Verse 29 is the conclusion of the episode that describes the destruction of the cities.

So it was introduces the conclusion. We may also say, for example, “And so it happened,” “That is what happened when….”

God destroyed the cities of the valley: God is ʾelohim in both occurrences in verse 29.

The significant point made in this verse is God remembered Abraham; this is the same expression used of Noah in 8.1. See there for discussion and translation. It was because of Abraham’s relation to God that Lot, Abraham’s nephew, escaped destruction.

Sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow: this means that he let Lot escape from the destruction. Translations express this in various ways; for example, “he let Lot run away to a safe place,” “he sent Lot away so that he wouldn’t perish,” or “he did not finish off Lot along with all those other people.”

When he overthrew the cities …: this repeats what is stated at the beginning of the verse. Many translators will want to follow Good News Translation in expressing this only once: “when God destroyed the cities of the valley where Lot was living.”

Translators may also find that some reordering of clauses is necessary in this verse to give a clear picture. For example, we may follow Good News Translation with “Therefore when God destroyed the cities of the Jordan valley where Lot was living, he had not forgotten Abraham, and so let Lot escape the destruction” or “It was in this way that God destroyed the cities of the valley where Lot was living; but God kept Abraham in mind [kept Abraham in his heart] and rescued Lot from the destruction.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .