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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 18:20 Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/18-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/01_Gen_18_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 18:20 - Abraham Begs for Sodom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the LORD said, The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. 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Because their sin is so grievous,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the LORD said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And the LORD said, &#8220The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Yahweh said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said, “The outcry [of the sin] of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense, and their sin is extremely serious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, &#8220The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense, and their sin is extremely serious. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD said, "Abraham, I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are doing all kinds of evil things. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The LORD also said, "Sodom and Gomorrah have many complaints against them, and their sin is very serious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Abraham, "There are terrible accusations against Sodom and Gomorrah, and their sin is very great. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD also said, "How great is the disapproval of Sodom and Gomorrah! Their sin is so very serious! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, ?The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so blatant<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />God said, "Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is so grievous,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And YHWH says, “The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah—because great; and their sin—because exceedingly grievous:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jehovah saith, 'The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah -- because great; and their sin -- because exceeding grievous:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jehovah will say, The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah became great, and because their sin was exceedingly heavy,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord said: The cry of Sodom and Gomorrha is multiplied, and their sin is become exceedingly grievous. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so the Lord said, “The outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah has been multiplied, and their sin has become exceedingly grievous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So the LORD said: The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah has come before me and their sins are very grievous,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And LORD JEHOVAH said: “The bellowing of Sadom and of Ammora has entered before me, and their sins are very grievous,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the LORD said: 'Verily, the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and, verily, their sin is exceeding grievous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord said, The cry of Sodom and Gomorrha has been increased towards me, and their sins are very great.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/18-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3867" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/18.htm">Abraham Begs for Sodom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">Then the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2201.htm" title="2201: za·‘ă·qaṯ (N-fsc) -- A cry, outcry. And zoaqah; from za'aq; a shriek or outcry.">“The outcry</a> <a href="/hebrew/5467.htm" title="5467: sə·ḏōm (N-proper-fs) -- A Canaanite city near the Dead Sea. From an unused root meaning to scorch; burnt district; Sedom, a place near the Dead Sea.">against Sodom</a> <a href="/hebrew/6017.htm" title="6017: wa·‘ă·mō·rāh (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- A city in the Jordan Valley. From amar; a heap; Amorah, a place in Palestine.">and Gomorrah</a> <a href="/hebrew/7231.htm" title="7231: rāb·bāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to cast together, i.e. Increase, especially in number; also to multiply by the myriad.">is great.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Because</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: wə·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯām (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">their sin</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc.">is so</a> <a href="/hebrew/3513.htm" title="3513: ḵā·ḇə·ḏāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- Or kabed; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. In a bad sense or in a good sense (in the same two senses).">grievous,</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will find out.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/19-13.htm">Genesis 19:13</a></span><br />because we are about to destroy this place. For the outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that He has sent us to destroy it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-49.htm">Ezekiel 16:49-50</a></span><br />Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and complacent; they did not help the poor and needy. / Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them, as you have seen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-9.htm">Isaiah 3:9</a></span><br />The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-14.htm">Jeremiah 23:14</a></span><br />And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jude/1-7.htm">Jude 1:7</a></span><br />In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-6.htm">2 Peter 2:6-8</a></span><br />if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly; / and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless / (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-28.htm">Luke 17:28-30</a></span><br />It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. / But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. / It will be just like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-29.htm">Romans 9:29</a></span><br />It is just as Isaiah foretold: “Unless the Lord of Hosts had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-19.htm">Isaiah 13:19</a></span><br />And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-6.htm">Lamentations 4:6</a></span><br />The punishment of the daughter of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant without a hand turned to help her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-23.htm">Deuteronomy 29:23</a></span><br />All its soil will be a burning waste of sulfur and salt, unsown and unproductive, with no plant growing on it, just like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His fierce anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/4-11.htm">Amos 4:11</a></span><br />“Some of you I overthrew as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand snatched from a blaze, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-15.htm">Matthew 10:15</a></span><br />Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-23.htm">Matthew 11:23-24</a></span><br />And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. / But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-11.htm">Mark 6:11</a></span><br />If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;</p><p class="hdg">the cry.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a></b></br> And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-13.htm">Genesis 19:13</a></b></br> For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/3-9.htm">Isaiah 3:9</a></b></br> The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide <i>it</i> not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.</p><p class="hdg">sin.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-13.htm">Genesis 13:13</a></b></br> But the men of Sodom <i>were</i> wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/21-4.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/genesis/15-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/17-6.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/genesis/14-11.htm">Gomorrah</a> <a href="/genesis/14-11.htm">Gomor'rah</a> <a href="/titus/2-2.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/james/5-4.htm">Outcry</a> <a href="/genesis/15-16.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/genesis/18-16.htm">Sodom</a> <a href="/revelation/14-13.htm">Verily</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/18-21.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/genesis/19-7.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/27-33.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/genesis/20-8.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/genesis/19-24.htm">Gomorrah</a> <a href="/genesis/19-24.htm">Gomor'rah</a> <a href="/genesis/23-6.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/genesis/19-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/21-11.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/18-21.htm">Outcry</a> <a href="/genesis/20-9.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/genesis/18-22.htm">Sodom</a> <a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Verily</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-1.htm">The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-9.htm">Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-16.htm">The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then the LORD said,</b><br>This phrase introduces a direct communication from God, emphasizing His active involvement in the affairs of humanity. It reflects the personal nature of God, who speaks and reveals His will. This is consistent with other instances in Genesis where God speaks directly to individuals, such as Adam, Noah, and Abraham.<p><b>The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great.</b><br>The term "outcry" suggests a cry for justice due to the severe wickedness of these cities. Sodom and Gomorrah were located in the region of the Dead Sea, and archaeological evidence suggests they were prosperous but morally corrupt. The "outcry" can be seen as a collective call from those oppressed or harmed by the cities' actions, similar to the cries of the oppressed in <a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Exodus 3:7</a>. This highlights God's concern for justice and righteousness.<p><b>Because their sin is so grievous,</b><br>The grievous nature of their sin indicates extreme moral depravity. The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah are later detailed in <a href="/genesis/19.htm">Genesis 19</a>, including sexual immorality and lack of hospitality. <a href="/ezekiel/16-49.htm">Ezekiel 16:49-50</a> also describes their sins as pride, excess, and neglect of the poor. This phrase underscores the severity of their actions, warranting divine judgment. The destruction of these cities serves as a warning and a type of final judgment, foreshadowing the ultimate judgment described in Revelation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The divine being speaking in this passage, often understood as God in the Christian tradition. This is a moment where God is directly communicating His awareness of human actions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sodom_and_gomorrah.htm">Sodom and Gomorrah</a></b><br>Two ancient cities known for their wickedness and sinfulness. They are often cited as examples of moral decay and divine judgment in biblical literature.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_outcry.htm">The Outcry</a></b><br>This refers to the collective cry of injustice and sin that has reached God. It implies that the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah are not only numerous but also severe enough to demand divine attention.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/sin.htm">Sin</a></b><br>The grievous actions and behaviors of the people in Sodom and Gomorrah. The Hebrew word for "sin" here is (chatt?'â), indicating a serious moral failing.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Abraham is the recipient of God's revelation about Sodom and Gomorrah's impending judgment. His role is crucial in the subsequent intercession for the cities.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a></b><br>The grievous nature of Sodom and Gomorrah's sin serves as a reminder of how seriously God views sin. It calls believers to examine their own lives and communities for areas of moral failing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_awareness_and_justice.htm">God's Awareness and Justice</a></b><br>This passage highlights that God is aware of human actions and injustices. It reassures believers that God is just and will address wrongdoing in His timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intercession_and_compassion.htm">Intercession and Compassion</a></b><br>Abraham's subsequent intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah (<a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23-33</a>) teaches the importance of praying for others, even those who are far from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_ignoring_god.htm">The Consequences of Ignoring God</a></b><br>The fate of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a warning of the consequences of living in persistent sin and ignoring God's standards.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_sodom's_fall_match_historical_records.htm">Does the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (implied in Genesis 18) align with known historical or archaeological records?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'hearts_far_from_me'_mean.htm">Were Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by a meteor strike?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_a_meteor_destroy_sodom_and_gomorrah.htm">Were Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by a meteor strike?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_fair_to_judge_towns_for_disbelief.htm">In Matthew 11:20–24, is it fair for entire towns to be judged for not believing when miracles done in ancient cities supposedly led to their downfall? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - A<span class="cmt_word">nd the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great.</span> Literally, <span class="accented">the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah</span> (cf. <a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a>), <span class="accented">because it is</span> (not, it is indeed, Baumgarten, Keil) <span class="accented">multiplied</span>; the place of emphasis being conceded to the subject of discourse, viz., the cry of Sodom s wickedness. <span class="cmt_word">And because their sin is very great.</span> Literally, <span class="accented">and their sin, because it is heavy, i.e.</span> abundant and heinous. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/18-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“The outcry</span><br /><span class="heb">זַעֲקַ֛ת</span> <span class="translit">(za·‘ă·qaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2201.htm">Strong's 2201: </a> </span><span class="str2">A shriek, outcry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against Sodom</span><br /><span class="heb">סְדֹ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(sə·ḏōm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5467.htm">Strong's 5467: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sodom -- a Canaanite city near the Dead Sea</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Gomorrah</span><br /><span class="heb">וַעֲמֹרָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wa·‘ă·mō·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6017.htm">Strong's 6017: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gomorrah -- a city in the Jordan Valley</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is great.</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֑בָּה</span> <span class="translit">(rāb·bāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their sin</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחַ֨טָּאתָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> </span><span class="str2">An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is so</span><br /><span class="heb">מְאֹֽד׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·’ōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3966.htm">Strong's 3966: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grievous,</span><br /><span class="heb">כָבְדָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḵā·ḇə·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3513.htm">Strong's 3513: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/18-20.htm">OT Law: Genesis 18:20 Yahweh said Because the cry of Sodom (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/18-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 18:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/18-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 18:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 18:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>