King James Version

What Does Genesis 18:20 Mean?

Genesis 18:20 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 18:20 · KJV

Context

18

Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

19

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

20

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

21

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.

22

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

Read Genesis 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very gri... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Divine Visitation emerge from this passage?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 11

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה2 of 11

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

זַֽעֲקַ֛ת3 of 11

“Because the cry”

H2201

a shriek or outcry

סְדֹ֥ם4 of 11

“of Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וַֽעֲמֹרָ֖ה5 of 11

“and Gomorrah”

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

כִּי6 of 11
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רָ֑בָּה7 of 11

“is great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְחַ֨טָּאתָ֔ם8 of 11

“and because their sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

כִּ֥י9 of 11
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָֽבְדָ֖ה10 of 11

“grievous”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

מְאֹֽד׃11 of 11

“is very”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 18:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 18:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 19:13Ezekiel 16:49-50Isaiah 3:9Genesis 13:13Genesis 4:10James 5:4

Places in This Verse

GomorrahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E24 verses across 11 books
SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
View all places in Genesis 18 →

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