What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah?

Response

The biblical narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah is documented in Genesis. Genesis 18 recounts the Lord and two angels visiting Abraham. The Lord informed Abraham that “the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous” «And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; », (Genesis 18:20). Verses 22–33 depict Abraham pleading with the Lord for mercy on Sodom and Gomorrah due to the presence of righteous individuals. Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and his family resided in Sodom.

Genesis 19 narrates the arrival of the two angels, disguised as men, in Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot encountered the angels in the city square and invited them to stay at his house, which they accepted. The Bible then exposes the wickedness in the hearts of the people of Sodom: “Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them’” (Genesis 19:4-5). The angels proceeded to blind the men outside and instructed Lot and his family to flee the city as God’s judgment was imminent. Subsequently, “the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities” (Genesis 19:24-25).

«Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; », (Genesis 19:24).

What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? According to Genesis 19, the sin involved homosexuality. The very name of that ancient city has given us the term sodomy, in the sense of “copulation between two men, whether consensual or forced.” Clearly, homosexuality was part of why God destroyed the two cities. The men of Sodom and Gomorrah wanted to engage in homosexual acts with what they thought were two men.

This is not to say that homosexuality was the sole reason why God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Ezekiel 16:49–50 provides further insight: “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and committed morally repugnant acts before me.” So, the sins of Sodom included pride, apathy, complacency, idleness, and lack of concern for the underprivileged.

Ezekiel 16:50 adds that a sin of Sodom was that they did “morally repugnant acts.” The Hebrew word translated as “morally repugnant” refers to something that is morally disgusting. It is the same word used in Leviticus 18:22, where homosexuality is labeled as an “abomination.” Jude 1:7 also states: “Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion.” So, once again, while homosexuality was not the exclusive sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, it does seem to be the primary reason for the destruction of those cities.

Those who try to rationalize the biblical condemnations of homosexuality argue that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was inhospitality. That is one of the sins—the men of Sodom and Gomorrah were certainly being inhospitable. There is perhaps nothing more inhospitable than homosexual gang rape. However, to claim that God obliterated two cities and all their inhabitants solely for being inhospitable overlooks some obvious details.

In addition to other transgressions, Sodom and Gomorrah were guilty of various sins, with homosexuality being the primary cause for God’s destruction of the cities. The cities were obliterated along with all their residents by fiery sulfur as a consequence. Even now, the region where Sodom and Gomorrah once stood is a barren wasteland. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah stands as a significant illustration of God’s stance on sin overall, particularly homosexuality.