Behold now, this city [is] near to flee unto,.... Pointing to Bela, afterwards called Zoar, from what follows: it is said to be two miles distant from Sodom z. But the Jews a say it was four miles, and some say b five; for they reckon that a man may go five miles from the ascent of the morning (or break of day) till the sun shines out:
and it [is] a little one: a little city, and the houses and buildings in it few, the inhabitants few; and the sins of it few, as the Targum of Jonathan adds, in comparison of Sodom and Gomorrah; and therefore Lot hoped this favour would be granted him, that this city might be saved, and he be allowed to flee to it, and go no further; but others think this refers not to the city, which some say c was a large and spacious one, but to his request, that it was a small thing he asked, and hoped therefore it would not be denied, and in which he was very importunate:
oh, let me escape thither, ([is] it not a little one?); or "is it not a little thing" d? a small request that I make:
and my soul shall live: I shall not only be able to get thither, and so my life will be preserved; but I shall be in good spirits, rejoice and be glad, that I am got safe and out of the reach of danger; my spirits, which are now faint, and therefore can never think of getting so far as to the mountain, but, if this favour is granted me, they will revive, and I shall cheerfully pursue my journey thither, and be comfortable.
z Bunting's Travels, p. 63. a T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 2, 3. & Gloss. in ib. b T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 94. 1. c Bunting's Travels, p. 63. d "Nonne perexigua res est?" Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius.