Genesis 18:20Yahweh said, "Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous,
The setting
Near Hebron, Israel, ~2000 BC. Abraham has just finished hosting three visitors. As they look toward Sodom, God reveals His intention to investigate the cities.
The emotion here: recording God's righteous anger with trembling reverence
The original word
za'aq (זַעֲקָה) — a desperate cry for help from victims of oppression
Why it matters
Archaeological evidence suggests Sodom was destroyed by a massive earthquake and fire around 2000 BC
Read with care
What most readers miss in Genesis 18:20
The 'cry' isn't just noise — it's the legal term for victims crying out for justice
Common misconceptionMost think this is about sexual sin only, but Ezekiel 16:49 reveals it was pride, excess, and neglect of the poor and needy.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Genesis 18:20
Bible Genome reading
Genesis 18:20 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Genesis 18:20 comes from the book of Genesis, written during the Patriarchal period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine justice, sin's consequences. Notable phrases: cry of Sodom and Gomorrah; sin is very grievous.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Genesis 18:20 mean to you, today?
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