But he lingered: lingered means delayed or hesitated. In some languages this is expressed as “took his time” or “didn’t hurry.” Translators may wish to make this statement a time clause, for example, “When Lot hesitated…,” followed by the action of the angels.

So the men seized him … by the hand: the angels have to use force to make Lot and his family leave.

The LORD being merciful to him: this comment relates to the angels’ action to get Lot to safety. In verse 29 the narrator makes it clear that it is because of God’s relation to Abraham that Lot is saved from destruction. Translators must decide how this comment best fits within verse 16. Some find it fits best after “Lot hesitated,” as in Good News Translation. Others may find it is best to place it at the end of the verse. To be merciful is to do something that shows compassion and concern for the welfare of another person. Lot had chosen to settle in Sodom (13.11), but this did not prevent the LORD from acting in a kindly way toward him. Many languages have idiomatic ways to express mercy; for example, “to feel for someone in your heart,” “to have a good stomach for,” “to let your liver go out to.”

They brought him forth and set him outside the city: the object pronouns here refer to Lot. However, in verse 17 the form is plural. If the pronouns are kept in translation, it will normally be best to use the plural form in each case. Brought him forth and set him is best understood as two verbs expressing a single event. Speiser translates “and led them to safety outside the city.”

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 .