When you look at passages such as Deuteronomy 32:32-33, Isaiah 3:9-16, Jeremiah 23:14, and Ezekiel 16:49, you see multiple references to Sodom’s (and Israel’s) sin of pride and hatred. Why was Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt? The Lord informed Abraham that “the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous.” Verses 22-33 record Abraham pleading with the Lord … The SIN of Sodom in short: Ezekiel said, while condemning the people of Jerusalem, shortly before the city was destroyed, Ezekiel explicitly stated the source of Sodom‘s guilt; “behold, this was the iniquity of those sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. They had settled in an area near the Dead Sea, with Lot and his followers choosing to make their stead in Dead Sea plains. The earth was rich in nutrients, as well as precious minerals. Note 5. Sodom and Gomorrah. Words like haughty, bitter, venom, wanton, idleness, (when they could have been helping others) leap out of the verses as a description of a self-absorbed, hedonistic people who cared nothing for others. You're almost done! The first was an outworking of the second. Biblically, one could see the initial validity of making this argument—but it is placing all the emphasis on verse 49 and ignoring verse 50. For those who uphold biblical inerrancy and authority, the answer is obvious—yes! Can this apparent contradiction be explained? What were Admah and Zeboiim in the Bible. All in all, a virtual garden of Eden. First of all, my goal here is not to bash anybody, to make anybody feel bad. But we must keep in mind that God was also ready to show mercy. "What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah?" But we must keep in mind that God was also ready to show mercy. Answer: The biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah is recorded in Genesis chapters 18-19. Psalm 51:4). They were also guilty of the sin of greed. by Kevin DeYoung, 101 Frequently Asked Questions About Homosexuality by Mike Haley. The Bible is not contradicting itself when it states that Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin was sexual immorality and pride (and its related lack of concern for others). Had there been … of something morally repugnant and is most frequently translated as “abomination” or a “detestable” act or thing. Some have even postulated that this may be one reason Lot didn’t offer his wife—she was most likely from Sodom, therefore an “insider.” To address the potential question that the rape of the women would not have been as humiliating as the rape of men during this time period and in the Middle East, we need to keep in view what happened about 100 years later in Genesis 34. It occurs in Genesis 19:1-29. See … But what was the primary sin of Sodom (and Gomorrah and the nearby cities of the plain)? So, some theologians and scholars have claimed, especially based on Ezekiel 16:49, that the real sin of Sodom was not homosexual behavior, but that God judged them for pride. Editor’s note: This discussion of this disturbing biblical account contains terminology that may not be appropriate for sensitive readers. Liberal theologians and scholars and biblical critics have turned the tables on Genesis 19 and conclude that it is actually teaching homophobia. There are far too many examples of pro-isolationism in the Bible to even consider the notion that isolationism was their problem. Notice the wording of this passage in Genesis 19:4–9,3 they wanted Lot to offer them the men (angels in the form of men) as sexual playthings. God can and does judge upon the motives of the heart, but he can and does also judge on the physical actions. 12 No.1 (1999). Before I answer, I just want to make a couple of comments. What city could ever be worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah? Instead, the overall sin of Sodom and Gomorrah had become so great that fewer than ten righteous people lived in the city. In fact, only Lot and his two daughters survived. You can also sign up for our free print newsletter (US only). Genesis chapter 18 records the Lord and two angels coming to speak with Abraham. While this latter sin is mentioned in the second half of Ezekiel 16:49, it is not (as posited in the second quote above) the primary sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. And they also had Lot living among them, who though weak was described as a righteous man by the Apostle Peter. Some have argued that rape was the primary sin of Sodom. In contrast to Lot's gracious hospitality, which includes preparing a feast for his guests, the men surround Lot's house … Question: “What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah?” Answer: The biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah is recorded in Genesis chapters 18-19. Sexual “immorality” is a the practice of sexual acts that are not moral, not according to us but to God. Admah and Zeboim were included but Zoar was spared. Confirmation in Other Scriptures. From a biblical inerrancy standpoint, the primary outward sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is definitively settled in the book of Jude which states in Jude 1:7, “as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire”. The names Sodom and Gomorrah (1) are bywords in our modern society. It was homosexuality to the extreme. Therefore, the reference to their wickedness and ordained destruction by God beforehand (in Genesis 13:13 and 18:20) is entirely appropriate, because it was sexual sin (in this case homosexuality) which God considered “grievous” or “grave,” then later condemned and destroyed Sodom (and the other cities of the plain) for. For a good discussion of this see Greenberg, page 201, footnote 91. Try downloading another browser like Chrome or Firefox. They were a prideful people and delighted in cruelty and neglected any form of social justice. The story represents, for Christianity, a tale "of homophobic genocide" signifying the "culture's desire that gay people not be".4, Thus, even if the angels had been consenting, it is wrong to read the Sodomite's demand as anything else but an act of abuse of outsiders. Why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! The Bible is not contradicting itself when it states that Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin was sexual immorality and pride (and its related lack of concern for others). Please refresh the page and try again. They had seen him worship God with Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-20) and refuse to financially benefit from Sodom’s riches (Genesis 14:21-24). They are repeatedly compared with Sodom and Gomorrah in their evildoing and depravity. Thank you for signing up to receive email newsletters from Answers in Genesis. Surprisingly, both appeal to Scripture to support their positions, most notably Ezekiel 16:49 and Jude 1:7. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version. What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? The people of Sodom ignored all of these things, and rather than be forewarned by them and repent, they continued sinning. There appear to be four main sins espoused, but only two by conservative Jewish and Christian theologians and scholars. But haven’t Christians always understood the sin of Sodom to be same-sex behavior? Contextually, that is poor exegesis. But as mentioned above, much of this is based on reading Ezekiel 16:49 in isolation (neglecting the rest of the Bible) and comparing Genesis 19 with other ancient Middle Eastern cultures, ancient Greek cultic prostitution, and even modern Middle Eastern countries. It was homosexualism; it had nothing to do with “inhospitality.” In closing, it is very important to know that, while homosexualism is indeed a sin (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-11), it is forgivable! That was not the original interpretation of the Sodom story, which dates back to the 14th century BC. Although their sins of pride, sexual immorality, inhospitality, and cruelty were committed against other people—ultimately, they were a direct offense against God. Genesis 19 tells the story of how God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness, but spared Lot and his family (mostly). The propensity for violence, rape, and adultery (which must have also been occurring in Sodom, since there were no women present at this mob scene) are all factors here though. Genesis 18:20 KJV And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; The sin committed in these cities and the surrounding cities was crying out to God in heaven. Sodom, Gomorrah along with three other cities formed a large settlement at the terminus of the Jordan River. It’s also the same word used in Leviticus 18:22 when addressing homosexual acts. Volumes 1 & 2. The Lord informed Abraham that "the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous." Terms of Service apply. A third and fourth “sin explanation” has gained popularity in recent years, primarily in liberal Christian scholarship, but it is not deduced from an exegetical reading of Scripture. But is it? https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250180760_Women_of_Sodom_and_Gomorrah_Collateral_Damage_in_the_War_against_Homosexuality, Noah’s Flood: a Historical, Global Catastrophe. Here’s the answer. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before meTherefore I did away with them as you have seen. Why did Lot offer up his daughters to be gang raped? Zachary Pierce, “Let Us Not Be Like Sodom: Revisiting the Cultural Critique of Genesis 19:1–11 in an Age of Political Violence.” Academia.edu website, Accessed July 24, 2019, https://www.academia.edu/37585122/Let_Us_Not_Be_Like_Sodom_Revisiting_the_Cultural_Critique_of_Genesis_19_1_11_in_an_Age_of_Political_Violence. Genesis 18:20 says, “And the Lord said, ’The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.’” Indeed, not even ten righteous people could be found in the city. The people of Nineveh were also wicked (Jonah 1:2) and violent (Jonah 3:8) and yet they were spared because they repented of their evil ways and called on God for forgiveness (Jonah 3:10). For Genesis 19, the ideology is homophobia; the existence of the words 'sodomy' and 'sodomite' testify to its sorry career in Christianity. One such example is listed below: Another recent hypothesis about the main sin of Sodom (and one which is often taught in concert with the “rape” hypothesis) is the lack of hospitality position. So yes, Sodom was judged for homosexual sin—which flowed from pride, which also led to cruelty and exploitation of their fellow men and women. Michael Carden, “Compulsory Heterosexuality in Biblical Narratives and their Interpretations: Reading Homophobia and Rape in Sodom and Gibeah,” Australian Religion Studies Review, Vol. Jesus taught his disciples this very thing in Matthew 15:18–20. Please follow the instructions we emailed you in order to finish subscribing. If you covet in your heart, that can lead to stealing. Jude 7 . Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Simply put, even the women of the city were unrighteous and wicked, so the blame cannot simply be on the actions of these men. We know because of Abraham's intercession. … Pride is a fountain of many sins because it effectively is saying, “I want what I want, and I will have it regardless of what God says or the cost to someone else because I am better than they are and deserve it.” If that lustful passion is for “strange flesh” or “unnatural desire” as Jude 1:7 terms it, then that can lead to homosexual behavior. What Was the Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? We need to keep in mind that it was God, the righteous judge (2 Timothy 4:8) who condemned Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities on the plain. Rather than reading the attempted rape of the angels as an instance of homosexual violence I believe it should be more accurately read as an instance of homophobic violence.5. Even these lexicographers—who may or may not be Bible believers—understand the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. All sin is an offense to God and demonstrates mankind’s rebellion against him. It’s a deep valley and before these cities were overturned the Jordan branched out into a delta, watering the earth well and sprouting rich, lush greenery. Sodom and Gomorrah along with the cities of Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar (Bela) constituted the five “cities of the plain,” and they are referenced throughout both the Old and New Testaments and the Qurʾān . So here’s a big question and a tough issue: What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? The traditional list, is summarized in the Catechism which states The catechetical tradition also recalls that there are “sins that cry to heaven”: the blood of Abel, the sin of the Sodomites, the cry of the people oppressed in Egypt, the cry of the foreigner, the widow, and … Parents are cautioned. is that it was homosexuality . Sodom and Gomorrah were so infamous for their immorality that God destroyed them by fire (Genesis 19). In light of the passage, the most common response to the question "What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah?" Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. Sodom and Gomorrah and their fiery fate crop up in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, in the Torah, and in the Quran. This was the real sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. The fate of these cities is held up by religious conservatives to justify the suppression of non-heterosexual people and to fan hatred of same sex eroticism and gender fluidity. New Living Translation. So let’s start with examining that position. All of these are manifestations of pride itself. The outcry was for justice toward their sin. Conditionalists often appeal to this verse because it says that Sodom and Gomorrah were reduced to ashes and that the destruction of the cities is an example for the ungodly. 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