SODOM AND GOMORRAH: The Tale of Two Cites

 

Traditionally, believers have viewed the story of Sodom and Gomorrah as timeless proof that God, among other sins, detests homosexuality so greatly that He was willing to destroy these two cities because of it. On the other hand, some liberal or progressive “Christians” claim that the real sin of these two cities was not homosexuality but inhospitality. Both camps base their positions on certain interpretations. Apart from these, however, there are other views on how to understand the story of Genesis 19:1–29. So how should we really understand this story? Today, let us discuss the tale of two cities.

UNDERSTANDING YADA

The main issue lies in the meaning of the Hebrew verb yada in Genesis 19:5:
“And they called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know (Heb yada) them.’”

The basic meaning of the word yada is “to know.” This can either mean “to become acquainted with” or, in a carnal sense, “to have sexual relations.” The context of the passage determines which meaning the author intended. Most Christians believe that the wicked men wanted to sexually abuse Lot’s visitors (in other words, to commit homosexual acts against them), while some groups insist on the other meaning, arguing that the Sodomites only wanted to know who the visitors were (perhaps for security reasons). In this view, their real offense was violating the code of hospitality by demanding that Lot send them out in the middle of the night.

Yet the story clearly shows that the people of Sodom did not merely want to meet Lot’s guests—they wanted to abuse them. Notice how Lot begged them not to “act so wickedly” and even offered his virgin daughters instead (vv. 7–8). If their intent was only to get acquainted with the visitors, Lot would have simply told them to come back the next day for a proper introduction. Furthermore, Hebrew grammar indicates that whenever yada is used with a direct object (as in this case, “know them”), it consistently implies sexual relations. Jude 7 also confirms this by stating that Sodom and Gomorrah “gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion.” It is a far stretch to claim that the sin in question was merely inhospitality. Those who seek biblical approval for a pro-gay ideology often set aside the most natural and obvious interpretation of the text.

WERE HOMOSEXUAL ACTS THE ONLY REASON FOR THEIR DESTRUCTION?

While it is undeniable that the people of Sodom were prepared to commit vile acts to satisfy their lusts, it would be wrong to conclude that their punishment was due only to homosexuality. Other passages make clear that their sins went far beyond this.

Jeremiah 23:14 says: “But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.”

Ezekiel 16:49–50 adds: “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them when I saw it.”

Other texts also point to their sexual immorality and corruption (see Jude 7; 2 Peter 2:7), even when homosexuality itself is not directly mentioned. God’s wrath came upon Sodom and Gomorrah for the totality of their wickedness—not for a single sin alone. To single out homosexual acts as the only reason for judgment, as some Christians do, is a distortion of Scripture.

IS THERE HOPE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED HOMOSEXUAL ACTS?

All have sinned (Rom. 3:23)—not just those who identify as homosexuals or struggle with such sins. Nowhere does the Bible teach that homosexuality is somehow a “greater” sin than others. In fact, in Proverbs 6:16–19, when God lists “six things He hates, seven that are detestable to Him,” homosexuality is not even mentioned. This is not to say homosexual acts are acceptable before God—they are not (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; 1 Cor. 6:9–11; 1 Tim. 1:10, etc.). Rather, it shows that those who pride themselves in thinking they are “holier” than homosexuals should realize that God hates arrogance just as much as He hates every other sin.

The good news of the gospel is this: Christ came to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). He does not want anyone to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). Scripture also affirms that God takes no delight in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:23)—which explains His patience before finally judging Sodom and Gomorrah.

In Christ, there is hope for anyone. God is willing to forgive all who repent, for the sacrifice of Jesus is more than sufficient to cover any sin. And it is His love that should move us, as Christians, to show love and compassion to all people, no matter what sins they carry. Stay Curious.

Source and Study:

Walton, J. and, Keener C. (2016). “See footnotes for Genesis 19:5”. 𝘕𝘐𝘝 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. (p. 49). Zondervan