Genesis 13:13
Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Genesis 13:13
Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "sinners against the LORD" implies their wickedness wasn't just against humanity, but a direct affront to God Himself, highlighting the audacity and public nature of their depravity. This detail underscores that their sin was not a private failing but a defiant act against divine authority, which ultimately invited divine judgment.
After a dispute between their shepherds over pasture land, Abram generously allows Lot to choose his dwelling place first. Lot surveys the lush Jordan plain, which was then well-watered and fertile, and pitches his tent towards Sodom, a city whose inhabitants are described as extremely wicked and sinful against the Lord. This choice sets the stage for Lot's eventual troubles and God's judgment on the region.
The Bible doesn't mince words about the people of Sodom. But what does it mean for them to be 'exceedingly wicked' and 'sinners against the LORD'?
The description of the men of Sodom as "wicked" and "great sinners against the LORD" goes beyond mere moral failings. It speaks to a deep-seated rebellion and a deliberate turning away from God.
A Radical Rebellion
The original Hebrew words used here paint a vivid picture. "Wicked" suggests a perversion of what is right, like breaking apart order and justice. "Sinners" points to missing the mark, fundamentally failing to live according to God's design.
Open Defiance
Being "sinners against the LORD" isn't just about private mistakes. Commentaries suggest it implies an open, impudent defiance of God's authority. They sinned "before the Lord," meaning their actions were done in His sight, without shame or fear. This wasn't a hidden sin; it was a public declaration of rebellion.
A Foundation of Evil
This deep-seated wickedness meant their very affections and passions were disordered. They sought happiness in worldly pursuits and sensual gratifications, ultimately leading to ruin. Their sin wasn't superficial; it was radical and pervasive.
Lot chose the fertile plains near Sodom. Was this a practical decision, or did it reveal something deeper about his heart?
Lot's decision to pitch his tent toward Sodom, and eventually dwell in the city, was a pivotal moment driven by the allure of worldly advantage.
The Allure of the Fertile Plain
When Abram generously offered Lot the first choice of land, Lot looked upon the plain of the Jordan. It was "well watered everywhere, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt" (Genesis 13:10). The immediate appeal was undeniable – lush pastures, ideal for his abundant flocks and herds.
Understand the original words
ra' · Hebrew Adjective
Morally evil, corrupt, or ethically wrong. In a biblical context, it denotes a departure from the standard of righteousness set by God’s character.
chatta'im · Hebrew Noun
One who misses the mark of God's perfect standard. It refers to a state of moral rebellion or failure against the commands and character of God.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to His people. It signifies His eternal self-existence, faithfulness to His promises, and active involvement in human history.
The extreme wickedness of Sodom's inhabitants is presented as the backdrop to Lot's fateful decision, highlighting the spiritual dangers of compromising with evil for material gain.
c. 2000 BC— this verse
Abram and Lot Separate
Following a dispute between their shepherds over pastureland, Abram generously allows his nephew Lot to choose his settlement first. Lot selects the fertile plain of the Jordan, pitching his tent towards Sodom.
c. 2000 BC
Lot Settles Near Sodom
Lot chooses to live among the inhabitants of the plain, who are known for their wickedness. This decision sets the stage for future judgment on the city.
c. 2000 BC
God Reaffirms Promise to Abram
After Lot's departure, God reassures Abram, promising him and his descendants the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession.
c. 1900 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Due to their extreme wickedness, Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed by divine judgment. Lot and his two daughters are rescued, but his wife disobeys and is turned into a pillar of salt.
This passage explicitly states that the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, directly supporting the description of the Sodomites as 'exceedingly wicked sinners'.
Luke 17:28-30Jesus likens the destruction of Sodom to His own second coming, highlighting the suddenness and totality of judgment that befell the exceedingly wicked city.
2 Peter 2:6-7Peter describes the wicked men of his day using Sodom as an example of righteous judgment against those who live in depravity, reinforcing the idea of their extreme sinfulness.
Jude 1:7This verse uses Sodom and Gomorrah as a warning of eternal fire, illustrating the extreme and lasting consequences of their sexual immorality and unnatural desires.
gillGenesis 13:13: "But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly."
But the men of Sodom were wicked,.... Which either he knew not, and so ignorantly made this bad choice, to take up his abode among such very wicked men, which occasioned a great deal of grief, trouble, and vexation to him; or if he knew it, the pleasing prospect of convenience for his cattle, and of enriching himself, was a temptation to him, and prevailed upon him to take such a step; and so Jarchi inter…
clarkeGenesis 13:13: "But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly."
The men of Sodom were wicked - רעים raim, from רע, ra, to break in pieces, destroy, and afflict; meaning persons who broke the established order of things, destroyed and confounded the distinctions between right and wrong, and who afflicted and tormented both themselves and others. And sinners, חטאים chattaim, from חטא chata, to miss the mark, to step wrong, to miscarry; the same as ἁμαρτανω in Greek,…
The phrase "sinners against the LORD" implies their wickedness wasn't just against humanity, but a direct affront to God Himself, highlighting the audacity and public nature of their depravity. This detail underscores that their sin was not a private failing but a defiant act against divine authority, which ultimately invited divine judgment.
After a dispute between their shepherds over pasture land, Abram generously allows Lot to choose his dwelling place first. Lot surveys the lush Jordan plain, which was then well-watered and fertile, and pitches his tent towards Sodom, a city whose inhabitants are described as extremely wicked and sinful against the Lord. This choice sets the stage for Lot's eventual troubles and God's judgment on the region.
After a dispute between their shepherds over pasture land, Abram generously allows Lot to choose his dwelling place first. Lot surveys the lush Jordan plain, which was then well-watered and fertile, and pitches his tent towards Sodom, a city whose inhabitants are described as extremely wicked and sinful against the Lord. This choice sets the stage for Lot's eventual troubles and God's judgment on the region.
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Prioritizing Profit Over Purity
While the land was visibly desirable, the commentary highlights that Lot was swayed solely by worldly advantage. He saw the potential for wealth and success but seemed to disregard the character of the people who inhabited the area. This choice reveals a significant lack of discernment and a willingness to compromise his surroundings for personal gain.
A Dangerous Compromise
Choosing to live near or in Sodom, despite knowing the reputation of its inhabitants (implied by the text and confirmed by later events), was a grave error. It exposed him and his family to profound spiritual danger, demonstrating that prioritizing immediate comfort and prosperity can lead to entanglement with wickedness.
"Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD." — The phrase "sinners against the LORD" implies their wickedness wasn't just against humanity, but a direct affront to God Himself, highlighting the audacity and public nature of their depravity. This…