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Genesis 19:12 - Save your family from destruction?

Genesis 19:12 - בראשית 19:12

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמְרוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים אֶל־לוֹט עֹד מִי־לְךָ פֹה חָתָן וּבָנֶיךָ וּבְנֹתֶיךָ וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר־לְךָ בָּעִיר הוֹצֵא מִן־הַמָּקוֹם׃

English Translation

And the men said to Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

Transliteration

Vayomru ha'anashim el-Lot od mi-l'kha po chatan uvanekha uvnotekha v'khol asher-l'kha ba'ir hotze min-hamakom.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֜ים אֶל־ל֗וֹט עֹ֚ד מִֽי־לְךָ֣ פֹ֔ה חָתָן֙ וּבָנֶ֣יךָ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יךָ וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־לְךָ֖ בָּעִ֑יר הוֹצֵ֖א מִן־הַמָּקֽוֹם׃
וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֜ים אֶל־ל֗וֹט עֹ֚ד מִֽי־לְךָ֣ פֹ֔ה חָתָן֙ וּבָנֶ֣יךָ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יךָ וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־לְךָ֖ בָּעִ֑יר הוֹצֵ֖א מִן־הַמָּקֽוֹם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Genesis 19:12) occurs during the episode of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The "men" referred to are the angels who came to rescue Lot and his family before the cities were overturned. The angels urge Lot to gather all his relatives and possessions to flee the impending destruction.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments on the phrase "עֹד מִי־לְךָ פֹה" ("Hast thou here any besides?"), explaining that the angels were giving Lot an opportunity to save anyone connected to him through righteousness. Rashi notes that this included potential sons-in-law (חָתָן), as Lot had previously offered his daughters to the men of Sodom (Genesis 19:8), implying they were betrothed but not yet married.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra emphasizes that the angels instructed Lot to remove "כֹל אֲשֶׁר־לְךָ בָּעִיר" ("whatever thou hast in the city"), which includes not only family but also possessions. This highlights the urgency and totality of the destruction—nothing tied to Sodom could remain.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 50:9) elaborates that Lot’s sons-in-law mocked his warning, refusing to believe in the imminent destruction. This reflects the spiritual corruption of Sodom, where even those connected to Lot (a relative of Avraham) were too entrenched in evil to heed divine mercy.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 2:48) discusses the nature of prophetic warnings. Here, the angels' message underscores that divine punishment is never arbitrary—opportunity for repentance or escape is always granted, even in a place as wicked as Sodom.

Key Lessons

  • Divine Mercy: Despite Sodom’s wickedness, Hashem provided a path for Lot’s family to escape, demonstrating that righteousness is never overlooked.
  • Urgency of Repentance: The refusal of Lot’s sons-in-law to listen serves as a warning about the consequences of ignoring divine warnings.
  • Separation from Evil: The command to leave everything behind teaches that attachment to a corrupt environment jeopardizes spiritual survival.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the 'men' speaking to Lot in Genesis 19:12?
A: According to Rashi and traditional Jewish sources, the 'men' are actually angels sent by Hashem to rescue Lot and destroy Sodom. They appeared in human form to interact with Lot.
Q: Why did the angels tell Lot to bring his family out of the city?
A: As explained in the Talmud and Midrash, Sodom was about to be destroyed due to its wickedness. The angels were giving Lot and his family a chance to be saved because of Abraham's merit and because Lot showed some hospitality (unlike the other Sodomites).
Q: What is the significance of listing all of Lot's family members in this verse?
A: The Ramban explains that the detailed listing (sons-in-law, sons, daughters) emphasizes that the angels wanted to save Lot's entire household. This shows Hashem's mercy in giving everyone a chance to be saved from destruction.
Q: How does this verse relate to the Jewish concept of 'pikuach nefesh' (saving a life)?
A: This verse demonstrates the supreme value Judaism places on human life. Even when destroying the wicked city, the angels made every effort to save the innocent. As the Talmud states, saving one life is like saving an entire world (Sanhedrin 37a).
Q: What lesson can we learn from how Lot responded to the angels' warning?
A: The Midrash teaches that Lot's hesitation and weak response (as seen in later verses) shows the spiritual danger of living among wicked people. Even a righteous person like Lot was negatively influenced by Sodom's environment, teaching us to be careful about our surroundings.