Devine Scripture

Genesis 18:20

What does Genesis 18:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 18:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 18:20 means

The Lord revealed the specific reason for His impending action: the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was overwhelming, and their sin was exceedingly grievous. The "cry" refers to the pleas of those wronged, reaching God's ears, indicating a pervasive and deeply entrenched wickedness within those cities. This verse explicitly states the severity of their moral corruption, setting the context for the divine judgment that is to follow.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord said, Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is very great, and their sin is very evil,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah saith, `The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah--because great; and their sin--because exceeding grievous:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Lord said: The cry of Sodom and Gomorrha is multiplied, and their sin is become exceedingly grievous.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grievous,

Context

This verse introduces the central subject of the Lord's revelation to Abraham: the grievous sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, following the explanations of *why* Abraham was being informed in verses 17-19. This direct statement of their overwhelming wickedness establishes the necessity of divine intervention. It leads directly into the Lord's intention to investigate, setting the stage for Abraham's intercession.

v.19For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Jehovah, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Jehovah may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

v.20This passage

v.21I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 13:13

    Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against Jehovah exceedingly.

  • James 5:4

    Behold, the hire of the laborers who mowed your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth out: and the cries of them that reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

  • Isaiah 5:7

    For the vineyard of Jehovah of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; for righteousness, but, behold, a cry.

  • Ezekiel 16:49

    Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom: pride, fulness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

  • Genesis 4:10

    And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

  • Isaiah 3:9

    The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have done evil unto themselves.

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