19:17?
A: This verse teaches the importance of decisively leaving behind negative influences. The Talmud (Pesachim 54a) discusses how hesitation in doing what is right can be dangerous. Just as Lot's family had to flee without delay, we must distance ourselves from harmful environments or behaviors without hesitation.
Q: Why were they told to escape to the mountain?
A: Rashi explains that the mountain represents a place of spiritual elevation and safety, away from the doomed plain of Sodom. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 51:9) suggests that mountains are often associated with divine encounters (like Mount Sinai), symbolizing a call to higher moral ground.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: The Vilna Gaon teaches that this story is a timeless lesson about separating from negative influences. Just as Lot had to leave Sodom completely, we must avoid lingering in spiritually harmful situations. The Chofetz Chaim emphasizes that true growth often requires a clean break from past habits or environments.