Gen 19:20 | NETfull | STEP | Look, this town over here is close enough to escape to, and it’s just a little one. Let me go there. It’s just a little place, isn’t it? Then I’ll survive.”

Genesis 19:20

20 Look, this town ^{▼▼ The Hebrew word עִיר (’ir) can refer to either a city or a town, depending on the size of the place. Given that this place was described by Lot later in this verse as a “little place,” the translation uses “town.”} over here is close enough to escape to, and it’s just a little one. ^{▼▼ Heb “Look, this town is near to flee to there. And it is little.”} Let me go there. ^{▼▼ Heb “Let me escape to there.” The cohortative here expresses Lot’s request.} It’s just a little place, isn’t it? ^{▼▼ Heb “Is it not little?”} Then I’ll survive.” ^{▼▼ Heb “my soul will live.” After the cohortative the jussive with vav conjunctive here indicates purpose/result.}