Genesis 18:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 18:20 mean?

Genesis 18:20 records the LORD saying that the outcry about Sodom and Gomorrah is very great and that their sin is extremely serious. This statement sets the stage for God’s attention to the situation in those cities, highlighting both the severity of the wrongdoing and the urgent cries that have reached Him.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is speaking, likely to Abraham, as part of a conversation before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The verse emphasizes that the cities’ sins are not only numerous but also deeply troubling, and that the suffering or injustice there has prompted a response from God. This moment introduces the idea that God is aware of human suffering and injustice and will investigate and respond.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 18:20

• "cry" (זְעָקָה, ze‘aqah): This word often refers to a loud outcry or plea for help, especially from those who are suffering or oppressed. Its use here suggests that the wrongdoing in Sodom and Gomorrah has caused real harm, prompting desperate appeals that reach God.
• "very" (מְאֹד, me’od): This word intensifies the seriousness of the sin, indicating that it is not just bad, but exceedingly so. The verse is stressing the extreme nature of what is happening in these cities.
• "grievous" (כָּבֵד, kaved): This word can mean "heavy" or "weighty," and here it describes the sin as something burdensome or severe. It conveys the idea that the wrongdoing is not trivial but has significant moral weight.

Why Genesis 18:20 matters

• Genesis 18:20 clarifies that God is not indifferent to human suffering or injustice; the "cry" reaching Him shows that God hears and responds to those who are wronged.
• The verse sets up the context for the coming judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, making it clear that the decision is not arbitrary but a response to persistent and serious wrongdoing.
• By emphasizing both the magnitude ("great") and the seriousness ("very grievous") of the sin, the verse helps readers understand why the following events unfold as they do, connecting God’s actions to the moral reality on the ground.