share torah logo

Genesis 18:21 - Divine justice investigates Sodom's sins.

Genesis 18:21 - בראשית 18:21

Hebrew Text

אֵרֲדָה־נָּא וְאֶרְאֶה הַכְּצַעֲקָתָהּ הַבָּאָה אֵלַי עָשׂוּ כָּלָה וְאִם־לֹא אֵדָעָה׃

English Translation

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.

Transliteration

Ereda-na ve-er'eh haketza'akata haba'a elai asu kala ve-im-lo eda'a.

Hebrew Leining Text

אֵֽרְדָה־נָּ֣א וְאֶרְאֶ֔ה הַכְּצַעֲקָתָ֛הּ הַבָּ֥אָה אֵלַ֖י עָשׂ֣וּ <small>׀</small> כָּלָ֑ה וְאִם־לֹ֖א אֵדָֽעָה׃
אֵֽרְדָה־נָּ֣א וְאֶרְאֶ֔ה הַכְּצַעֲקָתָ֛הּ הַבָּ֥אָה אֵלַ֖י עָשׂ֣וּ ׀ כָּלָ֑ה וְאִם־לֹ֖א אֵדָֽעָה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Divine Justice and Investigation

The verse (Bereshit 18:21) describes Hashem's decision to investigate the sins of Sodom before executing judgment. Rashi explains that this teaches the principle of din emet l'amito (true and exact justice) – that even when the outcry against Sodom was great, Hashem did not judge them without first verifying their deeds. This reflects the Divine attribute of justice, where punishment is never meted out without thorough examination.

The Meaning of "Eredah Na" (I Will Go Down Now)

Ramban notes that the phrase "Eredah Na" indicates Hashem's direct involvement in judgment, rather than delegating it to angels. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 49:6) elaborates that this demonstrates Hashem's personal engagement in justice, as the sins of Sodom were so severe that they required direct Divine intervention.

The Cry of Sodom

The term tze'akah (cry) is significant. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109a) explains that this refers to the cries of victims oppressed by Sodom's wickedness, particularly their cruelty to strangers and the poor. Rashi adds that this cry had "come before Me" – indicating that their sins had reached a threshold demanding judgment.

"Asu Kalah" – Whether They Have Done Altogether

  • Ibn Ezra interprets this as meaning Hashem would determine whether their actions matched the severity of the outcry.
  • Sforno explains that "kalah" implies complete corruption – if their wickedness was total, with no righteous individuals remaining.
  • The Malbim emphasizes that this investigation would determine whether there was any possibility of repentance or mitigation of judgment.

"V'im Lo Ede'ah" – And If Not, I Will Know

Rashi explains this phrase to mean that if their sins were not as complete as reported, Hashem would withhold full punishment in accordance with their actual deeds. The Kli Yakar adds that this demonstrates Hashem's precision in judgment – even evil cities are not destroyed without exact measurement of their sins.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 39b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about divine justice and the nature of God's knowledge and intervention in human affairs.
📖 Berakhot 62b
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing God's omniscience and the concept of divine descent to investigate human actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 18:21 mean when Hashem says 'I will go down now and see'?
A: According to Rashi, Hashem is demonstrating the principle of fair judgment by personally investigating the situation in Sodom before passing judgment. Even though Hashem knows everything, He acts in a way that teaches us to judge carefully and not rush to conclusions.
Q: Why is it important that Hashem says 'I will know' in Genesis 18:21?
A: The Rambam explains that this teaches us about Hashem's perfect knowledge. Even though He already knows the truth, He conducts Himself in a way that serves as a model for human judges - to examine matters thoroughly before deciding.
Q: What can we learn from Hashem's approach to judging Sodom in this verse?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 6b) derives from this verse that judges must investigate matters carefully. Just as Hashem didn't rely solely on reports about Sodom's wickedness but said 'I will see,' so too must human judges examine cases thoroughly before ruling.
Q: How does Genesis 18:21 show Hashem's relationship with justice?
A: The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 49:6) explains that this verse shows Hashem's commitment to perfect justice. Even when dealing with wicked people like those of Sodom, Hashem follows proper judicial procedure, teaching us that the process of justice is as important as the outcome.
Q: What does 'according to the cry of it' mean in Genesis 18:21?
A: Rashi explains that 'the cry' refers to the screams of Sodom's victims - the poor and vulnerable who suffered from their cruelty. The verse teaches that injustice doesn't go unnoticed by Hashem, and societies are judged based on how they treat the weak.