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.

GENESIS 19:13KJV
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Genesis 19:13 (KJV)

What does Genesis 19:13 mean?

Genesis 19:13 records the angels telling Lot that they are about to destroy the city of Sodom because the outcry against its people has become so great before God that He has sent them to carry out judgment. The verse explains that the destruction is a direct response to the seriousness of the city’s wrongdoing, which has come to God’s attention.

In this scene, two angels are speaking to Lot inside his house in Sodom. They explain the reason for their mission: the city’s evil has reached a level that demands God’s intervention. The angels make it clear that they are acting on God’s orders, not their own, and that the destruction is both certain and imminent because of the people’s actions.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 19:13

  • The word "destroy" (שָׁחַת, shachat) is used twice in this verse, emphasizing the total and deliberate nature of what is about to happen. This word often means to ruin or lay waste, highlighting the seriousness of the judgment.
  • The word "cry" (צַעֲקָה, tza'aqah) refers to a loud outcry or plea for help, often used in the Hebrew Bible when injustice or suffering demands God’s attention. This suggests that the evil in Sodom has caused real harm, prompting a response from God.
  • The phrase "before the face of the LORD" (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lifnei YHWH) means that the wrongdoing is not hidden but is openly seen by God. This underscores the idea that nothing escapes God's notice and that His judgment is based on full awareness of the situation.

Why Genesis 19:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the coming destruction of Sodom is not arbitrary but is a response to persistent wrongdoing that has reached a critical point.
  • The explanation from the angels shows that God’s actions are deliberate and just, based on what has been brought before Him, rather than impulsive or unexplained.
  • Genesis 19:13 connects to the larger story by showing the seriousness of Sodom’s condition and why Lot and his family need to leave immediately, setting up the urgency of the following events.