20
Then YHWHוַ יְהוָהsaid,יֹּאמֶר“The outcryזַעֲקַתof Sodomסְדֹםand Gomorrahוַעֲמֹרָהis indeed great,כִּי רָבָּהand their sinוְחַטָּאתָםis indeedכִּיvery grave.כָבְדָה מְאֹד
Genesis 18:20
Study it in the app“Then YHWH said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is indeed very grave.”
With the Hebrew beneath
Genesis 18:20, word by word
- Then YHWHיְהוָהyehva
YHWH
The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.
Where else “yehva” appears- saidיֹּאמֶרyomer
say
To say with the mouth to someone what one thinks or wants, or to answer him.
Where else “yomer” appears- “The outcryזַעֲקַתzaakat
outcry
Cry, outcry: the cry of someone who suffers injustice and calls for help.
Where else “zaakat” appears- of Sodomסְדֹםsedom
Sodom
See it on the mapWhere else “sedom” appears- and Gomorrahעֲמֹרָהamora
Gomorrah
See it on the mapWhere else “amora” appears- is indeed greatרָבָּהraba
great
Of great size or power; the one who stands out.
Where else “raba” appears- and their sinחַטָּאתָchatata
sin
Failing God, not doing what he asks.
Where else “chatata” appears- very graveכָבְדָהchavda
be heavy
To weigh much, like a burden.
Where else “chavda” appears- very graveמְאֹדmeod
very
To a very high degree: the word that adds force to what is said.
Where else “meod” appears
Places in this verse
1Sodom ?
Today: disputed; perhaps south or northeast of the Dead Sea
A city of the Jordan plain; its site is not known for certain, perhaps near the Dead Sea.
Its people were very wicked (Gen 13:13). God destroyed it with fire, and saved Lot (Gen 19:24-25).
2Gomorrah ?
Today: disputed; near the Dead Sea
A city of the Jordan plain, next to Sodom; its site is not known for certain.
God destroyed it together with Sodom for its great sin (Gen 18:20; 19:24).
The context
19For I have known him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of YHWH by doing righteousness and justice, so that YHWH may bring upon Abraham what he has spoken about him.”
20 · This verse (above)
21Let me go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to its outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.”
To study Genesis 18 in a group
1. What it says
What did Abraham do when he saw the three men, and what did they announce about Sarah (vv. 2-10)?
2. What it means
What does the question “Is anything too difficult for YHWH?” teach (v. 14)?
3. How I live it
Whom can you welcome this week to your home or table with Abraham’s generosity?