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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 one of five ancient [[Canaanite]] (Gn. 10:19) "cities of the Plain", (Gn. 13:10) , along with its sister city of iniquity, [[Gommorah]], and  Admah, Zeboim and Lasha. The Bible records that Sodom and Gommorah were destroyed because, among other sins, they, "and the cities about them in like manner, [were] giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh", and thus  "are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (Jude 1:7 [[KJV]]) The "cities about them" would be Admah, and Zeboim. (Dt. 29:23; Hos. 11:8) Their destruction was by means of brimstone (thought by some to be hot [[lava]]) and fire from heaven, but which was preceded by the confirmation of the wickedness of Sodom by angels of God (appearing as men), and deliverance of righteous Lot and those of his family who went with him. Lot's wife however, disobeyed the command of the angels not to look back, and was turned into a pillar of salt. This region later became part of the the Holy Land of Israel.   

'''Sodom''' was one of five ancient [[Canaanite]] (Gn. 10:19) "cities of the Plain", (Gn. 13:10) , along with its sister city of iniquity, [[Gommorah]], and  Admah, Zeboim and Lasha. The Bible records that Sodom and Gommorah were destroyed because, among other sins, they, "and the cities about them in like manner, [were] giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh", and thus  "are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (Jude 1:7 [[KJV]]) Biblical texts confirm that "the cities about them" would be or would include Admah, and Zeboim. (Dt. 29:23; Hos. 11:8) Their destruction was by means of brimstone (thought by some to be hot [[lava]]) and fire from heaven, but which was preceded by the confirmation of the wickedness of Sodom by angels of God (appearing as men), and deliverance of righteous Lot and those of his family who went with him. Lot's wife however, disobeyed the command of the angels not to look back, and was turned into a pillar of salt. This region later became part of the the Holy Land of Israel.   

==Dr. Bryant Wood's Archaeological Investigation in Relation to Sodom==  

==Dr. Bryant Wood's Archaeological Investigation in Relation to Sodom==  

Dr. Wood provides some additional material in relation to archaeological evidence for the biblical city of Sodom.<ref>[http://www.johnankerberg.com/Articles/_PDFArchives/science/SC3W0903.pdf The Discovery of the Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Part 1 of 2]</ref><ref>[http://www.johnankerberg.com/Articles/_PDFArchives/science/SC3W1003.pdf The Discovery of the Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah—Part 2]</ref>

Dr. Wood provides some additional material in relation to archaeological evidence for the biblical city of Sodom.<ref>[http://www.johnankerberg.com/Articles/_PDFArchives/science/SC3W0903.pdf The Discovery of the Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Part 1 of 2]</ref><ref>[http://www.johnankerberg.com/Articles/_PDFArchives/science/SC3W1003.pdf The Discovery of the Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah—Part 2]</ref>

===Sodom in Genesis===

==The story of Sodom==

Sodom  was on the Canaanite border (Genesis 10:19), and is recorded as being part of a fertile, prosperous region, (Genesis 13:10) which would be highly desirably in an agrarian based economy.  However, 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. In response, [[Abraham]], then called Abram, using his own trained servants, rescued Lot as well as Bera and his men. This was the first recorded example of a [[just war]] in the Bible. However, Abraham would not accept any reward for this. (Genesis 14)  

Sodom  was on the Canaanite border (Genesis 10:19), and is recorded as being part of a fertile, prosperous region, (Genesis 13:10) which would be highly desirably in an agrarian based economy.  However, 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. In response, [[Abraham]], then called Abram, using his own trained servants, rescued Lot as well as Bera and his men. This was the first recorded example of a [[just war]] in the Bible. However, Abraham would not accept any reward for this. (Genesis 14)  

However, this offer is refused, and instead the crowd threatens to do worse to Lot then they would have done to his guests, and press sore upon him, almost breaking the door. In response, Lot's angelic guests pull him inside, shut the door, and strike the men with blindness, no doubt revealing to the Sodomites that Lot's guests were no ordinary men. Lot is then commanded by the angels to gather his family and leave, revealing that the Lord will destroy the region. However, Lot's sons in law do not believe him, and while Lot himself lingers, the angels take him and his wife and their two daughters by the hand, "the LORD being merciful unto him", and set them outside the city. The angels also command Lot and his family not to look back under any circumstances. However, as Sodom and Gomorrah were being destroyed by fire and brimstone from God, Lot's wife looks back at the city, and becomes a pillar of salt.

However, this offer is refused, and instead the crowd threatens to do worse to Lot then they would have done to his guests, and press sore upon him, almost breaking the door. In response, Lot's angelic guests pull him inside, shut the door, and strike the men with blindness, no doubt revealing to the Sodomites that Lot's guests were no ordinary men. Lot is then commanded by the angels to gather his family and leave, revealing that the Lord will destroy the region. However, Lot's sons in law do not believe him, and while Lot himself lingers, the angels take him and his wife and their two daughters by the hand, "the LORD being merciful unto him", and set them outside the city. The angels also command Lot and his family not to look back under any circumstances. However, as Sodom and Gomorrah were being destroyed by fire and brimstone from God, Lot's wife looks back at the city, and becomes a pillar of salt.

==The example of Sodom==

===The example of Sodom===

Sodom is often used in the Bible as an example of a people given to iniquity, and the climatic utter destruction of Sodom is invoked as an example of the wrath of God against ongoing impenitence and sin.  However, it is also seen as a story of the salvation of God, by His deliverance of God-fearing Lot, while Jesus referred to Lot's wife in warning not to look back to that which God has called the redeemed to leave behind. (Lk. 17:31,32)<ref>Matthew Henry, Gen 19:26</ref>   

Sodom is often used in the Bible as an example of a people given to iniquity, and the climatic utter destruction of Sodom is invoked as an example of the wrath of God against ongoing impenitence and sin.  However, it is also seen as a story of the salvation of God, by His deliverance of God-fearing Lot, while Jesus referred to Lot's wife in warning not to look back to that which God has called the redeemed to leave behind. (Lk. 17:31,32)<ref>Matthew Henry, Gen 19:26</ref>   

{{bibleverse||Luke|17:28-29|KJV}}, uses Sodom as an example of indifference; careless living.  

{{bibleverse||Luke|17:28-29|KJV}}, uses Sodom as an example of indifference; careless living.  

   

   

== Additional biblical References to Sodom and Gomorrah ==

==== Additional biblical References to Sodom and Gomorrah ====

* (Eze. 16:49)

* (Eze. 16:49)

* (Gen. 13:13)

* (Gen. 13:13)

This is understood by some as evidencing that the cause of Sodom's judgment was inhospitality.<ref>Bailey, Homosexuality and Western Tradition, pp. 1-28; McNeil, Church and the Homosexual, pp. 42-50;  Boswell, Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality, pp. 92-97</ref>  Countering this it is pointed out that the reason Jesus codemned those cities was "because they repented not." (Mt. 11:20), which, as in the inhospitably of Sodom, was the roor cause of their rejection of the disciples of the Lord.<ref>[http://homosexvsthebible.wikia.com/wiki/Homosexual_relations_and_the_Bible#Ezekiel_16:49_and_inhospitality_texts Homosexual relations and the Bible]</ref>

This is understood by some as evidencing that the cause of Sodom's judgment was inhospitality.<ref>Bailey, Homosexuality and Western Tradition, pp. 1-28; McNeil, Church and the Homosexual, pp. 42-50;  Boswell, Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality, pp. 92-97</ref>  Countering this it is pointed out that the reason Jesus codemned those cities was "because they repented not." (Mt. 11:20), which, as in the inhospitably of Sodom, was the roor cause of their rejection of the disciples of the Lord.<ref>[http://homosexvsthebible.wikia.com/wiki/Homosexual_relations_and_the_Bible#Ezekiel_16:49_and_inhospitality_texts Homosexual relations and the Bible]</ref>

==Sodom in Jude==

===Sodom in Jude===

The most explicit reference to Sodom in the New Testament is found in the short book of Jude, in which one aspect has seen some varied interpretations.   

The most explicit reference to Sodom in the New Testament is found in the short book of Jude, in which one aspect has seen some varied interpretations.