Sodom
A city destroyed for its great sin and wickedness.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
Sodom is a city located in the plain of Jordan, near the Dead Sea, known for its extreme wickedness and eventual destruction by divine judgment. It is first mentioned in the border description of the Canaanites (Genesis 10:19) and is described as part of a well-watered plain before its destruction (Genesis 13:10). The city was ruled by King Bera (Genesis 14:2) and was home to Lot, Abraham’s nephew, who pitched his tent toward it (Genesis 13:12).
- Location
- In the plain of Jordan, near the Dead Sea (Genesis 13:10; Genesis 10:19)
- King
- Bera (Genesis 14:2)
- Notable Resident
- Lot (Genesis 13:12; Genesis 14:12)
- Character
- Wicked and sinners exceedingly before the LORD (Genesis 13:13)
- Fate
- Destroyed by brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven (Genesis 19:24)
- Allied Cities
- Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar (Genesis 14:2; Genesis 14:8)
Lore & Background
Sodom is first situated within the border of the Canaanites, extending from Sidon to Gaza and including Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Lasha (Genesis 10:19). Lot chose to dwell in the cities of the plain, pitching his tent toward Sodom, despite the men of Sodom being exceedingly wicked (Genesis 13:12-13). The city was involved in a war where King Bera of Sodom and allied kings fought in the vale of Siddim, which was full of slimepits; the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled and fell there (Genesis 14:2, 8, 10). After the battle, the victors took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and captured Lot, who was living in Sodom (Genesis 14:11-12).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray Sodom as a prosperous but morally corrupt city. Its location in a well-watered plain is noted before its destruction (Genesis 13:10), and its king, Bera, is named in the context of a regional war (Genesis 14:2). The city’s wickedness is explicitly stated: the men of Sodom were sinners exceedingly before the LORD (Genesis 13:13). This wickedness is further demonstrated when the men of the city, from every quarter, surround Lot’s house to assault the angelic visitors (Genesis 19:4). The divine response is direct: the LORD rains brimstone and fire from heaven, destroying the city (Genesis 19:24). Abraham’s intercession (Genesis 18:26) and Lot’s rescue (Genesis 19:1) highlight that judgment was not indiscriminate, but the city as a whole was deemed irredeemable. The aftermath is seen by Abraham as smoke rising from the plain (Genesis 19:28). The passages consistently present Sodom as a symbol of extreme sin and catastrophic divine judgment.
Did You Know?
- Sodom was one of five cities in the plain, including Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar (Genesis 14:2).
- The vale of Siddim, where the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fought, was full of slimepits (Genesis 14:10).
- Lot, Abraham’s nephew, was living in Sodom and was captured during a war (Genesis 14:12).
- The LORD said He would spare Sodom if fifty righteous were found there (Genesis 18:26).
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