The Meaning of Genesis 18:21 Explained

Genesis 18:21

KJV: I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

YLT: I go down now, and see whether according to its cry which is coming unto Me they have done completely -- and if not -- I know;'

Darby: I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come to me; and if not, I will know it.

ASV: I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I will go down  now, and see  whether they have done  altogether  according to the cry  of it, which is come  unto me; and if not, I will know. 

What does Genesis 18:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 18:16-33 - Abraham Pleads For Sodom
Christ had visited Abraham's tent, but He did more. He trusted him with His secrets, and led him almost unconsciously to a degree of faith and prayer that was far beyond what he had hitherto attained. Abraham seemed to be driving the Blessed One from point to point, but as a matter of fact, he was being drawn forward. It was so with the woman of Syrophenicia. God's love and willingness to bless far exceeded Abraham's faith, and when he had gone as far as he dared the divine love went farther and saved Lot from the overthrow. We can never go into the realms of love and compassion, without finding the footsteps of the Redeemer. See Hebrews 10:22. Amid all the mysteries of God's moral government we must always believe that He is just and righteous. His throne is encircled by the rainbow, but it is founded in unimpeachable integrity. How low Abraham lay in his self-estimate! They who know most of God do not presume on their knowledge, but esteem themselves the least of saints. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 18

1  The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels
9  Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son
16  The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham
23  Abraham makes intercession for its inhabitants

What do the individual words in Genesis 18:21 mean?

I will go down now and see whether the outcry against it that has come to Me whether they have done altogether and if not I will know
אֵֽרֲדָה־ נָּ֣א וְאֶרְאֶ֔ה הַכְּצַעֲקָתָ֛הּ הַבָּ֥אָה אֵלַ֖י עָשׂ֣וּ ׀ כָּלָ֑ה וְאִם־ לֹ֖א אֵדָֽעָה

אֵֽרֲדָה־  I  will  go  down 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: יָרַד  
Sense: to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down.
נָּ֣א  now 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
וְאֶרְאֶ֔ה  and  see  whether 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual, first person common singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
הַכְּצַעֲקָתָ֛הּ  the  outcry  against  it 
Parse: Article, Preposition-k, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: צְעָקָה  
Sense: cry, outcry.
הַבָּ֥אָה  that  has  come 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
אֵלַ֖י  to  Me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
עָשׂ֣וּ ׀  whether  they  have  done 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
כָּלָ֑ה  altogether 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כָּלָה  
Sense: completion, termination, full end, complete destruction, consumption, annihilation.
וְאִם־  and  if 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
אֵדָֽעָה  I  will  know 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.