Lexical Summary gophrith: Brimstone, Sulfur Original Word: גָּפְרִית Strong's Exhaustive Concordance brimstone Probably feminine of gopher; properly, cypress- resin; by analogy, sulphur (as equally inflammable) -- brimstone. see HEBREW gopher NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as gopher Definition brimstone NASB Translation brimstone (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs גָּפְרִית noun feminine brimstone (Aramaic גּוּפְרִיתָא, also כבריתא, כובריתא,  ,  ; Arabic  (certainly foreign word); derived from (כֹּפֶר), גֹּפֶר by Thes Rob-Ges, compare Di Genesis 6:14; i.e. pitch, and then other combustibles, especially sulphur; Lagl.c. thinks from Bactrian vohûkereti) — גָּפְרִית Genesis 19:24 6t. — brimstone, after הִמְטִיר Genesis 19:24 (J), figurative of judgment Psalm 11:6; Ezekiel 38:22 (in all "" אֵשׁ etc.), compare also Job 18:15; Isaiah 34:9, & Deuteronomy 29:22; ׳נַחַל ג simile for the destroying breath of ׳י Isaiah 30:33. גֵּר see below I. גור. גִּר see below גיר. Topical Lexicon Material and Cultural Background Gophrith refers to naturally occurring sulfur, a yellow, pungent mineral common around the Dead Sea Rift and other volcanic regions of the Ancient Near East. Easily ignited and burning with a blue flame that releases choking fumes, sulfur was known in antiquity for fumigation, bleaching, and medicine, but Scripture consistently employs it as a metaphor and instrument of divine wrath. Instrument of Judgment in Narrative History Genesis 19:24 records the dramatic inaugural appearance: “Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens.” The combination of sulfur’s combustibility and fire underscores a judgment that is both sudden and thorough. Archaeological surveys along the southeastern Dead Sea reveal asphalt, bitumen, and sulfur nodules, allowing modern readers to appreciate the literal plausibility of the event and reinforcing its historicity. Covenant Warning and National Memory Deuteronomy 29:23 places brimstone within the covenantal framework: the land of Israel, if unfaithful, could resemble “a burning waste of salt and sulfur, nothing planted, nothing sprouting.” The reference leverages the vivid memory of Sodom to reinforce the curses of the covenant, showing that the God who judges nations also preserves the moral order for His people. Wisdom Literature and Personal Accountability Job 18:15 links sulfur to the fate of the wicked individual: “Sulfur is scattered over his dwelling.” The verse personalizes divine retribution, reminding readers that covenant warnings apply at the individual level. Sulfur is not merely cosmic; it reaches private spaces, consuming the ungodly house. Psalms: Present Assurance for the Righteous In Psalm 11:6 David trusts that God “will rain down fiery coals and sulfur on the wicked; scorching wind will be their portion.” The psalm contrasts the security of those who take refuge in the LORD with the certain doom awaiting the wicked. Sulfur therefore becomes a pastoral comfort: justice will ultimately prevail. Prophetic Foreshadowing of Final Judgment Isaiah 30:33 depicts Topheth—traditionally the valley where idolatrous sacrifices occurred—prepared “with a fire made ready with plenty of wood; the breath of the LORD, like a torrent of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze.” Isaiah 34:9 then expands the image to national desolation: “Edom’s streams will be turned to pitch, her dust to sulfur.” The prophets treat sulfur as a preview of eschatological cleansing: present judgments anticipate the final day when all opposition to God will be consumed. Ezekiel’s Eschatological Conflagration Ezekiel 38:22 envisions a future assault on Israel in which the LORD intervenes with “torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur.” The inclusion of sulfur situates the victory within the same moral universe as Sodom, Deuteronomy’s curses, and Isaiah’s oracles. God’s covenant faithfulness requires Him to defend His people and judge their enemies. Old Testament to New Testament Continuity Although gophrith occurs only in the Hebrew canon, the motif continues in Revelation, where “the lake of fire and sulfur” becomes the ultimate destination for Satan, the beast, and the unrepentant (Revelation 20:10, 21:8). This seamless progression affirms the unity of Scripture: temporal judgments teach and foreshadow final realities. Theological Themes 1. Divine Holiness: Sulfur’s purging flames symbolize God’s intolerance of sin. Ministry and Pastoral Application • Proclamation: Preaching on sulfur texts calls for earnest warnings against sin and invitations to repentance through Christ, who bore the curse that sinners deserve. Summary Gophrith stands as a potent biblical symbol of God’s fiery judgment, from Sodom’s fall to the prophetic and apocalyptic horizon. Its seven Old Testament appearances weave a consistent message: the LORD is righteous, He judges wickedness decisively, and He safeguards His covenant purposes, inviting all to seek refuge in His mercy before the moment of consuming fire arrives. Forms and Transliterations גָּפְרִ֔ית גָּפְרִ֣ית גָפְרִֽית׃ גפרית גפרית׃ וְ֭גָפְרִית וְגָפְרִ֗ית וגפרית לְגָפְרִ֑ית לגפרית gā·p̄ə·rîṯ ḡā·p̄ə·rîṯ gafeRit gāp̄ərîṯ ḡāp̄ərîṯ lə·ḡā·p̄ə·rîṯ legafeRit ləḡāp̄ərîṯ Vegaferit wə·ḡā·p̄ə·rîṯ wəḡāp̄ərîṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 19:24 HEB: וְעַל־ עֲמֹרָ֖ה גָּפְרִ֣ית וָאֵ֑שׁ מֵאֵ֥ת NAS: and Gomorrah brimstone and fire KJV: and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire INT: and and Gomorrah brimstone and fire the LORD Deuteronomy 29:23 Job 18:15 Psalm 11:6 Isaiah 30:33 Isaiah 34:9 Ezekiel 38:22 7 Occurrences |
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