Genesis 18:21

Translations

Modern

I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will find out.”

Traditional

I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

Literal

I will go down now and see whether the outcry against it that has come to Me they have done completely—and if not, I will know.”

Latin

Descendam, et videbo utrum clamorem qui venit ad me, opere compleverint; an non est ita, ut sciam.

Original

Hebrew

English

I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will find out.”

Notes

Genesis 18:20–21

God, who knows everything, was cautious in his judgment. He knew the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. This careful examination showed God's justice in a way humans could understand. He would not destroy the people unless he was certain they were wicked.

Genesis 18:16–33

God trusted Abraham as his prophet (18:16–21; see 20:7). In return, Abraham pleaded that God would save Sodom (18:23–32; see Hebrews 7:23–26). God can do anything he wants. This passage confirms it will be fair and right.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Symbolic Numbers The Dangers of Sin

Events

Sodom Destroyedc. 1897 BC

Related verses

Exodus 3:8
I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
Genesis 11:5
Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building.
Joshua 22:22
“The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today.
Luke 16:15
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.
Genesis 11:7
Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”
Zephaniah 1:12
And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men settled in complacency, who say to themselves, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’
Jeremiah 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
Exodus 33:5
For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.’”
Deuteronomy 13:3
…you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.
Psalm 139:1–24
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
Micah 1:3
For behold, the LORD comes forth from His dwelling place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.

Glossary

Abraham Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Hebron (Place) Mamre (Place) Patriarchs, Period of the Peter, Second Letter of Prayer Presence of God Sodom and Gomorrah

Topics

Anthropomorphisms: Miscellaneous Figures Communion: Abraham Condescension of God: Enters Into Covenant with Abraham God: Appearances of To Abraham God: Judge, and his Justice Sodom: Abraham's Intercession For

Genesis 18:21

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