Genesis 18:20

And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

Genesis 18:20 (KJV)

Context

This verse appears in the story of Abraham’s meeting with three visitors near the Oaks of Mamre. These visitors are angels of the Lord, and they have just told Abraham that Sarah will bear a son. Now the Lord reveals why He has come to this region.

Meaning

The Lord says that the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great. In the Hebrew text, the word for cry (ze’aqah) often describes the outcry of people who suffer oppression or injustice. Here, the cry rises against the cities because their sin is very grievous. The Hebrew word for grievous (kaved) means heavy or weighty. Their wickedness has become so heavy that it demands God’s attention and response. This is not a small matter; it is a legal accusation that calls for the Judge of all the earth to act.

Biblical connections

This cry is similar to the cry of the Israelites in Egypt, which God heard and answered (Exodus 3:7). In both cases, God hears the outcry and acts. The verse also prepares for the events that follow: God says He will go down to see whether the cities have done according to the cry (Genesis 18:21), showing His fairness in investigating before judging. He does not act hastily but verifies the truth first.

Application

God is not indifferent to sin or suffering. He hears the cries of those who are wronged, and He also sees hidden wickedness. This warns us that persistent, unrepentant sin cannot escape His notice. It also comforts us that God will bring justice in His time. The same God who heard the cry of the oppressed in Egypt hears the cries of the oppressed today.

Reflection

This verse calls us to examine our own lives. Are we contributing to the cry of injustice, or are we living righteously? It also reminds us that God is both just and merciful, as seen in Abraham’s later intercession for the righteous in Sodom. God’s justice is careful, and His mercy is open to those who seek Him.