Devine Scripture

Genesis 18:21

What does Genesis 18:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 18:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 18:21 means

The Lord declared His intention to personally descend and investigate the extent of Sodom and Gomorrah's sin. This anthropomorphic language emphasizes the thoroughness and justness of God's judgment; He would not act without full knowledge and confirmation of their wickedness. This detail underscores that God's justice is not arbitrary but is based on careful, firsthand assessment. His knowing for certain reflects His perfect justice and understanding.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I will go down now, and see if their acts are as bad as they seem from the outcry which has come to me; and if they are not, I will see.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I go down now, and see whether according to its cry which is coming unto Me they have done completely--and if not--I know;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I will go down and see whether they have done according to the cry that is come to me; or whether it be not so, that I may know.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse immediately follows the declaration of Sodom and Gomorrah's grievous sin in verse 20, outlining the Lord's planned course of action. It highlights God's intention to personally verify the accusations before judgment. This detailed explanation of God's investigative process is important as it sets the stage for Abraham's intercession, demonstrating that God is open to appeal and operates with perfect justice.

v.20And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

v.21This passage

v.22And the men turned from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before Jehovah.

Cross references

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

  • Micah 1:3

    For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.

  • Exodus 3:8

    and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

  • Job 34:22

    There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

  • Hebrews 4:13

    And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16

    For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;

  • Jeremiah 17:1

    The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, andwith the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the tablet of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

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