Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Book: Genesis 18-19
• Summary: God destroys the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone, rescuing Lot and his daughters.

Details

After Abraham interceded (asking if God would spare the city for 50, then 45, then 20, then 10 righteous people), God determined there were not even 10 righteous in Sodom.

Two angels visited Lot, who housed them. The men of Sodom demanded the visitors for sexual assault. Lot offered his daughters instead. The angels struck the attackers with blindness, then warned Lot to flee.

Lot hesitated, but angels grabbed him and his family. Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. Lot and his two daughters escaped to Zoar.

Key People Involved

• Lot — Rescued
• Abraham — Interceded
• Lot’s wife — Pillar of salt
• Two angels — Divine rescuers

Key Places

• Sodom — Destroyed
• Gomorrah — Destroyed
• Zoar — Lot’s refuge

Important Verses

• “And, behold, the cry of Sodom is very great, and their sin is very grievous.” — Genesis 18:20
• “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven.” — Genesis 19:24

Cross-References

• Luke 17:28-30 — Jesus references Sodom
• 2 Peter 2:6-10 — Example of judgment
• Romans 1:26-27 — Sodom-like sin
• Jude 7 — “Eternal fire”