Genesis 13:13

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Now the men of S'dom were evil, committing great sins against ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible:

But the men of Sodom were wicked, sinning greatly against the LORD.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But the men^{H582} of Sodom^{H5467} were wicked^{H7451} and sinners^{H2400} before the LORD^{H3068} exceedingly^{H3966}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Genesis 13:13

Genesis 13:13 is part of the narrative in the Book of Genesis that introduces the city of Sodom, which is one of the five cities of the plain (Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela, also known as Zoar). This verse succinctly describes the moral character of the inhabitants of Sodom, emphasizing their extreme wickedness and sinfulness in the eyes of the Lord.

**Themes:**
1. **Moral Corruption:** The verse highlights the theme of moral depravity, setting the stage for the subsequent story of Sodom and Gomorrah, which serves as a stark warning against sin and immorality.
2. **Divine Judgment:** The wickedness of Sodom's inhabitants is presented in contrast to the righteousness of Abraham, who is the patriarch of the Hebrew people. This contrast sets up the theme of divine judgment, as God ultimately decides to punish Sodom and Gomorrah for their sins.
3. **Righteousness vs. Sin:** The verse contributes to the overarching theme in Genesis of the struggle between righteousness and sin, a motif that recurs throughout the Bible.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events described in Genesis 13 are set in the early second millennium BCE, during the time of the patriarchs.
- **Cultural Context:** The narrative reflects the ancient Near Eastern context, where city-states were common, and their moral conduct was often seen as a collective responsibility before the gods.
- **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a larger story arc that includes the hospitality of Abraham (Genesis 18) and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). It serves to foreshadow the impending judgment on these cities.

The description of Sodom's inhabitants as exceedingly wicked and sinful before the Lord is a key element in the biblical narrative that underscores the importance of righteous living and the consequences of persistent sinfulness.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5467
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סְדֹם
   Transliteration: Çᵉdôm
   Pronunciation: sed-ome'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to scorch; burnt (i.e. volcanic or bituminous) district; Sedom, a place near the Dead Sea; Sodom.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7451
   There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַע
   Transliteration: raʻ
   Pronunciation: rah
   Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
   
4. Strong's Number: H2400
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חַטָּא
   Transliteration: chaṭṭâʼ
   Pronunciation: khat-taw'
   Description: intensively from חָטָא; a criminal, or one accounted guilty; offender, sinful, sinner.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3966
   There are 278 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְאֹד
   Transliteration: mᵉʼôd
   Pronunciation: meh-ode'
   Description: from the same as אוּד; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated); diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well.