Genesis 19:13 kjv

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 19:13 nkjv

For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it."

Genesis 19:13 niv

because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it."

Genesis 19:13 esv

For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it."

Genesis 19:13 nlt

For we are about to destroy this city completely. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached the LORD, and he has sent us to destroy it."

Genesis 19 verses

Genesis 19 13 Meaning

Genesis 19:13 reveals the divine mandate for the destruction of Sodom. The two angels, acting as agents of God, unequivocally state their purpose: to demolish the city. This catastrophic judgment is not arbitrary but directly linked to the overwhelming wickedness of its inhabitants, which is described as a "great outcry" rising up to God. The verse explicitly affirms that this action is decreed and sent by the Lord Himself, emphasizing His supreme authority and unwavering commitment to justice in response to severe moral corruption.

Genesis 19 13 Context

Genesis 19:13 occurs at a critical juncture in the narrative of Sodom's judgment. Chapters 18 and 19 detail the increasing severity of the city's depravity and God's response. In chapter 18, God first discusses the "outcry" (tza'aqah) against Sodom and Gomorrah with Abraham, affirming His intent to "go down and see" if their actions warrant such a cry. This implies a period of divine forbearance and investigation. Chapter 19 then transitions to the arrival of two angels in Sodom, confirming the reality of the pervasive evil. Lot's encounter with the hostile and sexually aggressive men of Sodom, who demand to "know" the visitors, serves as the definitive proof of the city's gross depravity. Following this harrowing encounter, the angels deliver the verdict directly to Lot and his family, revealing that the "outcry" has been definitively confirmed, and their mission from the Lord is now one of active destruction. The immediate context of verse 13 is the angels' instruction to Lot to gather his family and depart before the imminent devastation. This historical context emphasizes God's justice against widespread and unrepentant moral corruption, showcasing His role as the sovereign judge over human society.

Genesis 19 13 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, ki): A conjunctive particle often translated as "for," "because," or "that." Here, it introduces the reason or explanation for the angels' command to Lot, linking the impending destruction directly to the city's moral state. It indicates divine certainty and justification.

• we (נַחְנוּ, nachnu): This plural pronoun emphasizes the collective angelic agency. While it refers to the angels present, it highlights that they are unified in their mission and are direct representatives carrying out God's will. Their actions are divinely sanctioned and executed.

• will destroy (מַשְׁחִתִים, mashkhitim): This is a Hiphil participle, indicating an active, causative action. It implies a firm intention and an immediate, irreversible execution of ruin. The Hebrew term (shachat) encompasses concepts of marring, corrupting, ruining, or completely obliterating, often used for physical destruction but also moral corruption (e.g., of the earth in Gen 6:11-12). It underscores the comprehensive and terminal nature of the coming judgment.

• this place (הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה, ha-makom ha-zeh): Refers specifically to Sodom, the immediate geographical locus of profound sin and divine judgment. The definitive article ("the") coupled with "this" draws immediate attention to the known area. It particularizes the scope of judgment.

• because (כִּי, ki): Similar to the initial "for," this second "because" further emphasizes the causative link. It explains why the destruction is decreed: the specific offense has been verified.

• the outcry (צַעֲקָתָם, tza'akatam): The Hebrew word (tza'aqah) primarily means "a cry" or "a shout," often associated with distress, anguish, or injustice calling for help (e.g., Exo 3:7, Jas 5:4). In the context of Sodom, as discussed in Gen 18:20-21, it signifies the overwhelming, collective wickedness and the inherent perversion of justice and righteousness within the city. It's the "cry" of their sin itself rising up to God, rather than a cry from victims, signaling that the extent of evil itself necessitates divine intervention and has reached a culmination that cannot be ignored.

• against them (אֲלֵיהֶם, aleihem): Specifies that the "outcry" is directed at, or results from, the inhabitants of Sodom. This reinforces their direct culpability for the situation that provoked God's judgment.

• has grown great (גָּדְלָה, gadlah): From the verb gadal, meaning "to be great," "to become large," "to grow strong." Here, it signifies the accumulated magnitude, severity, and widespread nature of Sodom's sin. It reached its "full measure" (cf. Gen 15:16, where the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet complete). This suggests divine patience was exhausted.

• before the Lord (אֶת־פְּנֵי יְהוָה, et-penei Yahweh): Literally "before the face of Yahweh." This phrase underscores God's direct and immediate knowledge of Sodom's state. It implies full visibility, no concealment possible from the sovereign Judge. It conveys His active awareness and that the sin directly offended His holiness.

• and the Lord (וַיהוָה, wa Yahweh): "And the Lord," specifically using the covenant name of God (Yahweh), emphasizing His personal and relational authority even in judgment. This is not some arbitrary force but the righteous, covenant-keeping God of Abraham initiating the action.

• has sent us (שְׁלָחָנוּ, shelachanu): From the verb shalach, meaning "to send" or "to dispatch." This verb highlights the angels' delegated authority and that their mission is not self-initiated but explicitly commanded by the Lord. They are instruments of His divine will.

• to destroy it (לְהַשְׁחִיתָהּ, lehashkhitah): The infinitive form of shachat (destroy), echoing the earlier "will destroy." This reiteration stresses the definitive and unalterable purpose of the angels' visit. It confirms the outcome: total eradication.

Genesis 19 13 Bonus section

The anthropomorphic language of the "outcry" rising "before the Lord" is not literal but portrays God's perfect awareness and the profound nature of Sodom's sin as actively assaulting His holiness and justice. It signifies that the collective wickedness had become a grievous affront, actively demanding a divine response. This idea of sin itself "crying out" against humanity foreshadows the later principle where injustice or innocent blood also "cries out" from the ground (Gen 4:10, Jas 5:4). The fact that Yahweh sends angels underscores the divine administrative structure – God utilizes His heavenly host to carry out His decrees, both in grace and judgment. It’s not just an impersonal force, but the deliberate, commanded action of God through His emissaries.

Genesis 19 13 Commentary

Genesis 19:13 encapsulates the climactic verdict and divine rationale for the annihilation of Sodom. The angels, acting with undeniable authority, pronounce a judgment that is not impulsive but thoroughly warranted. The core justification lies in the "outcry" that has become "great before the Lord." This "outcry" (Hebrew: tza'akah) represents not merely a complaint but the immense spiritual and moral pollution emanating from the city's depraved actions, an echo of humanity's sin that filled the earth before the Great Flood (Gen 6:11-13). God, as the righteous Judge, cannot ignore such egregious sin.

The repeated use of "destroy" emphasizes the finality and totality of the impending judgment. It signifies a divine removal of rampant wickedness, not out of malice, but out of absolute holiness and justice. The mention of "the Lord has sent us" directly attributes the mission to God, showcasing His active involvement in human affairs and His delegation of authority to heavenly agents. This verse serves as a sober warning throughout Scripture about the consequences of persistent, unrepentant wickedness and societal degradation (e.g., Eze 16:49-50, Jude 1:7). It reminds us that divine patience has a limit and that unchecked sin will ultimately invite severe divine retribution.

Practically, this verse reminds believers:

1. God Sees and Hears: No sin, individual or societal, is hidden from His sight.
2. Justice is Inescapable: Though delayed, God's judgment for sin is certain when wickedness reaches its full measure.
3. Holiness Demands Response: God's perfect character necessitates action against profound evil.
4. Moral Decay's Price: Societal degradation and perversion invite divine reckoning.