Genesis 18:21

KJV

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)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 18:21 records the Lord's profound declaration to Abraham, stating His intention to personally "go down" and thoroughly "see" whether the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah has indeed reached the full extent indicated by the "cry" that has ascended to Him. This statement, while employing anthropomorphic language, powerfully underscores God's perfect justice, His deliberate and meticulous approach to assessing human actions, and His active, personal engagement in the affairs of humanity, ensuring that His judgments are always founded on complete knowledge and righteous verification rather than mere accusation or incomplete information.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the broader narrative of [Genesis 18](/genesis/18 "Genesis 18 - Abraham's Hospitality and God's Revelation"), following the Lord's direct revelation to Abraham concerning the impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. In [Genesis 18:20](/genesis/18-20 "The great cry of Sodom and Gomorrah"), the Lord explicitly states, "The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is very grievous." Verse 21, therefore, serves as the divine response to this "cry," setting the stage for Abraham's remarkable intercession that immediately follows in [Genesis 18:22-33](/genesis/18-22-33 "Abraham's Intercession for Sodom"). The Lord's announced "descent" and "investigation" highlight His meticulous justice, preparing the reader for the detailed account of Sodom's destruction in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"), which ultimately confirms the findings of this divine inquiry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a "cry" or "outcry" (often from the oppressed or victims of injustice) was understood as a legitimate appeal to a higher authority for intervention. This concept is deeply embedded in biblical thought, seen elsewhere in the "cry" of Abel's blood from the ground in [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Cain's punishment for Abel's murder") or the "cry" of the Israelites under Egyptian bondage reaching God's ears in [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "God hears the cry of His people"). The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were situated in the fertile plain of the Jordan, likely near the southern end of the Dead Sea. They are consistently portrayed in biblical tradition as epitomes of profound moral depravity and rebellion against God, particularly known for their sexual perversion and lack of hospitality, as elaborated in [Ezekiel 16:49-50](/ezekiel/16-49-50 "The sins of Sodom and Samaria"). God's declaration to "go down" and "see" would have resonated with the ancient understanding of a righteous king or judge personally investigating a serious complaint before rendering a verdict.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 18:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice**, demonstrating that God's judgments are not arbitrary but are based on thorough investigation and verifiable truth. Secondly, it highlights the **Gravity of Sin**, portraying sin as a powerful force that can generate an "outcry" so severe it demands divine intervention. Thirdly, the verse exemplifies **God's Active Engagement** with humanity; despite His transcendence, God is depicted as personally involved in the moral affairs of the world, not merely observing from a distance. Finally, the anthropomorphic language used (God "going down," "seeing," "knowing") reinforces the theme of **Divine Revelation and Relatability**, making God's character and actions comprehensible to human understanding without diminishing His omnipotence or omniscience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
In [Genesis 18:21](/genesis/18-21 "God's investigation of Sodom and Gomorrah"), the Lord declares, "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 reveals God's meticulous and just process before executing judgment.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Go down (Hebrew, _yârad'_):** This primitive root signifies "to descend" or "to go downwards." In this context, it is an **anthropomorphism**, attributing a physical action to God. It does not imply a literal movement for an omnipresent God, but rather emphasizes His personal, direct, and deliberate engagement in the situation. It conveys the idea of God drawing near, focusing His attention, and intervening directly in human affairs, demonstrating a profound level of concern and active involvement.
* **See (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** This primitive root means "to see," both literally and figuratively. Here, it denotes more than mere observation; it implies a thorough investigation, discernment, and verification. For God, who is omniscient, "to see" is to ascertain with absolute certainty and to comprehend fully. It assures Abraham, and us, that God's judgment is based on irrefutable evidence and perfect understanding, not on incomplete information or hearsay.
* **Cry (Hebrew, _tsaʻăqâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to shriek," this word refers to a vehement outcry or a loud lament. It is often associated with distress, oppression, or grievous wrongdoing that demands divine attention and intervention. In the context of Sodom and Gomorrah, it represents the accumulated weight of their profound moral corruption, injustice, and suffering caused by their sin, which has ascended to God's presence and demands a response.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will go down now":** This phrase signifies God's personal and immediate intention to intervene. The use of "go down" is an anthropomorphism, illustrating God's deliberate and purposeful action to engage directly with the situation on earth. It conveys a sense of divine resolve and the seriousness with which God approaches the matter of sin and justice.
* **"and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it":** This clause emphasizes the investigative nature of God's action. God is not acting on mere report but is personally verifying the extent and nature of the wickedness. The word "altogether" (Hebrew, *kâlâh*) suggests a complete fulfillment or consummation of the sin, indicating that the depravity of the cities had reached its full measure, leaving no room for doubt or partial judgment. The "cry of it" refers to the vehement outcry against their profound and grievous sin, which has reached God's ears.
* **"which is come unto me; and if not, I will know":** This final part of the verse reinforces God's omniscience and perfect justice. The "cry" has already reached Him, signifying His awareness of the situation. The phrase "and if not, I will know" is a powerful affirmation of God's absolute certainty. It means that regardless of what He "sees," He will possess complete and perfect knowledge of the truth. This ensures that any subsequent divine action, particularly judgment, will be perfectly informed, righteous, and warranted.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Genesis 18:21](/genesis/18-21 "God's investigation of Sodom and Gomorrah") is **Anthropomorphism**. God, who is Spirit and omnipresent, is depicted as "going down," "seeing," and "knowing" in a manner akin to human investigation. This is not to suggest any limitation in God's omniscience or omnipresence, but rather to make His divine attributes and actions comprehensible to human understanding. It emphasizes the **Divine Deliberation** and thoroughness of His justice, assuring Abraham—and all readers—that God's judgments are never rash or based on incomplete information. The sequential nature of "go down," "see," and "know" also functions as a form of **Dramatic Irony** or **Foreshadowing**, building anticipation for the impending judgment in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah") while simultaneously highlighting the absolute certainty and righteousness of that judgment. The "cry" itself can be seen as a form of **Personification**, as the collective wickedness and suffering of the cities are given a voice that ascends to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 18:21 profoundly illustrates God's character as a righteous and just judge. His declaration to "go down," "see," and "know" before acting highlights that divine judgment is neither arbitrary nor impulsive. Instead, it is a deliberate, thorough, and perfectly informed process, ensuring that every action God takes is founded on complete knowledge and absolute righteousness. This provides immense comfort to those who suffer injustice, knowing that their "cry" reaches a God who truly "sees" and "knows" and will act in perfect justice. Conversely, it serves as a solemn warning to those who persist in sin, reminding them that their actions do not escape God's notice and that a day of reckoning, based on His perfect knowledge, will surely come.

* [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "God hears the cry of His people"): "And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows."
* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7-12 "God's Omnipresence and Omniscience"): "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there... Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."
* [Romans 2:2](/romans/2-2 "God's righteous judgment"): "But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 18:21 offers enduring truths that speak directly to the human condition and our understanding of God. It assures us that God is not a distant, disengaged deity, but one who is intimately aware of the world's injustices and the cries of the oppressed. This divine thoroughness should instill both comfort and conviction. For those who feel unheard or wronged, this verse reminds us that our "cry" reaches the ears of a God who will personally "go down" and "know" the truth of our suffering. For those who might be tempted to hide their sins or believe their actions go unnoticed, it serves as a powerful reminder that God's perfect knowledge leaves nothing hidden. This truth compels us to live with integrity, to pursue justice for others, and to repent of our own sins, knowing that God's patience is a prelude to His righteous and perfectly informed judgment. It calls us to align our lives with His just character, trusting in His ultimate sovereignty over all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the anthropomorphic language of God "going down," "seeing," and "knowing" deepen your understanding of His character, rather than limit it?**
* **What "cries" of injustice or suffering in the world today do you believe are ascending to God, and how might this verse call you to respond?**
* **In what ways does the certainty of God's thorough investigation and perfect knowledge impact your daily walk and decisions?**

### FAQ
**Why does an omniscient God say, "I will go down now, and see"?**

Answer: This statement is a profound example of **anthropomorphism**, a literary device where human characteristics, actions, or emotions are attributed to God to make divine truths more comprehensible to human understanding. It does not imply any limitation in God's omniscience or omnipresence; God already knows everything. Instead, it emphasizes the certainty, deliberateness, and just nature of His impending investigation and judgment. By depicting Himself as "going down" to "see," God assures Abraham—and all humanity—that His actions are based on perfect knowledge, thorough verification, and righteous discernment, rather than on hearsay, incomplete information, or impulsive reaction. It underscores His personal engagement and the irrefutable basis for His subsequent judgment, as seen in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah").

**What does "the cry of it" signify in this context?**

Answer: "The cry of it" refers to the profound and grievous nature of the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Hebrew word *tsaʻăqâh* (צַעֲקָה) denotes a vehement outcry, often associated with deep distress, oppression, or severe wrongdoing that demands divine attention and intervention. It signifies that the wickedness of these cities was so flagrant, pervasive, and offensive that it ascended to God's presence, compelling Him to act. It represents the accumulated weight of their iniquity and its devastating impact on the earth and its inhabitants, reaching a point where it elicited a divine response, as also seen in the "cry" of the oppressed in [Exodus 2:23-24](/exodus/2-23-24 "God hears the cry of the Israelites").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 18:21, with its depiction of God's perfect justice and thorough investigation of sin, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While God declares His intention to "go down" and "see" the full extent of sin's corruption in Sodom, Christ is the very embodiment of God's righteous judgment and His merciful intervention. He is the one who perfectly "knows" the depths of human sin, having taken on human flesh and experienced its temptations, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Jesus, our High Priest")). Furthermore, where Abraham intercedes for the unrighteous in [Genesis 18:22-33](/genesis/18-22-33 "Abraham's Intercession for Sodom"), Christ is the perfect intercessor, whose sacrifice on the cross fully satisfied the "cry" of justice against humanity's sin, bearing the judgment that was due ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ became sin for us")). Through Him, God's perfect knowledge of sin is met with perfect atonement, offering a path to salvation rather than destruction for all who believe, demonstrating that God's ultimate "going down" was not for judgment, but for redemption through His Son ([John 3:16-17](/john/3-16-17 "God so loved the world")).

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

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.