Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that the men of Sodom were not just "sinners" in a general sense, but were "sinners against the LORD." This crucial distinction points to their actions being a direct affront and rebellion against God, not merely moral failings in human eyes. It reveals a profound level of impudence and defiance, indicating they sinned with an open awareness and disregard for divine authority.
Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a disagreement over grazing land, Abraham generously allows his nephew Lot to choose which territory he wants to settle. Lot, captivated by the fertile plains of the Jordan River, chooses to live near the wicked city of Sodom, despite the clear sinfulness of its inhabitants. This decision marks a turning point, setting Lot on a path of increasing compromise and ultimately leading to his ruin.
What does it mean to be 'exceedingly wicked' in God's eyes? It wasn't just a few bad habits; it was a deep-seated corruption that defined the very culture of Sodom.
The verse doesn't just say the men of Sodom were bad; it says they were 'wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.' This wasn't a surface-level issue. The commentaries suggest this points to a profound corruption, a breaking of the established order, and a defiance of God.
A Radical Departure
This level of sin meant they were beyond the common failings of humanity. Their iniquity was extreme, reaching a point where it cried out for judgment.
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Lot chose the fertile plain, a place that looked like paradise. But this seemingly good choice led him straight into the heart of extreme wickedness. What does this teach us about our own choices?
Lot's decision to pitch his tent toward Sodom wasn't a neutral act. It was a choice driven by the allure of material prosperity, overshadowing the moral character of the people there.
The Allure of the 'Garden'
This highlights a crucial spiritual principle: the appearance of prosperity can be deceptive. What looks good on the surface might harbor deep moral compromise, and choosing such a path can have devastating consequences.
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.
c. 2000 BC— this verse
Abraham and Lot Separate
After returning from Egypt, Abraham and his nephew Lot, due to the increase in their livestock and the resulting strife between their herdsmen, agree to separate to avoid further conflict. Lot chooses the fertile plains of the Jordan, near Sodom and Gomorrah, while Abraham settles in Canaan.
c. 2000 BC
Lot Settles Near Sodom
Lot pitches his tent towards Sodom, indicating a growing proximity and entanglement with the city and its inhabitants, despite the known wickedness of its people.
c. 2000 BC
God Promises Land to Abraham
Following Lot's separation, God reaffirms His promise to Abraham, promising him and his descendants the land of Canaan, emphasizing the vastness of the land and the uncountable multitude of his future seed.
c. 1900 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Due to their extreme wickedness and persistent sin, God destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, saving only Lot and his two daughters. This event serves as a stark judgment against the sins described in Genesis 13:13.
This passage describes the sins of Sodom in greater detail, highlighting their pride, gluttony, and indifference to the poor, which directly explains the 'exceedingly' wicked nature mentioned in Genesis 13:13.
Jude 1:7This New Testament verse directly references the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, calling them an example of eternal fire due to their sexual immorality and unnatural desires, reinforcing the extreme wickedness described.
Luke 17:29Jesus uses the destruction of Sodom as an example of sudden judgment for wickedness, showing how those who are 'caught up' in sin are unprepared for divine reckoning, which echoes the fate of the men of Sodom.
Romans 1:26-27This passage describes the degradation that results from turning away from God, explicitly mentioning men committing shameless acts with men, which is widely understood to allude to the specific sins of Sodom and its inhabitants.
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 verse highlights that the men of Sodom were not just "sinners" in a general sense, but were "sinners against the LORD." This crucial distinction points to their actions being a direct affront and rebellion against God, not merely moral failings in human eyes. It reveals a profound level of impudence and defiance, indicating they sinned with an open awareness and disregard for divine authority.
After a disagreement over grazing land, Abraham generously allows his nephew Lot to choose which territory he wants to settle. Lot, captivated by the fertile plains of the Jordan River, chooses to live near the wicked city of Sodom, despite the clear sinfulness of its inhabitants. This decision marks a turning point, setting Lot on a path of increasing compromise and ultimately leading to his ruin.
After a disagreement over grazing land, Abraham generously allows his nephew Lot to choose which territory he wants to settle. Lot, captivated by the fertile plains of the Jordan River, chooses to live near the wicked city of Sodom, despite the clear sinfulness of its inhabitants. This decision marks a turning point, setting Lot on a path of increasing compromise and ultimately leading to his ruin.
"Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD." — The verse highlights that the men of Sodom were not just "sinners" in a general sense, but were "sinners against the LORD." This crucial distinction points to their actions being a direct affront a…
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Last reviewed October 2026