Genesis 19:13for we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before Yahweh that Yahweh has sent us to destroy it."
The setting
Sodom, Jordan Valley, ~2000 BC. Dawn approaching. Angels reveal their true mission to destroy the city. Modern location: Dead Sea region, Jordan/Israel border.
The emotion here: trembling while recording the moment divine patience reached its limit
The original word
za'aqah (זַעֲקָה) — a cry of distress from victims that reaches heaven and demands action
Why it matters
Archaeological evidence suggests the Dead Sea cities were destroyed by a massive seismic event around 2000 BC
Read with care
What most readers miss in Genesis 19:13
The 'outcry' wasn't general wickedness but specific cries of victims — God responds to the oppressed calling for justice
Common misconceptionMost think God destroyed Sodom for general immorality, but the Hebrew 'za'aqah' specifically refers to victims crying out for justice — God acted because the innocent were being harmed.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Genesis 19:13
Bible Genome reading
Genesis 19:13 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Genesis 19:13 comes from the book of Genesis, written during the Patriarchal period. These words are attributed to Angels. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include judgment, divine justice. Notable phrases: we will destroy this place; outcry against them. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Genesis 19:13 mean to you, today?
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