TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
because we are going to destroy it. ADONAI has become aware of the great outcry against them, and ADONAI has sent us to destroy it."
Berean Standard Bible
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.”
American Standard Version
for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxed great before Jehovah; and Jehovah hath sent us to destroy it.
World English Bible Messianic
for we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the LORD that the LORD has sent us to destroy it.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
For we will destroy this place, because the crye of them is great before the Lord, and the Lord hath sent vs to destroy it.
Young's Literal Translation
for we are destroying this place, for their cry hath been great before the face of Jehovah, and Jehovah doth send us to destroy it.'
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In the KJVVerse 471 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Genesis 19 verses 12–14
12 ¶ And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
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.
14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
We have here the preparation for Lot's deliverance.
I. Notice is given him of the approach of Sodom's ruin: We will destroy this place, Gen 19:13. Note, The holy angels are ministers of God's wrath for the destruction of sinners, as well as of his mercy for the preservation and deliverance of his people. In this sense, the good angels become evil angels, Psa 78:49.
II. He is directed to give notice to his friends and relations, that they, it they would, might be saved with him (Gen 19:12): "Hast thou here any besides, that thou art concerned for? If thou hast, go tell them what is coming." Now this implies, 1. The command of a great duty, which was to do all he could for the salvation of those about him, to snatch them as brands out of the fire. Note, Those who through grace are themselves delivered out of a sinful state should do what they can for the deliverance of others, especially their relations. 2. The offer of great favour. They do not ask whether he knew any righteous ones in the city fit to be spared: no, they knew there were none; but they ask what relations he had there, that, whether righteous or unrighteous, they might be saved with him. Note, Bad people often fare the better in this world for the sake of their good relations. It is good being akin to a godly man.
III. He applies himself accordingly to his sons-in-law, Gen 19:14. Observe, 1. The fair warning that Lot gave them: Up, get you out of this place. The manner of expression is startling and quickening. It was no time to trifle when the destruction was just at the door. They had not forty days to repent in, as the Ninevites had. Now or never they must make their escape. At midnight this cry was made. Such as this is our call to the unconverted, to turn and live. 2. The slight they put upon this warning: He seemed to them as one that mocked. They thought, perhaps, that the assault which the Sodomites had just now made upon his house had disturbed his head, and put him into such a fright that he knew not what he said; or they thought that he was not in earnest with them. Those who lived a merry life, and made a jest of everything, made a jest of this warning, and so they perished in the overthrow. Thus many who are warned of the misery and danger they are in by sin make a light matter of it, and think their ministers do but jest with them; such will perish with their blood upon their own heads.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–14. Public domain.
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Salvian the PresbyterAD 500
THE GOVERNANCE OF GOD 4.9
However, how do we account for the fact that the Savior himself has brought to mind that all who spurned the gospel were worse? Finally to Capernaum he said, “If in Sodom had been wrought the miracles that had been wrought in you, perhaps it would have remained unto this day. But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” If he says the people of Sodom are less worthy of damnation than all those who neglect the Gospels, then it is most certainly reasonable that we, who neglect the Gospels in most things, should have all the more fear. This is especially so because we are unwilling to be content with sins to which we are already long accustomed and, as it were, on daily familiarity.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 19:13 marks the climactic declaration by two angelic messengers of God's unyielding and imminent judgment upon the city of Sodom. This pronouncement reveals that the pervasive and egregious wickedness of its inhabitants had reached an intolerable threshold, prompting a divine commission for the city's complete and irreversible destruction, thereby sealing its fate after Abraham's fervent but ultimately unfulfilled intercession.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 19:13 employs several potent Literary Devices to convey its message. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, seen in the phrase "the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD." While God does not literally have a "face" or "ears" to hear a "cry," this imagery vividly conveys His intimate awareness and direct attention to the profound wickedness of Sodom. It emphasizes that the city's sin was not merely observed but was a direct and personal affront to His holy presence, demanding a response. Furthermore, the "cry" itself functions as a form of Personification, where the collective sin and injustice of Sodom are given a voice, metaphorically crying out for judgment. The angels' declaration, "we will destroy this place," also demonstrates Divine Commission, highlighting that they are not acting on their own accord but as direct agents of God's sovereign will, emphasizing the divine origin and authority behind the impending destruction. The entire verse serves as a powerful instance of Foreshadowing, setting the stage for the dramatic and devastating judgment that immediately follows, reinforcing the theme of divine retribution for unrepentant sin.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 19:13 stands as a profound theological statement, powerfully conveying God's unyielding commitment to justice and His active opposition to pervasive evil. It reveals that while God is infinitely patient and merciful, there is a limit to His tolerance for unrepentant sin, beyond which His righteous judgment is inevitable. The "cry" of Sodom's iniquity reaching "before the face of the LORD" underscores God's perfect omniscience and His intimate awareness of all human actions, whether public or hidden. This verse also highlights God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that He is not a passive observer but an active participant in human history, willing and able to intervene decisively to uphold His moral order. The destruction of Sodom serves as a timeless warning, illustrating the severe consequences that await individuals and societies that persist in grave sin, emphasizing the necessity of repentance and alignment with divine standards.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 19:13 offers profound and sobering lessons for believers today, primarily affirming God's unchanging character as a just, holy, and sovereign God who will ultimately judge all unrighteousness. This truth should instill both a deep reverence for God and a sober understanding of sin's gravity, reminding us that persistent and unrepentant sin, whether individual or societal, carries serious and often catastrophic consequences. While God is incredibly patient and merciful, as demonstrated by Abraham's intercession, there comes a point when His patience gives way to righteous judgment. This urges a timely response to His warnings, a turning away from evil, and a pursuit of righteousness. Furthermore, the assurance that "the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD" reminds us that God is intimately aware of all injustice, oppression, and suffering in the world. This provides immense comfort for the oppressed, knowing that their cries do not go unheard, and serves as a powerful warning for those who perpetrate harm, as God will ultimately bring about perfect justice in His time. It calls us to live lives that reflect God's holiness, advocate for justice, and share the message of repentance and salvation before the day of judgment arrives.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God destroy Sodom?
Answer: God destroyed Sodom because its wickedness had become exceedingly great and pervasive, reaching a point where it was an intolerable affront to His holy character and justice. The "cry" of their sin, encompassing profound moral depravity, social injustice, arrogance, and sexual perversion (as evidenced by the attempted assault on the angels in Genesis 19:4-9), had "waxen great before the face of the LORD." This signifies that the city's iniquity had reached its full measure, necessitating divine intervention and judgment as a demonstration of God's righteousness and His commitment to upholding moral order.
What does "the cry of them is waxen great" mean?
Answer: This phrase does not refer to an audible sound of distress from the victims of Sodom, but rather to the accumulated weight and intensity of the city's moral corruption and sin. It signifies that the wickedness had reached such an extreme level that it metaphorically ascended to God, demanding His attention and righteous judgment. The Hebrew word for "cry" (tsaʻăqâh) often denotes a cry for justice or redress, and here it represents the pervasive evil that had saturated the city, becoming an offense that "magnified" itself before God. It highlights God's perfect knowledge of human sin and His active response to profound moral decay, as seen in other biblical accounts of divine judgment (e.g., Jonah 1:2).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 19:13 speaks of God's righteous judgment against sin, executed through angelic agents, it ultimately points to Christ as the ultimate Judge and, more profoundly, as the sole means of escape from divine wrath. Jesus Himself referenced the destruction of Sodom as a solemn warning of future judgment, comparing it to the sudden and decisive nature of His second coming, as recorded in Luke 17:28-30. Just as Lot and his family were offered a way of escape from Sodom's impending destruction, Christ offers salvation and refuge from the coming judgment for all who believe in Him. He is the righteous One whose perfect life and atoning sacrifice on the cross (Romans 5:8) provide the only way to avoid the just consequences of wickedness that Sodom experienced. Through His shed blood, He takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), offering mercy and eternal life where only judgment was due, fulfilling God's ultimate plan for justice and redemption. The judgment upon Sodom, therefore, foreshadows the ultimate judgment to come, while simultaneously magnifying the grace and salvation offered uniquely through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.