Genesis 13:13 kjv

But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Genesis 13:13 nkjv

But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.

Genesis 13:13 niv

Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.

Genesis 13:13 esv

Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.

Genesis 13:13 nlt

But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the LORD.

Genesis 13 verses

Genesis 13 13 Meaning

Genesis 13:13 serves as a pivotal theological comment immediately after Lot chooses to settle in the fertile Jordan plain, near Sodom. It reveals God's divine assessment of the inhabitants of Sodom, characterising them as "wicked" (רָעִים, ra'im) and in a continual state of "sinning greatly" (וְחַטָּאִים מְאֹד, v'chatta'im me'od) "against the Lord" (לַיהוָה, LaYahweh). This statement provides critical context for the narrative, revealing the moral danger hidden within a seemingly prosperous land and foreshadowing the inevitable divine judgment that would come upon Sodom. It emphasizes that their depravity was extreme and directly offensive to God.

Genesis 13 13 Context

Genesis 13 begins with Abram and Lot separating due to their extensive possessions, which their land could not support together. Lot, presented with the choice of land, lifts his eyes and sees the entire Jordan Valley (including the area around Sodom and Gomorrah) as "well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt" (Gen 13:10). This description highlights its visual appeal and agricultural richness. However, immediately after this optimistic description of Lot's choice, verse 13 interjects a stark, divine reality check. It interrupts the flow to reveal the spiritual hazard that Lot, in his worldly-wise decision, overlooked. The verse sets the stage for the dramatic judgment on Sodom detailed in Genesis 18 and 19, demonstrating that while material prosperity can be alluring, spiritual corruption leads to ultimate destruction.

Genesis 13 13 Word analysis

• But (וְ, ve-): This Hebrew conjunction acts as a disjunctive or adversative, effectively signalling a stark contrast. While Lot perceives the land as lush and appealing, this "but" introduces God's contrasting moral evaluation of its inhabitants. It highlights a critical discrepancy between human perception and divine reality.
• the men (אַנְשֵׁי, anshei): Literally, "the men of." This emphasizes the population as a whole, indicating that the depravity was pervasive among the adult male inhabitants of the city. It suggests a widespread cultural and societal moral breakdown, not merely isolated individuals.
• of Sodom (סְדֹם, Sedom): This city-state is presented not just geographically, but morally. It is destined to become a byword for extreme depravity and divine judgment throughout the Bible. Its name is synonymous with profound sin.
• were wicked (רָעִים, ra'im): From the root רָעַע (ra'a'), meaning "to be evil," "to break," "to harm." This is a strong descriptor of moral depravity and malevolence. It signifies a profound, active, and inherent corruption of character, rather than just isolated bad deeds. Their nature was fundamentally hostile to good.
• and were sinning (וְחַטָּאִים, v'chatta'im): From the root חָטָא (hata'), meaning "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to incur guilt." The participle form here indicates an ongoing, habitual, and continuous state of sin. It describes a persistent pattern of disobedience and rebellion against divine standards, not merely a single offense.
• against the Lord (לַיהוָה, LaYahweh): The Hebrew לַ (la-) signifies "to" or "against." This is crucial. It asserts that their wickedness and ongoing sin were not just a social or ethical problem among themselves but a direct, deliberate affront and rebellion against the sovereign God, Yahweh. It highlights the theological dimension of their sin, marking it as a breach of cosmic order and divine authority.
• greatly (מְאֹד, me'od): An adverb intensifying the preceding words. It means "very much," "exceedingly," "to a great degree." This underscores the extreme severity and magnitude of their wickedness and persistent sin. Their moral state was not merely "bad," but catastrophically so, reaching a peak of rebellion that warranted severe divine intervention.

Words-group Analysis:

• "But the men of Sodom": Establishes an immediate moral counterpoint to Lot's worldly choice, shifting the narrative focus from land value to the moral character of its inhabitants.
• "were wicked and were sinning": This pairing indicates both a corrupted moral character (wicked) and persistent sinful conduct (sinning). It describes an ingrained, habitual lifestyle of depravity rather than occasional failings, reflecting both who they were and what they continually did.
• "against the Lord greatly": This phrase defines the specific nature and severity of their sin. It elevates their transgressions beyond social impropriety to a direct rebellion against God's authority and holiness. The inclusion of "greatly" underscores the immense measure of their offense, implying a total rejection of divine righteousness that necessitated divine judgment.

Genesis 13 13 Bonus section

This verse highlights God's omniscience and righteous judgment. He sees beyond the superficial appearance of prosperity. It underscores a key biblical principle: outward beauty or material blessing does not necessarily equate to moral purity or divine favor. In contrast to Abram, who lived by faith and the promise of the land given by God (Gen 12:7), Lot made a decision based on sight and worldly advantage (Gen 13:10-11). This difference in spiritual perspective led to profoundly different outcomes, ultimately positioning Lot in direct proximity to gross evil and God's judgment. The Lord's statement about Sodom's inhabitants here preemptively justifies His later, severe actions. It's a testament to the fact that divine judgment is never arbitrary but is a measured response to profound and persistent unrighteousness that directly defies the Creator.

Genesis 13 13 Commentary

Genesis 13:13 is a powerful parenthetical statement that functions as a crucial theological commentary on Lot's choice and a foreshadowing of impending judgment. While Lot is captivated by the verdant, materially abundant plain of the Jordan, the Lord immediately provides the deeper, moral truth about the region: its inhabitants are utterly corrupt. The "men of Sodom" are described with a double emphasis on their moral condition: they are ra'im, "wicked" in their very character, and chatta'im, "sinning" habitually in their actions. This wasn't merely a private moral failing but an open, pervasive culture of rebellion.

Crucially, their sin is explicitly "against the Lord" (LaYahweh). This signifies that their wickedness transcended mere social disharmony; it was a direct affront to God's holy character and His established moral order. Even prior to the giving of the Mosaic Law, humanity was held accountable to a universal moral standard evident in creation and conscience (Rom 1:19-20). The addition of me'od "greatly" signifies the extreme degree of their spiritual perversion, implying a point of no return for their depravity, making divine judgment inevitable and just. This verse warns against prioritizing material prosperity over spiritual discernment and foreshadows the destructive consequences of unchecked human evil. It serves as a narrative marker, alerting the reader to the true nature of Lot's new environment and justifying the dramatic events of Genesis 19.

Example: Like choosing a house in a seemingly perfect neighborhood without checking the background of the residents. The house looks ideal (Jordan Valley), but the inhabitants (men of Sodom) are corrupt, making the location a spiritual danger despite its material benefits.