Genesis 18:20-21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 18:16-22

The messengers from heaven had now despatched one part of their business, which was an errand of grace to Abraham and Sarah, and which they delivered first; but now they have before them work of another nature. Sodom is to be destroyed, and they must do it, Gen. 19:13. Note, As with the Lord there is mercy, so he is the God to whom vengeance belongs. Pursuant to their commission, we here find, 1. That they looked towards Sodom (Gen. 18:16); they set their faces against it in wrath, as God is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:20

And 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 that Sodom and other cities were about to be destroyed for their sins: because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great ; either of Lot in it, whose righteous soul was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked, and cried to heaven against them; or of the inhabitants that were oppressed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:21

I will go down now ,.... The Son of God in an human form now with Abraham, who proposes to go from the place where he was, which perhaps was on higher ground, to the plain in which Sodom and Gomorrah stood; and whither it seems certain he did go down, after he had done talking with Abraham, see Genesis 19:24 , and see whether they have done altogether ; committed all the sins, and in such manner, and with such circumstances as reported; or, "have made a full end" F3 עשו כלה ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:20

Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah - See note on Genesis 13:13 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:21

I will go down now, etc. - A lesson to magistrates, teaching them not to judge according to report, but accurately to inquire into the facts themselves - Jarchi. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:20

Verse 20 20.The cry of Sodom. The Lord here begins more clearly to explain to Abraham his counsel concerning the destruction of the five cities; although he only names Sodom and Gomorrah, which were much more famous than the rest. But before he makes mention of punishment, he brings forward their iniquities, to teach Abraham that they justly deserved to be destroyed: otherwise the history would not tend to instruction. But when we perceive that the anger of God is provoked by the sin of man, we... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:21

Verse 21 21.I will go down now. Since this was a signal example of the wrath of God, which He intends to be celebrated through all ages, and to which he frequently refers in the Scripture; therefore Moses diligently records those things which are especially to be considered in divine judgments; just as, in this place, he commends the moderation of God, who does not immediately fulminate against the ungodly and pour out his vengeance upon them; but who, when affairs were utterly desperate, at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:16-33

Abraham's intercession for Sodom. The whole wonderful scene springs out of the theophany. Abraham's faith has given him a special position with the Lord. "Shall I hide from Abraham that thug which I do?" &c.; The true priesthood and mediatorship is friendship with God. The grace of God first gives the likeness and then exalts it. The Lord knew Abraham because Abraham knew the Lord . The superior angel, the Lord, remains behind his companions that Abraham might have the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:20

A nd the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Literally, the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah (cf. Genesis 4:10 ), because it is (not, it is indeed, Baumgarten, Keil) multiplied ; the place of emphasis being conceded to the subject of discourse, viz; the cry of Sodom's wickedness. And because their sin is very great. Literally, and their sin, because it is heavy, i.e. abundant and heinous. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:21

I will go down now (cf. Genesis 11:5 ), and see (judicial investigation ever precedes judicial infliction at the Divine tribunal) whether they have done altogether —literally, whether they have made cow, piousness, i.e. carried their iniquity to perfection, to the highest pitch of wickedness (Calvin, Delitzsch, Keil); or consummated their wickedness, by carrying it to that pitch of fullness which works death (Ainsworth, Kalisch, Rosenmüller). The received rendering, which regards ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 18:16-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 18:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 18:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:16-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 18:21

Group of Brands