Genesis 18:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559}, Because the cry {H2201} of Sodom {H5467} and Gomorrah {H6017} is great {H7227}, and because their sin {H2403} is very {H3966} grievous {H3513};

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said, "The outcry against S'dom and 'Amora is so great and their sin so serious

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 18:20 records the LORD's solemn declaration to Abraham concerning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This divine pronouncement highlights the overwhelming and pervasive nature of their wickedness, describing it as a "cry" that has ascended to God and a "sin" that is "very grievous." This statement reveals God's perfect awareness of human depravity and His righteous commitment to justice, signaling the impending divine judgment upon these morally corrupt communities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This declaration is a pivotal moment following an intimate divine encounter. The preceding verses detail Abraham's exemplary hospitality to three mysterious visitors, whom he soon recognizes as the LORD and two angels. After reaffirming the promise of Isaac's birth, the LORD chooses to disclose His intentions regarding Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham, posing the rhetorical question, "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?" [Genesis 18:17](/genesis/18-17 "God reveals His plans to Abraham"). The statement in Genesis 18:20 provides the explicit divine justification for the impending judgment, setting the stage for Abraham's profound and earnest intercession for the cities, as detailed from [Genesis 18:23](/genesis/18-23 "Abraham's plea for Sodom") onward. This narrative sequence underscores the unique covenant relationship between God and Abraham, where God shares His purposes and allows for human intercession.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Sodom and Gomorrah were cities located in the fertile plain of the Jordan Valley, likely near the southern end of the Dead Sea, a region known for its prosperity before their destruction. In the ancient Near East, a "cry" (Hebrew: *zᵉʻâqâh*) often referred to an outcry of injustice, oppression, or distress from victims, appealing to a higher authority for intervention. However, in this context, the "cry" is attributed to the cities themselves, signifying the pervasive and public nature of their sin, which had become so egregious that it metaphorically ascended to the divine court, demanding a judicial response. The concept of divine judgment for widespread moral corruption was a recognized principle in ancient societies, often manifesting as natural disasters or military defeat, but here it is explicitly presented as a direct, righteous act of God.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 18:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, illustrating God's unwavering commitment to righteousness and His active governance over human affairs. It highlights the **Grievousness of Sin**, demonstrating that unrepentant and pervasive wickedness reaches a critical mass that necessitates divine intervention, as seen in earlier accounts like [the Flood narrative](/genesis/6-9 "The Flood and Noah's Ark"). The passage also powerfully showcases **God's Omniscience and Active Engagement** with humanity, dispelling any notion of a distant or unaware deity, as He is intimately acquainted with the state of human societies. Finally, it serves as a crucial **Precursor to Intercession**, emphasizing the profound privilege and responsibility of God's people to plead on behalf of others, even those facing divine wrath, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative, from Abraham's bold prayers to the prophetic intercessions found in books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah's Temple Sermon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 18:20 presents the LORD's direct and authoritative statement, initiating the narrative of judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah. The KJV text states: "And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;" This verse reveals God's active engagement with human morality and His commitment to justice.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cry (Hebrew, _zᵉʻâqâh'_):** From the root *zaʻaq*, meaning "to shriek or outcry," this term refers to a loud lament or appeal. In this context, it is a metaphorical personification of the cities' pervasive wickedness. The "cry" is not necessarily from victims but from the egregious and public nature of the sin itself, rising up to God as a profound offense and demanding a divine response. It signifies that the iniquity had become so blatant and widespread that it was "audible" in the divine realm, demanding God's attention and intervention.
* **sin (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** Derived from *chaṭâʼ*, meaning "to miss the mark," this word denotes an offense, a deviation from God's standard, and can also refer to the penalty for such an offense. Here, it signifies the collective moral corruption and habitual depravity of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. The use of this term emphasizes that their actions were not merely social transgressions but direct violations of divine law and holiness, accumulating to a state of profound guilt.
* **grievous (Hebrew, _kâbad'_):** This word, from the primitive root *kâbad*, means "to be heavy, burdensome, or severe." When combined with *mᵉʼôd* (H3966), meaning "very" or "exceedingly," it intensifies the meaning to "very grievous" or "exceedingly heavy." This signifies the profound depth, severity, and oppressive weight of the cities' iniquity. It implies that their sin was not isolated or minor, but widespread, deeply ingrained, and profoundly offensive to God's holiness, having reached a critical mass that necessitated immediate and decisive divine intervention. The "heaviness" of their sin was such that it could no longer be overlooked or tolerated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said":** This opening phrase establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the declaration. It signifies that the ensuing statement is not a rumor, a human judgment, or a mere observation, but a direct, authoritative pronouncement from YHWH Himself, highlighting His omniscience and sovereign will in governing the moral order of His creation.
* **"Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great":** This clause provides the first reason for God's impending action. The "cry" is a powerful anthropomorphic image, suggesting that the accumulated wickedness of these cities had become so pervasive and offensive that it metaphorically ascended to God's ears, demanding a response. The term "great" (Hebrew: *rab*) emphasizes the immense scale and magnitude of this "outcry," indicating that the sin was not confined to a few individuals but was characteristic of the entire societal fabric, pervasive and publicly manifest.
* **"and because their sin is very grievous":** This second clause reinforces and intensifies the justification for divine judgment. The "sin" (Hebrew: *chaṭṭâʼâh*) refers to the actual moral corruption and depravity. The descriptor "very grievous" (Hebrew: *mᵉʼôd kâbad*) underscores the extreme weight, severity, and profound offense of this sin against God's holiness. It implies that the iniquity had reached a point of no return, having become deeply ingrained, widespread, and utterly repugnant to divine standards, thereby necessitating a severe and decisive divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey the gravity of the situation. **Personification** is evident in "the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah," where the cities' collective wickedness is given a voice, metaphorically crying out to God. This vivid imagery emphasizes that the sin was not hidden but openly manifest and demanding attention. **Hyperbole** is used with "great" and "very grievous," intensifying the description of the sin's magnitude and severity, underscoring its profound offense to God. Furthermore, there is an element of **Anthropomorphism** in God "hearing" this cry, portraying God in human terms to make His active awareness and engagement with human affairs relatable, even though His knowledge is infinite and not dependent on auditory perception. These devices collectively highlight the pervasive, offensive, and undeniable nature of the cities' depravity, justifying the divine judgment that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 18:20 serves as a foundational text for understanding God's character as both righteous judge and compassionate sovereign. It unequivocally declares that God is not indifferent to human sin, particularly when it becomes pervasive and deeply ingrained within a society. The "cry" and "grievousness" of Sodom and Gomorrah's sin illustrate that there are moral limits to divine forbearance, and that persistent, unrepentant wickedness will ultimately provoke a just and decisive divine response. This passage underscores the principle that God's justice is not arbitrary but is a righteous reaction to profound moral corruption, establishing a precedent for understanding divine judgment throughout biblical history. It also highlights God's omniscience, demonstrating that no sin, however hidden or widespread, escapes His perfect knowledge.

* [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "God's perfect justice and faithfulness")
* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7-12 "God's omnipresence and omniscience")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The wages of sin is death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 18:20 offers a sobering and profound reflection on the nature of sin and divine justice, carrying significant implications for contemporary life. It reminds us that God is a holy and just God who sees, hears, and responds to all forms of sin, whether individual or societal. The narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah underscores that persistent, unrepentant, and pervasive wickedness inevitably leads to severe consequences, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to moral order and righteousness. For believers today, this passage serves as a powerful call to both personal holiness and communal responsibility. It challenges us to examine our own lives and the societies we inhabit, discerning areas where sin has become "great" and "grievous," and to respond with repentance, intercession, and a commitment to living out God's justice and righteousness in the world. It also offers comfort in knowing that God is perfectly aware of all injustice and suffering, and that His ultimate justice will prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of sin having a "cry" that reaches God impact your understanding of personal and societal wrongdoing?**
* **In what ways might our contemporary society exhibit "grievous" sin that demands a divine response?**
* **How should the knowledge of God's perfect justice and His response to Sodom and Gomorrah shape our prayers and actions for our communities?**
* **What is the balance between God's patience and His eventual judgment, as illustrated in this passage?**

### FAQ
**What does "the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah" signify?**

Answer: The "cry" (Hebrew: *zᵉʻâqâh*) is a powerful metaphorical expression signifying the extreme severity and pervasive nature of the cities' sin. It is not necessarily the literal cries of victims, but rather the "outcry" of the sin itself, which had become so public, rampant, and offensive that it metaphorically ascended to God's ears as a profound affront to His holiness and justice, demanding a divine response due to its overwhelming injustice and depravity. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern concept of a plea for justice reaching the divine court.

**Why does God declare His intentions to Abraham regarding Sodom and Gomorrah?**

Answer: God's decision to reveal His plans to Abraham, as stated in [Genesis 18:17](/genesis/18-17 "God's revelation to Abraham"), stems from their unique covenant relationship and Abraham's role as a prophet and "father of many nations." It demonstrates God's intimacy with His chosen servant, His desire to involve Abraham in His divine purposes, and His willingness to share His righteous judgments. This revelation also sets the stage for Abraham's subsequent intercession, highlighting God's justice, mercy, and the importance of prayerful advocacy before Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 18:20 speaks directly to God's righteous judgment against the egregious sin of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Old Testament, it powerfully foreshadows the universal reality of human sinfulness and the ultimate divine judgment, which finds its resolution and fulfillment in Christ. The "cry" and "grievousness" of Sodom's sin point to the pervasive nature of sin that afflicts all humanity, leading to a just condemnation. However, Christ stands as both the righteous judge who will one day execute final judgment upon all unrighteousness, as declared in [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son"), and the ultimate intercessor and deliverer. Unlike Abraham's limited intercession for Sodom, which ultimately failed to find enough righteous individuals, Christ's perfect and complete sacrifice on the cross offers full atonement for the "cry" and "grievousness" of sin for all who believe. Through His death and resurrection, Christ provides the only path to escape the righteous wrath of God, fulfilling the divine demand for justice through His own suffering, as highlighted in passages like [Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Christ's propitiation for sin") and [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ became sin for us"). He is the one through whom believers are reconciled to God, no longer subject to the "cry" of their sin, but covered by His perfect righteousness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 19:13

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.

Ezekiel 16:49

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

Ezekiel 16:50

And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw [good].

Isaiah 3:9

¶ The shew 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 rewarded evil unto themselves.

Genesis 4:10

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

Genesis 13:13

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

James 5:4

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.