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Sodom


Sod´uhm

Perhaps the best remembered of the “cities of the Plain” referred to in (Gen 13:12; Gen 19:29). The city’s inhabitants joined with neighbors in fighting the marauding Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam (Gen 14:1). Abraham’s nephew, Lot, chose Sodom for his residence (Gen 13:8-13). Sodom is remembered as a wicked city that brought divine wrath upon it. The Genesis narrative records both attempted sexual perversity and gross inhospitality (Gen 19:1-11). Other writers use Sodom as an example of warning (Deut 29:16-28) and sometimes as an accusation against the covenant people (Amos 4:11; Isa 1:9-11). This principle extends into the NT period, where references to the wickedness of Sodom may still be found (Matt 10:15; Luke 10:12; Rom 9:29; quoting Isaiah).

  • Powell, Mark Allan, ed. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. Abridged Edition. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009.