Sodom
SODOM [SOD um] — a city at the southern end of the Dead Sea destroyed because of its wickedness (Gen. 10:19; Rom. 9:29). Together with her sister cities—Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar—Sodom formed the famous pentapolis of the plain or circle of the Jordan (Gen. 10:19; 13:10; 14:2) in the valley that surrounded the Dead Sea (Gen. 14:3).
Although Sodom was a notoriously wicked city, when Lot separated himself and his herdsmen from Abraham, he chose to pitch his tent toward Sodom (Gen. 13:5–13). This was because the fertile plain that surrounded the city “was well watered everywhere” (Gen. 13:10).
When Sodom was plundered by Chedorlaomer, the goods and captives he carried away had to be rescued by Abraham (Gen. 14:11, 21–24). However, the wickedness of the people of the city continued, and God finally had to destroy Sodom.
Fire and brimstone fell from heaven and consumed Sodom and Gomorrah and the other cities of the plain. When Lot’s wife looked back at Sodom, she was instantly changed into a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:26).
Early tradition held that the northern end of the Dead Sea was the Valley of Sodom. But the geological conditions of the southern end of the Dead Sea matched those of the area around Sodom. Salt formations, asphalt, and sulfur are found in large quantities here. Many scholars believe the cities of the plain may be located beneath the shallow end of the Dead Sea. The basin surrounding the shallow southern end of the Dead Sea is fed by five streams, including the Wadi Zered (Num. 21:12), which would have provided for a fertile, well-watered plain. In addition, Zoar, one of the cities of the plain (Gen. 13:10), is reported by the Jewish historian Jo-sephus to have been visible during his time at the southern end of the sea. Other scholars have recently claimed that the most likely site for the cities of the plain is on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea opposite Masada.
The sin, vice, and infamy of Sodom and the judgment of God on this city is referred to often throughout the Bible (Is. 1:9–10; Ezek. 16:46–49; Amos 4:11; Rom. 9:29).
Youngblood, Ronald F. ; Bruce, F. F. ; Harrison, R. K. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1995
Created about 2 years ago
