The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 327

EXPOSITION. Ver. 2g,-And it came to paBS-not a plu- remembered Abraham. If the narrative con• perfect (Rosen.miiller), as if a direct con- taining the intercession of Abmham and the tinuation of the preceding narrative, but a overthro\V of Sodom was due to the Jehovist, preterite, being the commencement of a new ho\V came the earlier author to know any• subdivision of the history in which the writer thing about those events 1 The obvious allu• treats of Lot's residence in Zoar--when God sions to them in the present verse could ouly -Elohim. Hence, e.s a fragment of the have been made by one acquainted with them. original Elohist's composition, the present Either, therefore, the present verse proceeded verse is by the pseudo-criticism connected from the hand of the so-called Jehovist, or it with eh. xvii. 27 (Ilgen, Tuch, Bleek); but requires explanation how in the ori,,inal docu• "a greater abruptness of style and a more meut this should be the fir~t and onYy occasion fragmentary mode of composition" than this on which they are referred to (cf. Quarry, p. would indicate " could not easily be ima- 445). And-in answer to Abraham's prayer ,;i ncd "(Kalisch). The change in the Divine (eh. xviii. 23)-sent Lot out of the midst ol name is sufficiently explained by the suppos- the overthrow (there is no reason to suppose ition that the destruction of the cities of that Abraham was awnre of his nephew's the plain was not at the moment viewed by escape), when he overthrew-literally, in the the \Vriter in its connection with the Abra- overtlmrwing of the citus, the inf. being con- L.amic covenant and intercession, but as a strued with the case of its verb (vide Geae- sublime vindication of Divine jw,tice (cf. nius, § 133)-the cities in thewhioh-oneof ll11arry, p. 444) -deatroyed (literally, in which (cf. Judges xv. 7)-Lot dwelt. it. mtrc,yfr,~1 ly Elohim, or in Elohim's Ver. 30.-And Lot went up out of Zoar tlcctroying) the cities of the plaili, that God (probably soon after\ and dwelt 1D the mOUJL• ott. XllL 29-38. J 'flt~ BOOK OF GENESIS. 261