Topical Bible: Judgments: Sodomites

◄ Judgments: Sodomites ►

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The term "Sodomites" refers to the inhabitants of the ancient city of Sodom, which, along with Gomorrah, was destroyed by divine judgment due to its grievous sins. The narrative of Sodom and its destruction is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, with additional references throughout the Bible that underscore the severity of its transgressions and the resulting divine judgment.

Biblical Account of Sodom's Judgment

The account of Sodom's destruction is detailed in Genesis 18-19. The Lord reveals to Abraham His intention to investigate the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah, stating, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is so grievous" (Genesis 18:20). Abraham intercedes for the cities, and the Lord agrees to spare them if ten righteous people can be found. However, the subsequent events reveal the depth of Sodom's depravity.

In Genesis 19, two angels visit Sodom and are met by Lot, Abraham's nephew, who insists they stay at his home. The men of Sodom, described as wicked, surround Lot's house and demand to have relations with the visitors. Lot's attempt to protect the angels highlights the city's moral corruption. The angels strike the men with blindness and warn Lot to flee with his family, as the Lord is about to destroy the city.

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is executed with divine wrath: "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens" (Genesis 19:24). The cities and their inhabitants are obliterated, serving as a stark warning against sin and disobedience.

Sodom as a Symbol of Sin and Judgment

Throughout the Bible, Sodom becomes emblematic of extreme wickedness and the consequences of divine judgment. The prophets frequently invoke Sodom to illustrate the moral decay of Israel and other nations. Isaiah warns, "Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!" (Isaiah 1:10), using the cities as a metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness.

In the New Testament, Sodom's destruction is referenced as a cautionary example. Jesus warns of the severe judgment awaiting unrepentant cities, stating, "Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town" (Matthew 10:15). The apostle Peter and Jude also cite Sodom and Gomorrah as examples of divine retribution against ungodliness (2 Peter 2:6, Jude 1:7).

Moral and Theological Implications

The judgment of Sodom underscores several key theological themes. It highlights the holiness and justice of God, who cannot tolerate sin indefinitely. The narrative also emphasizes the importance of righteousness and the potential for intercession, as seen in Abraham's plea for the cities. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of moral decay and the necessity of repentance.

The account of Sodom and its destruction remains a powerful testament to the seriousness with which God views sin and the certainty of His judgment against it. The biblical portrayal of Sodomites as emblematic of wickedness serves as a perpetual warning to all generations about the dangers of turning away from God's righteous standards.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 19:23-25
The sun was risen on the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

vincentius of Thibari Said: "We Know that Heretics are Worse than ...
... are the heathens, seeing that they were ranked before the Sodomites for wickedness ...
set forth from a fresh preface to consider the remaining judgments of this ...
/.../chapter 44 85 vincentius.htm

Jehoshaphat
... out of Judah." Verses 5, 6. "And the remnant of the Sodomites, which remained in ...
blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs.
... looks right on" who has thoughts free of passion; and he has true judgments, who
is ... at the time of the flood; and again in the time of the Sodomites, who, not ...
/.../on proverbs from the commentary.htm

Chapter xix
... devised to offset the deficiency is one worthy of the depraved Sodomites, who had ...
which, on the one hand, demonstrates the severity of God's judgments, on the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xix.htm

2 Thessalonians i. 1, 2
... And if the Sodomites had feared they would not have been consumed by fire. ... For hear
the prophet saying, "Thy judgments are always before me." (From Psalm 17:22 ...
/.../homily ii 2 thessalonians i.htm

Matt. xxiv. 33, 34
... drive him to make an excuse for his sin: in that of the Sodomites, that He ... Even these
judgments then are sufficient to show the victory; but that this may be ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxvii matt xxiv 33.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... But neither hath he thus disposed of all men; he hath even of mercy reserved some
from these judgments, and those are they that he will pardon, as he saith ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

The Doctrine
... set upon their spirits, do commonly, and that by the just judgments of God ... The sin
against the Seventh Commandment was punished in the Sodomites, etc., with ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... them most usually; so does God his children, therefore they are called the children
of God; but others do not look like him, therefore they are called Sodomites ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm