King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
that I will now go down and see whether their deeds warrant the outcry that has reached me; if not, I will know."
Berean Standard Bible:
I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will find out.”
American Standard Version:
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 with Strong’s Numbers:
I will go down{H3381} now, and see{H7200} whether they have done{H6213} altogether{H3617} according to the cry{H6818} of it, which is come{H935} unto me; and if not, I will know{H3045}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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 Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Genesis 11:5
- ¶ And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
Genesis 11:7
- Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
Psalms 139:1
- ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me].
Psalms 139:24
- And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Zephaniah 1:12
- And it shall come to pass at that time, [that] I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
Micah 1:3
- For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 18:21
Genesis 18:21 is part of the narrative in which three visitors come to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre. These visitors are eventually revealed to be divine beings, with one identified as the Lord (Yahweh). The verse occurs within the context of God's decision to inform Abraham of His intentions to investigate the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah, cities notorious for their wickedness.
In this verse, God says, "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." This statement reflects several key themes and theological concepts:
1. **Divine Justice and Judgment**: God's resolve to personally investigate the situation in Sodom and Gomorrah underscores the theme of divine justice. The phrase "I will go down now, and see" suggests that God will not act based solely on hearsay but will make a firsthand assessment of the sinfulness of the cities.
2. **Divine Omniscience**: While God is omniscient and knows all things, the language of the verse reflects a form of accommodation to human understanding. It emphasizes the principle that God's judgments are based on thorough knowledge and understanding of the facts.
3. **Divine Intervention**: The verse indicates that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity. The decision to "go down" implies a deliberate act of intervention, which is a common theme throughout the Bible, showing God's concern for righteousness and justice on earth.
4. **Moral Accountability**: The "cry" that has come to God suggests that the suffering or the sin of the innocent has reached a point where divine intervention is necessary. This highlights the concept of moral accountability, where God holds people and societies responsible for their actions.
5. **Mercy and Patience**: The fact that God intends to investigate before acting allows for the possibility of mercy and patience. It is an invitation to repentance and a stay of judgment, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.
Historically, this verse is part of the Abrahamic narrative, which is foundational to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Abraham's intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah in the subsequent verses further explores themes of advocacy and the potential for mercy to triumph over judgment. The story serves as a backdrop for understanding the character of God as just, merciful, and intimately concerned with human affairs.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3381
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרַד
Transliteration: yârad
Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H3617
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּלָה
Transliteration: kâlâh
Pronunciation: kaw-law'
Description: from כָּלָה; a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction; altogether, (be, utterly) consume(-d), consummation(-ption), was determined, (full, utter) end, riddance. - Strong's Number: H6818
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צַעֲקָה
Transliteration: tsaʻăqâh
Pronunciation: tsah-ak-aw'
Description: from צָעַק; a shriek; cry(-ing). - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.