Definition: And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 19:21. It’s a really significant and powerful passage about God’s protection and acceptance. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying God is protecting the city described in the previous chapter (Genesis 19) – specifically, it’s talking about Sodom and Gomorrah. He's acknowledging that he'll not destroy them. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And he said unto him…” : This is a formal way of saying “God spoke to him.” It emphasizes that this is a direct communication from God. “…I have accepted thee concerning this thing also…” : This means God has recognized and acknowledged the people in Sodom and Gomorrah. He's acknowledging this specific situation . "...that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.” : This is the core of the verse. It’s a promise and an assurance. Let's break it down further: “This city” : This refers to Sodom and Gomorrah – two cities that were destroyed in the biblical account. "...for the which thou hast spoken" : This is a crucial part. It means God has heard what the people in Sodom and Gomorrah have said to him, and He accepts their words as true. It’s a recognition of their actions – that they are responsible for what they've done. What does this mean practically? This verse is a powerful statement about God’s justice, his care for humanity, and his willingness to protect those who are righteous. It suggests: God sees and cares about us: He doesn’t just look at the actions of people; he also observes their words and intentions. He will intervene: It implies that God might take action against those who are wicked or immoral, but only to protect others. His judgment is fair: It suggests that God’s actions have consequences, and he's willing to defend the innocent. In short, this verse conveys a sense of divine protection and God’s commitment to upholding justice. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Genesis 19? Discuss the context of the story more deeply? Give you some possible interpretations of this verse?