Genesis 18:20 — Word Study
WLCוַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה זַעֲקַ֛ת סְדֹ֥ם וַעֲמֹרָ֖ה כִּי־ רָ֑בָּה וְחַ֨טָּאתָ֔ם כִּ֥י כָבְדָ֖ה מְאֹֽד׃
BSAThen the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] saidʼâmar▸ The outcryzaʻaq [a loud cry or shriek, expressing distress] against SodomÇᵉdôm [a city near the Dead Sea, known for its wickedness] and GomorrahʻĂmôrâh [a city in ancient Palestine, ultimately destroyed] Becausekîy their sinchaṭṭâʼâh [guilt, or punishment for sin] is somᵉʼôd grievouskâbad■ [exceedingly heavy, very serious, to honor or make something weighty]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּ֣אמֶר | and he said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| יְהוָ֔ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| זַעֲקַ֛ת | [the] outcry of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| סְדֹ֥ם | Sodom | Noun proper |
| וַעֲמֹרָ֖ה | and Gomorrah | Conjunction, noun proper |
| כִּי־ | for | Particle |
| רָ֑בָּה | it is great | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| וְחַ֨טָּאתָ֔ם | and sin their | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| כִּ֥י | that | Particle |
| כָבְדָ֖ה | it is heavy | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| מְאֹֽד׃ | exceedingly | Adv |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous, |
| KJV | And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; |
| ASV | And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; |
| YLT | And Jehovah saith, 'The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah — because great; and their sin — because exceeding grievous: |
| WEB | Yahweh said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, |
| BBE | And the Lord said, Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is very great, and their sin is very evil, |
Where they part company is in the rendering of the outcry — see How Translations Differ.
The structure features a main clause followed by a noun phrase and a subordinate clause, indicating the cause of God's declaration.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectיהוה
verbאָמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 18:20
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrahgenerated
Genesis 18:20 reveals God's awareness of the outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, indicating the cities' wickedness and the divine response to their grievous sins. This context sets the stage for God's impending judgment, as He prepares to investigate the truth of their actions, as seen in the following verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 4:10 | “What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. |
| 2 | Genesis 19:13 | because we are about to destroy this place. For the outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that He has sent us to destroy it.” |
| 3 | Isaiah 3:9 | The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves. |
| 4 | Isaiah 5:7 | For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 14:7 | Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — זַעֲקַ֛ת, za.'a.Katgenerated
The word זַעֲקַ֛ת (za'aqat) refers to a loud cry or shriek that expresses distress. It conveys a sense of urgency and desperation, often associated with a plea for help or a cry of injustice. In this verse, it highlights the severity of the situation in Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing that their actions have provoked a significant outcry.
This noun is in the feminine singular construct form, indicating a specific outcry related to Sodom and Gomorrah. The usage of this term underscores the gravity of the cities' sins, which have reached a level that demands divine attention.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree that the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is significant due to their grievous sin.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is וַיֹּ֣אמֶר, and He said, which governs the entire sentence. This structure emphasizes the LORD's authoritative declaration about the situation in Sodom and Gomorrah.
The sentence includes a noun phrase that identifies the subject, יְהוָ֔ה, Yahweh, followed by a series of clauses that elaborate on the outcry and the nature of the sin, creating a layered understanding of the gravity of the situation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew זַעֲקַ֛ת is rendered as κραυγὴ (
The overall translation choice reflects a consistent interpretation of the severity of the sin in Sodom and Gomorrah.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 18:20 shows the LORD stating that the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great due to their grievous sin. This highlights the seriousness of their actions and sets the stage for God's judgment.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The outcry signifies the severity of the sins committed by the inhabitants of these cities, reaching a level that prompted God's attention and judgment.
God expresses concern to demonstrate His justice and to investigate the truth of the actions in Sodom and Gomorrah before enacting judgment.
The term 'grievous' implies that their sin is not only serious but also burdensome and deserving of punishment, highlighting the weight of their moral failure.
This verse illustrates God's awareness of human actions and His commitment to justice, as He responds to the cries of the oppressed and the outcry against sin.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some modern examples of outcry against injustice that I can recognize?
- How can I ensure that my actions align with God's standards to avoid a similar fate as Sodom and Gomorrah?
- In what ways can I respond to the cries of those in distress around me?
- How does understanding God's judgment in this verse shape my view of sin and its consequences?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers referenced this verse to discuss God's justice and the seriousness of sin, providing insights into the moral implications of the text.
It was not that God, who had just said, “their sins were very grave,” did not know that they had sinned. This was an example to judges not to prejudge a case, even based on very reliable hearsay.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 18 →
Then, to teach the whole human race that even if their sins are exceedingly great and confessed to be such, he does not pronounce sentence before proof is manifest, he says,Early Church Fathers on Genesis 18 →
The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is multiplied, he said. Well did he say that sins can cry out. Great surely is the cry of sinners as it mounts from earth to heaven.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 18 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 18:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the Lord said,.... The Targum of Jonathan adds, to the ministering angels, the two angels that were with him in the likeness of men; or to Abraham, at least in his hearing, by which he understood
Read John Gill on Genesis 18 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; Because the cry of Sodom ... is great , [Hebrew, za`ªqat (H2201) Cªdom (H5467)] - the cry concerning Sodom.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 18 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSins are said to cry when they are gross, and manifest, and impudent, and such as highly provoke God to anger. He names only these two cities, as being the most eminent in state, and exemplary in wickedness; but under them he includes the rest, as appears by the story.
Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 18 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;Ver. 20. Because their sin is very grievous.] Or, very heavy; such as the very ground groans under; the axle of the earth is ready to break under it. Sin is a burden to God. It was so to Christ; he fell to the ground when he was in his agony. It was so to the angels, who sunk into hell under it. It was so to Korah and his company; the earth could not bear them. It was so to the Sodomites; they were so clogged with this excrement of naughtiness, as St James calleth it, that God came from heaven to give their land a vomit. ηπερισσειακακιας
Read John Trapp on Genesis 18 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 20. Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah] See Clarke on Genesis 13:13.
Read AdamClarke on Genesis 18 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges20. Because … because] Better, as marg., Verily … verily. the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah] See Genesis 19:13. (1) Either, this is the complaint concerning Sodom and Gomorrah going up to Heaven. The genitive “of” is then objective, like “the report of Tyre” (Isaiah 23:5), “the spoil of thine enemies” (Deuteronomy 20:14). (2) Or, it is the cry by the cities, which are personified, and which make their loud complaint against the inhabitants. The genitive then is subjective. See Genesis 4:10. their sin is very grievous] Cf. Genesis 13:13; Ezekiel 16:49-50.
Read Cambridge on Genesis 18 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible20. The cry of Sodom — The cry of the sins and abominations of Sodom, which went up to God, like the voice of Abel’s blood (Genesis 4:10) demanding punishment.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 18 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous,
Yahweh said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous,
Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous,
So the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so blatant
Tyndale line
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
Then the Lord saide, Because the crie of Sodom and Gomorah is great, and because their sinne is exceeding grieuous,
Strictly literal
And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grievous,
And Jehovah saith, 'The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah — because great; and their sin — because exceeding grievous:
And YHWH says, “The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah—because great; and their sin—because exceedingly grievous:
And the Lord said, Because the cry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous:
Then Yahweh said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and because their sin is so serious,
From the Latin
And the Lord said: The cry of Sodom and Gomorrha is multiplied, and their sin is become exceedingly grievous.
Simplified
Then the Lord said, “There are many complaints made against Sodom and Gomorrah because they sin so blatantly.
And the Lord said, Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is very great, and their sin is very evil,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches 9 of the 11 words. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs by one word, using צעקת (cry) instead of זַעֲקַ֛ת. The Dead Sea Scrolls provide no original text here, with 11 words supplied by an editor.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה זַעֲקַ֛ת סְדֹ֥ם וַעֲמֹרָ֖ה כִּי־ רָ֑בָּה וְחַ֨טָּאתָ֔ם כִּ֥י כָבְדָ֖ה מְאֹֽד׃
9 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויאמר יהוה צעקת סדם ועמרה כי רבה וחטאתם כי כבדה מאד
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: צעקת (cry)
[ויאמר] [יהוה] [זעקת] [סדם] [ועמרה] [כי] [רבה] [וחטאת׳ם] [כי] [כבדה] [מאד]
nothing on the leather here — 11 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 18:20
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
זְעָקָה (ze'aqah) refers to a cry or outcry, often associated with distress or clamour. It is derived from the root word meaning to cry out, and its usage encompasses various forms of vocal expression, particularly in moments of urgency or need.
זְעָקָה n.f. cry, outcry
outcry, against
cry of distress
outcry, clamour
base
H2201 זְעָקָה cry, outcry
2201 za`aq zah'-ak
and (feminine) zoaqah {zeh-aw-kaw'}; from 2199; a shriek or
outcry:--cry(-ing).
see HEBREW for 02199
זְעָקָה (ze.a.qah) — outcry.
1) cry, outcry
1a) outcry
1b) cry of distress
1c) outcry, clamour
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
סְדֹם (sedom) refers to Sodom, a significant Canaanite city often mentioned alongside Gomorrah. The name is linked to the idea of burning, possibly due to its volcanic or bituminous landscape. It is located near the Dead Sea and is known for its destruction by divine judgment.
סְדֹם 39 n.pr.loc. Sodom, important Canaanitish name (usu.) with Gomorrah
base
H5467 סְדֹם Sodom, important Canaanitish name (usu.) with Gomorrah
5467 Cdom sed-ome'
from an unused root meaning to scorch; burnt (i.e. volcanic
or bituminous) district; Sedom, a place near the Dead Sea:--
Sodom.
סְדֹם (se.dom) — Sodom.
Sodom = "burning"
a Canaanite city, usually paired with Gomorrah, located in the area of the Dead Sea and the Jordan river; both cities destroyed by God in judgment
Also named: Sodoma (Σόδομα "Sodom" G4670)
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
sod'-um (cedhom; Sodoma) One of the 5 CITIES OF THE PLAIN (which see), destroyed by fire from heaven in the time of Abraham and Lot (Ge 19:24). The wickedness of the city became proverbial. The sin of sodomy was an offense against nature frequently connected with idolatrous practices (see Rawlinson, History of Phoenicia). See SODOMITE. The fate of Sodom and Gomorrah is used as a warning to those who reject the gospel (Mt 10:15; 11:24; 2Pe 2:6; Jude 1:7). The word is used in a typical sense in Re 11:8. Sodom was probably located in plain South of the Dead Sea, now covered with water. The name is still preserved in Jebel…
Sodom
Burning; the walled, a city in the vale of Siddim (Gen. 13:10; 14:1-16). The wickedness of its inhabitants brought down upon it fire from heaven, by which it was destroyed (18:16-33; 19:1-29; Deut. 23:17). This city and its awful destruction are frequently alluded to in Scripture (Deut. 29:23; 32:32; Isa. 1:9, 10; 3:9; 13:19; Jer. 23:14; Ezek. 16:46-56; Zeph. 2:9; Matt. 10:15; Rom. 9:29;
(burning), one of the most ancient cities of Syria. It is commonly mentioned in connection with Gomorrah, but also with Admah and Zeboim, and on one occasion -- (Genesis 14:1) ... --with Bela or Zoar. Sodom was evidently the chief town in the settlement. The four are first named in the ethnological records of (Genesis 10:19) as belonging to the Canaanites. The next mention of the name of Sodom, (Genesis 13:10-13) gives more certain indication of the position of the city. Abram and Lot are standing together between Bethel and Ai, ver. 3, taking a survey of the land around and below them. Eastward of them, and absolutely at their feet, lay the "circle of Jordan." The whole circle was one great oasis --"a garden of Jehovah."…
One of the cities of the plain, and for some time the dwellingplace of Lot, Ge 13:10-13 14:12. Its crimes and vices were so enormous, that God destroyed it by fire from heaven, with three neighboring cities, Gomorrah, Zeboim, and Admah, which were as wicked as itself, Ge 19:1-20. The plain of Siddim in which they stood was pleasant and fruitful, like an earthy paradise; but it was first burned, and afterwards mostly overflowed by the waters of the Dead Sea or Lake of Sodom. See JORDAN, and SEA 3.
The prophets, in denouncing woes upon other countries, mention the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and intimate that these places shall be desert and dried up and uninhabited, Jer 49:18 50:40; that they shall be covered with briers…
עֲמֹרָה (Amorah) refers to Gomorrah, a city known for its wickedness and destruction by divine judgment. The term is derived from a root meaning 'a (ruined) heap.' It is often associated with Sodom, and both cities are noted for their sinful nature in biblical texts.
עֲמֹרָה 19 n.pr.loc. Gomorrah
base
H6017 עֲמֹרָה Gomorrah
6017 `Amorah am-o-raw'
from 6014; a (ruined) heap; Amorah, a place in
Palestine:--Gomorrah.
see HEBREW for 06014
עֲמֹרָה (a.mo.rah) — Gomorrah.
Gomorrah = "submersion"
the twin-city in evil with Sodom, both destroyed in judgment by God with fire from heaven
Also named: Gomorra (Γόμορρα "Gomorrah" G1116)
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun properHC/Npl
go-mor'-a (`amorah; Septuagint and New Testament Gomorra, or Gomorra; Arabic Ghamara, "to overwhelm with water"): One of the CITIES OF THE PLAIN (which see) destroyed by fire from heaven in the time of Abraham and Lot (Ge 19:23-29). It was located probably in the plain South of the Dead Sea, now covered with water. See ARABAH; CITIES OF THE PLAIN; DEAD SEA. De Saulcy, however, with others who place the Cities of the Plain at the North end of the Dead Sea, fixes upon Khumran (or Gumran), marked on the Survey Map of Palestine North of Ras Feshkeh, where there are ruins about a mile from the Dead Sea. But there is nothing to support this view except the faint resemblance of the name and the inconclusive arguments placing the Cities of the Plain at that end of the sea.
George Frederick Wright
Gomorrah
Submersion, one of the five cities of the plain of Siddim (q.v.) which were destroyed by fire (Gen. 10:19; 13:10; 19:24, 28). These cities probably stood close together, and were near the northern extremity of what is now the Dead Sea. This city is always mentioned next after Sodom, both of which were types of impiety and wickedness (Gen. 18:20; Rom. 9:29). Their destruction is mentioned as an “ensample unto those that after should live ungodly” (2 Pet. 2:6; Jude 1:4-7). Their wickedness became proverbial (Deut. 32:32;
(submersion), one of the five "cities of the plain" or "vale of Siddim" that under the irrespective kings joined battle there with Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:2-8) and his allies by whom they were discomfited till Abraham came to the rescue. Four out of the five were afterwards destroyed by the Lord with fire from heaven. (Genesis 19:23-29) One of them only, Zoar (or Bela; which was its original name), was spared at the request of Lot, in order that he might take refuge there. The geographical position of these cities is discussed under SODOM.
One of the cities in the fruitful vale of Siddim, near the southern part of the ancient Dead Sea, miraculously blasted by God. See SODOM.
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
רָבַב (rabab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or become many or much. It conveys the idea of increase, especially in number, and can also imply multiplication by the myriad. The entries suggest a range of meanings, including becoming great or long in terms of journey, and the Pual form specifically refers to ten thousands.
[רָבַב] vb. be or become, many, much
base
H7231 רָבַב be or become, many, much
7231 rabab raw-bab'
a primitive root; properly, to cast together (compare 7241),
i.e. increase, especially in number; also (as denominative
from 7233) to multiply by the myriad:--increase, be
many(-ifold), be more, multiply, ten thousands.
see HEBREW for 07241
see HEBREW for 07233
רָבַב (ra.vav) — to multiply.
1) to be or become many, be or become much, be or become great
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to be or become many
1a2) to be or become great
1a3) to be long (of journey)
2) (Pual) ten thousands
HVqp3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah) refers to sin and encompasses various aspects such as the condition of sin, guilt, punishment, and sin-offering. It can denote both the act of sinning and the consequences, including purification from ceremonial uncleanness. The term is built from the root word for offense and is used in contexts relating to sin and its expiation.
H2403a חַטָּאָה sin, sin-offering(?) . sin
. sin-offering
H2403b חַטָּאת sin, sin-offering . sin
. condition of sin, guilt of sin
. punishment for sin
. sin-offering
. purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
2403 chatta'ah khat-taw-aw'
or chattacth {khat-tawth'}; from 2398; an offence (sometimes
habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or
expiation; also (concretely) an offender:--punishment (of
sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering).
see HEBREW for 02398
חַטָּאָה (chat.ta.ah) — sin.
sin, sinful thing
חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin.
: sin
1) sin, sin offering
1a) sin
1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin
1c) punishment for sin
1d) sin-offering
1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin: sin offering.
: sin_offering
1) sin, sin offering
1a) sin
1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin
1c) punishment for sin
1d) sin-offering
1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
חַטָּאת (chat.tat) — sin: punishment.
: punishment/purification
1) sin, sin offering
1a) sin
1b) condition of sin, guilt of sin
1c) punishment for sin
1d) sin-offering
1e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp3mp
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
HTc — ParticleHTc
The Hebrew word כָּבֵד (kabad) is built from a primitive root meaning 'to be heavy.' It covers a range of meanings, including being burdensome, weighty, or honorable. The word can describe both a negative sense of heaviness or dullness and a positive sense of honor or glory. It appears in various forms, such as making oneself heavy or being made honorable.
כָּבֵד vb. be heavy, weighty, burdensome, honoured
Qal
be heavy, in weight
heavy, insensible, dull
be honoured
Niph.
pass.
be made heavy fr. abundance
be honoured, enjoy honour, of man
medial, get oneself glory (or honour), of God
Pi.
make heavy, insensible
make honourable, honour, glorify, usu. c. human subj.
Pu. be made honourable, honoured
Hiph.
make heavy
make heavy, dull, unresponsive, the ears
cause to be honoured
Hithp.
make oneself heavy, dense, numerous
honour oneself
base
H3513 כָּבֵד be heavy, weighty, burdensome, honoured .. be heavy, in weight
. heavy, insensible, dull
. be honoured
. . pass. . be made heavy fr. abundance
. be honoured, enjoy honour, of man
. medial, get oneself glory (or honour), of God
. . make heavy, insensible
. make honourable, honour, glorify, usu. c. human subj.
. be made honourable, honoured
. . make heavy
. make heavy, dull, unresponsive, the ears
. cause to be honoured
. . make oneself heavy, dense, numerous
. honour oneself
3513 kabad kaw-bad'
or kabed {kaw-bade'}; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in
a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense
(numerous, rich, honorable; causatively, to make weighty (in
the same two senses):--abounding with, more grievously
afflict, boast, be chargeable, X be dim, glorify, be (make)
glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden,
be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to,
do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man),
lade, X more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote
(to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop.
כָּבֵד (ka.vad) — to honor: honour.
: honour/glory
1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be heavy
1a2) to be heavy, be insensible, be dull
1a3) to be honoured
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be made heavy, be honoured, enjoy honour, be made abundant
1b2) to get oneself glory or honour, gain glory
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to make heavy, make dull, make insensible
1c2) to make honourable, honour, glorify
1d) (Pual) to be made honourable, be honoured
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to make heavy
1e2) to make heavy, make dull, make unresponsive
1e3) to cause to be honoured
1f) (Hithpael)
1f1) to make oneself heavy, make oneself dense, make oneself numerous
1f2) to honour oneself
כָּבֵד (ka.vad) — to honor: heavy.
: heavy/severe
1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
מְאֹד (m`od) refers to concepts of muchness, force, and abundance. It serves as an adverb meaning exceedingly or greatly, often used to intensify other words. The entries highlight its use in various idioms to express magnitude or degree, with a focus on might and intensity.
מְאֹד n.m. muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
force, might
in diff. idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
base
H3966 מְאֹד muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly . force, might
. in diff. idiomns (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
3966 m`od meh-ode'
from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or
without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly,
speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently,
especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X
louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so)
sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.
see HEBREW for 0181
מְאֹד (me.od) — much.
adv
1) exceedingly, much
subst
2) might, force, abundance
n m
3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
3a) force, might
3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)
3b1) exceedingly
3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly
3b3) with muchness, muchness
Adv — AdvHAcmsa