Genesis describes how Sodom and Gomorrah were consumed by fire because of pervasive wickedness; the episode includes Abraham’s bargaining for any righteous people, Lot’s welcoming of two visitors, the city dwellers’ attempt to assault those visitors, and the cities’ destruction while Lot’s household escapes (Genesis 18:16–33; Genesis 19:1–29 KJV).
Central moral and theological themes
- Justice and accountability — The story presents God as a judge who acts when a society’s wrongdoing becomes entrenched, demonstrating that entire communities can face consequences for collective misconduct (Genesis 18:20–21; Genesis 19:24–25 KJV).
- Hospitality and the value of the stranger — Lot’s defense of his guests stands in stark contrast to the mob’s aggression, making the treatment of outsiders a key moral measure in the narrative (Genesis 19:1–8 KJV).
- Mercy and intercession — Abraham’s pleading with God shows a divine openness to mercy for the sake of the righteous, while also revealing limits to how far intercession can avert judgment (Genesis 18:22–33 KJV).
Social and ethical readings
- Systemic injustice rather than isolated acts — The text can be read as condemning broad civic failures (oppression, failure to protect the vulnerable, inhospitable social structures) rather than focusing solely on private sexual transgressions; Ezekiel later lists arrogance and neglect of the poor among Sodom’s crimes (Ezekiel 16:49–50 KJV).
- Communal responsibility — The narrative invites reflection on how social norms, authorities, and institutions enable abuse to continue, portraying destruction as the outcome of long-term moral decay (Genesis 19:4–11; Genesis 19:24–25 KJV).
- Moral desensitization — The ease with which cruel behavior becomes accepted in Sodom serves as a caution about gradual ethical decline and the hazards of indifference (Jude 1:7 KJV).
Literary and symbolic dimensions
- Typology and warning — Later scriptural writers and interpreters employ Sodom and Gomorrah as symbols to caution whole peoples or cities about impending judgment when injustice goes unchecked (Matthew 10:14–15; Luke 17:28–30 KJV).
- Contrast and irony — The narrative’s moral force is heightened by contrasts (Abraham vs. the cities, Lot vs. his neighbors, guests vs. aggressors), which clarify what right conduct looks like under pressure (Genesis 18:16–33; Genesis 19:1–11 KJV).
Contemporary implications and questions
- Modern hospitality and public ethics — The story presses modern readers to consider how communities treat strangers, migrants, and marginalized groups, and whether institutions protect or exploit them (Genesis 19:1–8; Ezekiel 16:49 KJV).
- Public justice and communal health — It prompts debate about when systemic failings warrant decisive action and how to balance mercy with accountability in addressing societal wrongs (Genesis 18:20–33 KJV).
- Resisting reductive readings — Responsible interpretation resists boiling the story down to a single issue; instead it treats the account as a layered critique of relational, civic, and spiritual breakdown (Genesis 19:12–29; Jude 1:7 KJV).
Quick reading guide
- Read Genesis 18–19 for the core narrative and Abraham’s intercession (Genesis 18:1–33; Genesis 19:1–29 KJV).
- Consult Ezekiel 16:49–50 and Jude 1:7 for later reflections that highlight Sodom’s sins and their typological use (Ezekiel 16:49–50; Jude 1:7 KJV).
- See Matthew 10:14–15 and Luke 17:28–30 for New Testament allusions and applications (Matthew 10:14–15; Luke 17:28–30 KJV).
Genesis 18:16–33 KJV
16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. 17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. 22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. 23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked that that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes: 28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 29 And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake. 30 And he said, Let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure there shall be thirty found there. And he said, I will not do it if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. 32 And he said, Let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure there shall be ten found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. 33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Genesis 19:1–29 KJV
1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; 2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. 3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. 9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. 10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. 12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. 14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy the city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. 15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are herein; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. 17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. 18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in that thou hast saved my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: 20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, is it not a little one? and my soul shall live. 21 And he said unto him, See, there is a place, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 22 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. 23 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; 24 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 25 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. 26 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD: 27 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. 28 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembred Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt. 29 But when he overthrew the cities of the plain, God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.