4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

Other Translations of Genesis 19:4

New International Version

4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom-both young and old-surrounded the house.

English Standard Version

4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house.

The Message

4 Before they went to bed men from all over the city of Sodom, young and old, descended on the house from all sides and boxed them in.

New King James Version

4 Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house.

New Living Translation

4 But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 19:4

Commentary on Genesis 19:1-29

(Read Genesis 19:1-29)

Lot was good, but there was not one more of the same character in the city. All the people of Sodom were very wicked and vile. Care was therefore taken for saving Lot and his family. Lot lingered; he trifled. Thus many who are under convictions about their spiritual state, and the necessity of a change, defer that needful work. The salvation of the most righteous men is of God's mercy, not by their own merit. We are saved by grace. God's power also must be acknowledged in bringing souls out of a sinful state If God had not been merciful to us, our lingering had been our ruin. Lot must flee for his life. He must not hanker after Sodom. Such commands as these are given to those who, through grace, are delivered out of a sinful state and condition. Return not to sin and Satan. Rest not in self and the world. Reach toward Christ and heaven, for that is escaping to the mountain, short of which we must not stop. Concerning this destruction, observe that it is a revelation of the wrath of God against sin and sinners of all ages. Let us learn from hence the evil of sin, and its hurtful nature; it leads to ruin.