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Genesis 19:9 - Evil demands Lot's surrender

Genesis 19:9 - בראשית 19:9

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמְרוּ גֶּשׁ־הָלְאָה וַיֹּאמְרוּ הָאֶחָד בָּא־לָגוּר וַיִּשְׁפֹּט שָׁפוֹט עַתָּה נָרַע לְךָ מֵהֶם וַיִּפְצְרוּ בָאִישׁ בְּלוֹט מְאֹד וַיִּגְּשׁוּ לִשְׁבֹּר הַדָּלֶת׃

English Translation

And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee than with them. And they strongly urged the man, Lot, and came near to break the door.

Transliteration

Vayomru gesh-hale'a vayomru ha'echad ba-lagur vayishpot shafot ata nara lecha mehem vayiftzru ba'ish be'Lot me'od vayigshu lishbor hadalet.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ <b>׀</b> גֶּשׁ־הָ֗לְאָה וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ הָאֶחָ֤ד בָּֽא־לָגוּר֙ וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֣ט שָׁפ֔וֹט עַתָּ֕ה נָרַ֥ע לְךָ֖ מֵהֶ֑ם וַיִּפְצְר֨וּ בָאִ֤ישׁ בְּלוֹט֙ מְאֹ֔ד וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֖וּ לִשְׁבֹּ֥ר הַדָּֽלֶת׃
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ ׀ גֶּשׁ־הָ֗לְאָה וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ הָאֶחָ֤ד בָּֽא־לָגוּר֙ וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֣ט שָׁפ֔וֹט עַתָּ֕ה נָרַ֥ע לְךָ֖ מֵהֶ֑ם וַיִּפְצְר֨וּ בָאִ֤ישׁ בְּלוֹט֙ מְאֹ֔ד וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֖וּ לִשְׁבֹּ֥ר הַדָּֽלֶת׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 19:9) describes the confrontation between the wicked men of Sodom and Lot, who had taken in the visiting angels (disguised as men) into his home. The Sodomites, known for their cruelty and inhospitality, demanded that Lot surrender his guests to them. When Lot refused, they accused him of judging them and threatened him with violence.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "הָאֶחָד בָּא־לָגוּר" ("this one fellow came in to sojourn") reflects the Sodomites' resentment toward Lot. They accused him of being an outsider who now presumed to impose moral standards upon them. Rashi notes that their words reveal their arrogance and rejection of ethical behavior, as they saw hospitality as a form of judgment against their wicked ways.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 50:7) elaborates on the Sodomites' hostility, stating that their society was built on cruelty and selfishness. Their accusation that Lot was "playing the judge" ("וַיִּשְׁפֹּט שָׁפוֹט") highlights their disdain for righteousness. The Midrash compares their behavior to a thief who resents being rebuked, demonstrating how the wicked resent moral reproof.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:1) discusses the moral corruption of Sodom as a cautionary tale about societal decay. The Sodomites' attempt to break down Lot's door symbolizes their complete rejection of justice and kindness. Rambam emphasizes that a society that punishes righteousness is doomed to destruction, as seen in the subsequent fate of Sodom.

Key Lessons

  • Hospitality vs. Cruelty: Lot's defense of his guests contrasts sharply with the Sodomites' brutality, underscoring the Torah's emphasis on hakhnasat orchim (welcoming guests).
  • Moral Accountability: The Sodomites' accusation against Lot reveals their refusal to accept ethical responsibility, a trait that led to their downfall.
  • Divine Justice: The verse foreshadows the destruction of Sodom, demonstrating that societies built on wickedness cannot endure.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 19:9 mean when the people of Sodom say 'he will needs be a judge'?
A: Rashi explains that the Sodomites were angry at Lot because he had previously criticized their wicked behavior (as implied in Genesis 19:7 when he called their actions 'evil'). They mocked him by saying 'this stranger thinks he can judge us!' This shows their hostility toward moral rebuke and their rejection of justice.
Q: Why did the people of Sodom want to harm Lot in Genesis 19:9?
A: The Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 50:7) teaches that the Sodomites hated strangers and were especially cruel to those who showed kindness (as Lot did by hosting guests). Their threat to 'deal worse with thee than with them' shows their complete moral corruption, as they were willing to attack Lot for protecting visitors - the opposite of the Jewish value of hachnasat orchim (hospitality).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 19:9 about standing up for what's right?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:1) derives from this episode that one should not live among wicked people, as they will pressure others to conform. Lot tried to oppose Sodom's evil (as seen when he resisted them), but he had placed himself in danger by living there. The verse teaches that while we must stand for justice, we must also be wise about our environment.