Brimstone, often referred to as sulfur in modern terminology, is a significant element in biblical literature, symbolizing divine judgment and purification. The term "brimstone" appears frequently in the Bible, often in conjunction with fire, to depict God's wrath and the consequences of sin.

Biblical References:

1. Sodom and Gomorrah: One of the most notable mentions of brimstone is in the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19:24 states, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens." This event serves as a powerful illustration of God's judgment against extreme wickedness and immorality.

2. The Plagues of Egypt: In the book of Exodus, brimstone is indirectly referenced during the plagues that God sent upon Egypt. While brimstone itself is not explicitly mentioned, the seventh plague, which involved hail mixed with fire (Exodus 9:23-24), can be seen as a manifestation of divine wrath similar to the imagery of brimstone.

3. Prophetic Warnings: The prophets frequently used brimstone as a symbol of impending judgment. Isaiah 30:33 describes a place prepared for the king, "its pyre made deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, sets it ablaze." This imagery underscores the severity of divine retribution.

4. The Final Judgment: In the New Testament, brimstone is prominently featured in the book of Revelation. Revelation 21:8 warns, "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." Here, brimstone is part of the eternal punishment for those who reject God.

Symbolism and Theological Significance:

Brimstone symbolizes the purifying and destructive power of God's judgment. Its association with fire emphasizes the intensity and totality of divine wrath against sin. The use of brimstone in biblical texts serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the holiness of God, who cannot tolerate sin.

In a broader theological context, brimstone represents the ultimate separation from God for those who persist in rebellion. It is a vivid depiction of the reality of hell, where unrepentant sinners face eternal punishment. The imagery of brimstone and fire is intended to provoke a response of repentance and reverence towards God, highlighting the need for salvation through Jesus Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient times, brimstone was a well-known substance, often associated with volcanic activity. Its pungent smell and flammable nature made it a fitting symbol for divine judgment. The biblical authors used familiar elements from the natural world to convey spiritual truths, making the message accessible and impactful for their original audience.

Overall, brimstone in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for God's righteous judgment and the serious consequences of sin, urging believers to live in accordance with God's will and to seek His mercy and grace.An inflammable mineral substance found in quantities on the shores of the Dead Sea. The cities of the plain were destroyed by a rain of fire and brimstone (Genesis 19:24, 25). In Isaiah 34:9 allusion is made to the destruction of these cities. This word figuratively denotes destruction or punishment (Job 18:15; Isaiah 30:33; 34:9; Psalm 11:6; Ezek. 38:22). It is used to express the idea of excruciating torment in Revelation 14:10; 19:20; 20:10. 1. (n.) Sulphur; also passionate, fiery rhetoric or preaching.

2. (a.) Made of, or pertaining to, brimstone; as, brimstone matches.

BRIMSTONE

brim'-ston, brim'-stun (gophrith; to theion): The word translated "brimstone" probably referred originally to the pitch of trees, like the cypress. By analogy it has been rendered "brimstone" because of the inflammability of both substances. Sulphur existed in Palestine in early times and was known by most of the ancient nations as a combustible substance. In the vicinity of the Dead Sea, even at the present time, deposits of sulphur are being formed. Blanckenhorn (ZDPV, 1896) believes that this formation is due to the action of bituminous matter upon gypsum, as these two substances are found associated with each other in this district. Travelers going from Jericho to the Dead Sea may pick up lumps of sulphur, which are usually encrusted with crystals of gypsum. Deuteronomy 29:23 well describes the present aspect of this region. That the inhabitants of the land had experienced the terrors of burning sulphur is very probable. Once one of these deposits took fire it would melt and run in burning streams down the ravines spreading everywhere suffocating fumes such as come from the ordinary brimstone match. No more realistic figure could be chosen to depict terrible suffering and destruction. It is not at all unlikely that during some of the disastrous earthquakes which took place in this part of the world, the hot lava sent forth ignited not only the sulphur, but also the bitumen, and added to the horrors of the earthquake the destruction caused by burning pitch and brimstone.

The figurative use of the word brimstone to denote punishment and destruction is illustrated by such passages as Deuteronomy 29:23 Job 18:15 Psalm 11:6 Isaiah 30:33 Ezekiel 38:22; Luke 17:29 Revelation 9:17.

James A. Patch

2303. theion -- brimstone
... brimstone. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: theion Phonetic Spelling:
(thi'-on) Short Definition: brimstone, sulfur Definition: brimstone, sulfur. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2303.htm - 6k

2306. theiodes -- of brimstone
... of brimstone. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: theiodes Phonetic Spelling:
(thi-o'-dace) Short Definition: of brimstone, sulfurous Definition: of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2306.htm - 6k

1614. gophrith -- brimstone
... 1613, 1614. gophrith. 1615 . brimstone. Transliteration: gophrith Phonetic
Spelling: (gof-reeth') Short Definition: brimstone. Word ...
/hebrew/1614.htm - 6k

In the Thirteenth Chapter of Revelation Two Beasts are There ...
... we are told, "And the Beast was taken, and with him the False Prophet[hellip]these
both were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone," and then ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the thirteenth chapter of.htm

Seventh Commandment
... Whoremongers shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death. . . . For without are whoremongers. . . ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/seventh commandment.htm

Of the Erythr??an Sibyl, who is Known to have Sung Many Things ...
... inherit; T Those who are guilty shall burn in fire and brimstone for ever. ... judged.
R Rivers of fire and brimstone shall fall from the heavens. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 23 of the erythraean sibyl.htm

Appendix
... These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." Now if the
"False Prophet" is the Anti-christ, then who is "the Beast" that is cast ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/appendix.htm

The Sinner Sentenced.
... "He hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath
of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, shall kindle it;" (Isa.30:33) and ...
/.../chapter vi the sinner sentenced.htm

Argument. --Moreover Also, from the Fact that He who was Seen of ...
... the guest of Abraham on the destruction of the people of Sodom, it is declared:
"Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrha fire and brimstone from the ...
/.../chapter xviii argument moreover also from.htm

The Fear which Terminates in the Second Death.
... Revelation xxi.8. "The fearful"shall have their part in the lake which burneth
with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.". ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xx the fear which.htm

On Justice and Goodness.
... of the deluge, or the fate of those who are described as perishing in it, or the,
destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by a shower of fire and brimstone, or the ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter v on justice and goodness.htm

The Doom of the Antichrist
... full sight of his countless armies, he is seized by the angels of the Lord, to be
hurled alive into the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (GH Pember ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the doom of the antichrist.htm

The Swift Destroyer
... Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord
out of heaven; And He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift destroyer.htm

Brimstone (14 Occurrences)
... The cities of the plain were destroyed by a rain of fire and brimstone (Genesis
19:24, 25). ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BRIMSTONE. ...
/b/brimstone.htm - 14k

Lake (45 Occurrences)
... of the Lake of Gennesaret or Sea of Galilee, and (Revelation 19:20; Revelation
20:10, 14, 15; Revelation 21:8) of the "lake of fire and brimstone." Lakes are ...
/l/lake.htm - 24k

Issued (40 Occurrences)
... Revelation 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them,
having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads ...
/i/issued.htm - 18k

Fire (602 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 has "the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone." The brimstone
in connection with "the lake of fire" occurs also in Revelation 19:20 and 10 ...
/f/fire.htm - 78k

Jacinth (4 Occurrences)
... Revelation 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them,
having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads ...
/j/jacinth.htm - 8k

Gomor'rah (23 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD caused to rain upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah
brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; (See RSV). ...
/g/gomor'rah.htm - 13k

Proceedeth (21 Occurrences)
... Revelation 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them,
having breastplates 'as' of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone: and the ...
/p/proceedeth.htm - 13k

Burneth (67 Occurrences)
... that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they
two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone: (ASV). ...
/b/burneth.htm - 28k

Breast-plates (2 Occurrences)
... Revelation 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them,
having breast-plates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads ...
/b/breast-plates.htm - 7k

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning,
that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like ...
/z/zeboim.htm - 11k

Is hell literally a place of fire and brimstone? | GotQuestions.org

What is hellfire preaching? Is hellfire preaching biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org

Brimstone: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus