Definition: And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 18:20. It's a really important passage in the Bible that speaks about God's judgment on a city called Sodom and Gomorrah. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is worried about the suffering caused by these cities. He’s troubled by the immense wickedness and wrongdoing happening there. He sees that their sin is so serious – it's causing a lot of pain and destruction – that he needs to take action. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “The LORD said…” : This tells us God is speaking directly to us, revealing his concern. “…Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great…” : This is the core of the verse. “Cry” means to loudly express pain or distress. The Bible says that the suffering caused by these cities is very loud . It’s a massive outpouring of sorrow. “…and because their sin is very grievous…” : This is where it gets deeper. "Sin" in this context means wrongdoing, broken laws, and immoral behavior. The Bible describes Sodom and Gomorrah as having committed a very serious and terrible offense – they were deliberately trying to harm God and others. What does this verse mean practically? It’s telling us that God is watching over his people and protecting them from evil. It suggests: God is concerned about human wickedness: He doesn’t just want to help people; he wants to stop the spreading of bad behavior. Judgment is coming: The verse implies that God intends to punish these cities for their actions, but it's not necessarily a violent attack – it suggests a more subtle and long-term consequence. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the destruction of Jerusalem in the Old Testament. It’s a message about the importance of following God’s laws and avoiding sin. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss a specific aspect of this verse (like its historical context)? Answer any questions you have about it?