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.

For we {H587} will destroy {H7843}{H853} this place {H4725}, because the cry of them {H6818} is waxen great {H1431} before {H854} the face {H6440} of the LORD {H3068}; and the LORD {H3068} hath sent {H7971} us to destroy {H7843} it.

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."

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.โ€

for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxed great before Jehovah; and Jehovah hath sent us to destroy it.

Commentary

Context of Genesis 19:13

Genesis 19:13 is spoken by two angels who have come to the city of Sodom, immediately after they have been rescued by Lot from the depraved men of the city. These divine messengers reveal the urgent and severe purpose of their visit: the complete destruction of Sodom. This verse serves as the culmination of the narrative established in the preceding chapter, where Abraham fervently interceded with the LORD for any righteous people within the city, even as few as ten. The angels' declaration confirms that no such number was found, sealing Sodom's fate due to its pervasive wickedness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The verse powerfully conveys the theme of God's holy and righteous judgment against unrepentant sin. The "cry" of Sodom's wickedness had reached a point where divine intervention was necessary, demonstrating that God does not indefinitely tolerate rampant evil. This serves as a stark reminder of God's historical judgment on cities like Sodom and Gomorrah.
  • God's Awareness of Sin: The phrase "the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD" emphasizes God's omniscient awareness. No sin, no matter how hidden, escapes His notice. The "cry" here is not an audible sound but the accumulated weight of injustice, perversion, and moral decay that ascends to God as an offense.
  • Divine Commission: The angels explicitly state, "the LORD hath sent us to destroy it." This highlights God's sovereignty and His active role in executing justice. The destruction is not a random act but a deliberate, divine commission carried out by His appointed agents.
  • Consequences of Persistent Wickedness: The verse underlines the severe consequences that await societies and individuals who persist in grave sin without repentance. Sodom's destruction became a perpetual warning against moral depravity and rebellion against God's standards.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cry" (ืฆึทืขึฒืงึธื” - tza'aqah) used here often denotes a cry of distress, oppression, or injustice. In this context, it signifies the overwhelming moral offense and spiritual corruption of Sodom that had accumulated to such a degree that it demanded divine action. It's not just a loud noise, but a moral outcry from the earth itself due to the inhabitants' actions. The phrase "before the face of the LORD" (ืœึดืคึฐื ึตื™ ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื” - lifnei Yahweh) underscores God's direct and personal attention to the matter, indicating that the wickedness was not merely observed but was a direct affront to His holy presence and character.

Practical Application

Genesis 19:13 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • God is Just: It reaffirms God's unchanging character as a just and holy God who will ultimately judge all unrighteousness. This should instill both reverence and a sober understanding of sin's gravity.
  • Sin Has Consequences: The story of Sodom serves as a powerful reminder that there are serious, sometimes catastrophic, consequences for persistent and unrepentant sin, both for individuals and societies.
  • Divine Patience Has Limits: While God is incredibly patient and merciful, there comes a point when His patience gives way to righteous judgment. This should encourage a timely response to God's warnings and a turning away from evil.
  • God Sees and Hears: The truth that "the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD" assures us that God is aware of all injustice and suffering, and He will ultimately bring about justice. This can be a source of comfort for the oppressed and a warning for those who cause harm.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 18:20 (7 votes)

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

  • Matthew 13:49 (4 votes)

    So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

  • Matthew 13:50 (4 votes)

    And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

  • Acts 12:23 (4 votes)

    And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

  • Jude 1:7 (4 votes)

    Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

  • Revelation 16:1 (4 votes)

    ยถ And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

  • Revelation 16:12 (4 votes)

    ยถ And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.