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[[Image:Martin destruction sodom640x422.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Destruction of Sodom by God]]

[[Image:Martin destruction sodom640x422.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Destruction of Sodom by God]]

'''Sodom''' was an ancient city located in the Holy Lands.  It was considered by bible scholars to be the sister city of another populated area known as Gommorah.  Both cities were destroyed in 1898 B.C. by God according the Book of Genesis in the Bible. According the the [[Bible]], God rained burning hot [[lava]] onto the city from the sky, and killed all of the inhabitants because of a collective sin.  The Bible also states that Lot's wife "burned in her bosom" for the ways of Sodom and was subsequently killed by God and transformed into a pillar of salt for her admiration of the lifestyle practiced in the city.

'''Sodom''' was an ancient city located in the Holy Lands.  It was considered by bible scholars to be the sister city of another populated area known as [[Gommorah]].  Both cities were destroyed (possibly around 1898 B.C.) by God according the Book of [[Genesis]] in the [[Bible]]. God rained burning hot [[lava]] onto the city from the sky, and killed all of the inhabitants because of their sin.  Those who were righteous, [[Lot]] and his family, were warned to flee before the city was destroyed.  They were warned not to look back, but Lot's wife did so, and was turned into a pillar of salt.

 

==The Story of Sodom==

==The Story of Sodom==

[[Image:sodom1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Location of the Ancient City of Sodom near the Dead Sea.]]

[[Image:sodom1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Location of the Ancient City of Sodom near the Dead Sea.]]

===Sodom in Genesis===

===Sodom in Genesis===

The first few references to Sodom are fairly neutral. We know that it was on the Canaanite border (Genesis 10:19). It was in a fertile, prosperous region (Genesis 13:10). The people of Sodom were "wicked and sinners" before God (Genesis 13:13). The King of Sodom was Bera (Genesis 14:2), and when Bera went to war with Chedorlaomer, Lot was captured. Abraham rescued Lot, and in doing so he rescued Bera and his men. He would not accept any reward for this (Genesis 14).

The first few references to Sodom are fairly neutral. We know that it was on the Canaanite border (Genesis 10:19). It was in a fertile, prosperous region (Genesis 13:10). The people of Sodom were "wicked and sinners" before God (Genesis 13:13). The King of Sodom was Bera (Genesis 14:2), and when Bera went to war with Chedorlaomer, Lot was captured. [[Abraham]] rescued Lot, and in doing so he rescued Bera and his men. He would not accept any reward for this (Genesis 14).

Genesis chapters 18 and 19 contain the most detail about Sodom. At the start of Genesis 18, three angels visit Abraham and Sarah. Abraham welcomes them into his tent. Although he does not immediately recognize them as angels, he nonetheless treats them as honored guests, feeding and making them comfortable.

Genesis chapters 18 and 19 contain the most detail about Sodom. At the start of Genesis 18, three angels visit Abraham and Sarah. Abraham welcomes them into his tent. Although he does not immediately recognize them as angels, he nonetheless treats them as honored guests, feeding and making them comfortable.

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: 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. (Genesis 19:4, 5)

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: 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. (Genesis 19:4, 5)

The entire population of the city - male and female - surrounded Lot's house. That mob had one thing in its collective mind. They wanted to rape the visitors, exactly as the men of Gilbeah would want to rape the Levite in Judges. To protect the angels, Lot offered his own two virgin daughters to take their place in the mass-rape.<ref>Genesis 19:8</ref>

The entire population of the city - male and female - surrounded Lot's house. That mob had one thing in its collective mind. They wanted to rape the visitors, exactly as the men of Gilbeah would want to rape the Levite in [[Judges]]. To protect the angels, Lot offered his own two virgin daughters to take their place to do as they wished.<ref>Genesis 19:8</ref>

Abraham had done everything he could to make the visitors welcome, even though he had never met them before. The people of Sodom wanted to take the visitors out of the comfort of Lot's care and they wanted to physically abuse them in the worst possible way.

Abraham had done everything he could to make the visitors welcome, even though he had never met them before. The people of Sodom wanted to take the visitors out of the comfort of Lot's care and they wanted to physically abuse them in the worst possible way.

The sinful nature of the city was already well established when the angels arrived. Abraham knew what the angels would find, and he knew it would lead to the destruction of the city, and that is why he pleaded that the city should be spared if there were even ten righteous people. The people of Sodom were already being described as wicked at the time of Genesis 13.

The sinful nature of the city was already well established when the angels arrived. Abraham knew what the angels would find, and he knew it would lead to the destruction of the city, and that is why he pleaded that the city should be spared if there were even ten righteous people. The people of Sodom were already being described as wicked at the time of Genesis 13.

===Sodom in Isaiah and Jeremiah (False religion)===

===Sodom in Isaiah and Jeremiah (False religion)===