Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 19:17

"And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the Plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." — Genesis 19:17 (ASV)

Abroad. —Hebrew, outside —that is, outside the city.

Look not behind thee. —This was not merely to prevent delay, but also showed that God demanded of them a total abandonment in heart and will of the condemned cities, and thus the severity with which the violation of the command was punished.

Plain. —The Ciccar or circle of Jordan. So also in Genesis 19:25; Genesis 19:28–29; see Note on Genesis 13:10.