What was the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah?
In Genesis 19 God rained fire on two cities of the Jordan plain because of their entrenched, public wickedness — sexual violence, oppression, pride, and indifference to the poor (Ezekiel 16). Lot’s family was rescued; Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt.
The sin of Sodom is described broadly in Scripture: "pride, excess of food, prosperous ease… they did not aid the poor and needy" (Ezekiel 16:49). The attempted assault in Genesis 19 is one symptom of a deeper rot.
Abraham’s intercession (Genesis 18) shows God is gladly merciful — he would have spared the city for ten righteous people. The destruction is not capricious; it is the limit of long-extended patience.
Jesus uses Sodom as a warning of judgment and Lot’s wife as a warning against half-hearted rescue. "Remember Lot’s wife." Pursue the salvation God offers; don’t look back.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.