The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah's Wickedness in Scripture
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are consistently presented in Scripture as archetypes of profound wickedness and divine judgment [5, 7]. Their destruction by fire from heaven, as recorded in Genesis 19:23-29, serves as a stark example of God's severe response to sin [7, 8, 10].
The biblical narrative begins by describing the men of Sodom as "wicked and exceeding sinners against the Lord" [1]. God himself declares that "the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous" [2]. While the specific nature of their sin is often debated, the biblical text and subsequent interpretations highlight several aspects. The most explicit account of their wickedness is found in Genesis 19, where the men of Sodom demand that Lot bring out his two angelic visitors "that we may know them" (Genesis 19:5). This demand is widely understood as an intent to sexually assault the visitors [6]. Smith's Bible Dictionary notes that the term "Sodomites" in the Old Testament refers not to the inhabitants of Sodom generally, but specifically to those who practiced "the abominable and unnatural vice from which the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah have derived their lasting infamy" as a religious rite [6].
Beyond this specific act, other biblical passages broaden the understanding of Sodom's wickedness. The prophet Jeremiah compares the prophets of Jerusalem to Sodom and Gomorrah, stating that they "commit adultery, and walk in lies; and they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one returns from his wickedness" [3]. This suggests a pervasive moral corruption and a lack of repentance. Deuteronomy 32:32 describes the people's "vine" as being "of the vine of Sodom, of the fields of Gomorrah," producing "poison grapes" and "bitter clusters," metaphorically representing their corrupt nature and actions [4]. John Gill, in his commentary on Deuteronomy, applies this metaphor to "false Christians in the Roman empire" who embraced doctrines of "man's freewill, of justification and salvation not alone by Christ, but by their own works of righteousness" [9].
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is frequently referenced throughout Scripture as a warning and an example of divine wrath against ungodliness [5, 7, 10]. For instance, 2 Peter 2:6 states that God "made them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly," and Jude 1:4-7 similarly uses their fate as a warning. Jesus himself refers to Sodom in Matthew 10:15, indicating that it will be "more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city" which rejects his disciples. Paul also alludes to Sodom and Gomorrah in Romans 9:29, quoting Isaiah 1:9 about being left with a small remnant, implying a widespread destruction due to sin [7].
The "cry" of Sodom and Gomorrah mentioned in Genesis 18:20 is interpreted by Ramban (Nachmanides) as "the cry of the oppressed, crying out and begging for help from the arm of their wickedness" [11]. This interpretation suggests that the sin of Sodom also encompassed social injustice and oppression, leading to the suffering of its inhabitants.
The complete destruction of these cities was so thorough that "no trace of it or of the other cities of the plain has been discovered, so complete was their destruction" [7]. This serves as a testament to the finality and severity of God's judgment against their profound wickedness, which became proverbial in biblical literature [5].
Sources
- Genesis “Genesis 13:13 (Geneva1599) — Now the men of Sodom were wicked and exceeding sinners against the Lord.”
- Genesis “Yahweh said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, -- Genesis 18:20”
- Jeremiah “In the prophets of Jerusalem also I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies; and they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one returns from his wickedness: they have all become to me as Sodom, and its inhabitants as Gomorrah. -- Jeremiah 23:14”
- Deuteronomy “For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, of the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are poison grapes. Their clusters are bitter. -- Deuteronomy 32:32”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gomorrah — Submersion, one of the five cities of the plain of Siddim (q.v.) which were destroyed by fire (Gen. 10:19; 13:10; 19:24, 28). These cities probably stood close together, and were near the northern extremity of what is now the Dead Sea. This city is always mentioned next after Sodom, both of which were types of impiety and wickedness (Gen. 18:20; Rom. 9:29). Their destruction is mentioned as an "ensample unto those that after should live ungodly" (2 Pet. 2:6; Jude 1:4-7). Their wickedness became proverbial (Deut. 32:32; Isa. 1:9, 10; Jer. 23:14). But that w”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Sodomites — This word does not denote the inhabitants of Sodom; but it is employed in the Authorized Version of the Old Testament for those who practiced as a religious rite the abominable and unnatural vice from which the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah have derived their lasting infamy.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sodom — Burning; the walled, a city in the vale of Siddim (Gen. 13:10; 14:1-16). The wickedness of its inhabitants brought down upon it fire from heaven, by which it was destroyed (18:16-33; 19:1-29; Deut. 23:17). This city and its awful destruction are frequently alluded to in Scripture (Deut. 29:23; 32:32; Isa. 1:9, 10; 3:9; 13:19; Jer. 23:14; Ezek. 16:46-56; Zeph. 2:9; Matt. 10:15; Rom. 9:29; 2 Pet. 2:6, etc.). No trace of it or of the other cities of the plain has been discovered, so complete was their destruction. Just opposite the site of Zoar, on the south-wes”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 10:12: 10:12 God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness (Gen 18:16–19:29).”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 32:31: For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah,.... This respects the false Christians in the Roman empire, who should have taken warning by the Jews, and not have embraced such sentiments of theirs, which had been resented by the Lord, and condemned in them; such as the doctrines of man's freewill, of justification and salvation not alone by Christ, but by their own works of righteousness, saying, "our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done all this", Deu 32:27. Now out of the errors and heresies which arose in the primitive Christian c”
- Zephaniah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zephaniah 2:9: 2:9 The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as an example of God’s severe judgment of sin, both in the Old Testament (Deut 29:23; Isa 1:9; Jer 23:14; Amos 4:11) and in the New Testament (Luke 10:12; Rom 9:29; 2 Pet 2:6). • salt pits: A ruinous waste (Deut 29:23; Ps 107:34; Jer 17:6). Sowing the earth with salt was a mark of permanent judgment (see Judg 9:45) because it made the ground barren.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Genesis 18:20: THE CRY OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH. This is the cry of the oppressed, crying out and begging for help from the arm of their wickedness. It would have been proper for Scripture to say, “ The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah I heard because it is great ” or “The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very heavy.” But the purport of the verse is to state that “I will go down and see the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah and their sin which have become very great. If they have all sinned, I will bring the law to bear down on them, and if not, I will know who are the”