Sodom (Hastings' Dictionary)
One of the five 'cities of the Plain' in the time of Abraham and Lot, destroyed by fire from heaven (On 19") for the wickedness of the inhabitants.* Its position, ia • Tlie five cities were Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiin, and Zoar (Gn 142, Dt 2923). That tlie language of St Jude is not SODOM, VINE OF SOLOMON 559 the ojiinion of the present writer, was on the Anibab north of the Dead Sea not far from Go- MORRAll (whicli see).
Weijjhty authorities, how- ever, can be cited in favour of a site at the S. enil of theSea(Dillm. Genesis, 111 f. ; Kobinson, BnP-\\. 187 H. ; G. A. Smith, //G/7I. 505 tr. ; Blanckenhorn, ZDPV \\x. (ISlHi) 53 ir.; Baedeker-Socin, Pn/. 3, 140; Buhl, GAP 117, 271, 274; see also art. Zoar). Tho wickedness of tlie Sodomites apjiears to have been so heinous and debasing as to liave become proverbial (Gn 13'^ IS*", La 4«, Is 3», cf. 2 P 2«, Jude ').
The term ' Sodomite ' (ir-ij) is used in Scrip- ture to describe oU'ences against tlie laws of nature which were frequently connected with idolatrous practices (cf. Dt 23", 1 K 14" 15", 2 K 2.3' ; see art. Sodomite). The fate of Sodom and Gomorrah is referred to by our Lord as a warning to those who reject tlie olfer of the gospel (Mt 10" ; cf. Jude', 2 P 2"). A spiritual or typical meaning is applied to the word in Revelation (11^). E. Hull.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Sodom
Sodom sod'-um (cedhom; Sodoma) One of the 5 CITIES OF THE PLAIN (which see), destroyed by fire from heaven in the time of Abraham and Lot (Ge 19:24). The wickedness of the city became proverbial. The sin of sodomy was an offense against nature frequently connected with idolatrous practices (see Rawlinson, History of Phoenicia). See SODOMITE. The fate of Sodom and Gomorrah is used as a warning to those who reject the gospel (Mt 10:15; 11:24; 2Pe 2:6; Jude 1:7). The word is used in a typical sense in Re 11:8. Sodom was probably located in plain South of the Dead Sea, now covered with water. The name is still preserved in Jebel Usdum (Mt. Sodom). ⇒See a list of verses on SODOM in the Bible. See ARABAH; CITIES OF THE PLAIN; DEAD SEA. ⇒See the definition of sod in the KJV Dictionary LITERATURE. Dillmann. Genesis, 111 f; Robinson, BR, II, 187 ff; G. A. Smith, HGHL, 505 ff; Blanckenhorn, ZDPV, XIX, 1896, 53 ff; Baedeker-Socin, Palestine, 143; Buhl, GAP, 117, 271, 274. ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia. George Frederick Wright
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Sodom
(burning), one of the most ancient cities of Syria. It is commonly mentioned in connection with Gomorrah, but also with Admah and Zeboim, and on one occasion— (Genesis 14:1) ...—with Bela or Zoar. Sodom was evidently the chief town in the settlement. The four are first named in the ethnological records of (Genesis 10:19) as belonging to the Canaanites. The next mention of the name of Sodom, (Genesis 13:10-13) gives more certain indication of the position of the city. Abram and Lot are standing together between Bethel and Ai, ver. 3, taking a survey of the land around and below them. Eastward of them, and absolutely at their feet, lay the “circle of Jordan.” The whole circle was one great oasis—“a garden of Jehovah.” ver. 10. In the midst of the garden the four cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim appear to have been situated. It is necessary to notice how absolutely the cities are identified with the district. In the subsequent account of their destruction, (Genesis 19:1) ... the topographical terms are employed with all the precision which is characteristic of such early time…
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Sodom
Chief of the group Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Bela or Zoar (Gen 10:19; Gen 13:3; Gen 13:10-13; Gen 13:19; Luk 17:29; 2Pe 2:6; Jud 1:4-7; Mar 6:11; Mat 10:15; Deu 29:23). (See GOMORRAH) Palmer and Drake traversing the Negeb in a S.E. direction, as far as Mount Hor, made a detour to jebel ("mount") Madherah. At its summit and base are blocks of stone, of which the Arabs say: "a people once dwelt there, to whom travelers came seeking hospitality; but the people did to them a horrible deed, wherefore the Almighty in anger rained down stones, and destroyed them from off the face of the earth." Sodom is interpreted "burning" or else "vineyard" (Gesenius), "fortification" (Furst). Abraham could see the smoke of the burning cities from near Hebron. The Lord over night announced to him Sodom's doom, at some spot on the way from Mamre or Hebron toward Sodom, to which he had accompanied the angels (Gen 18:16). Tradition says the spot was Caphar Berucha, from which the Dead Sea is visible through a ravine. Long ranges of hills intervene between Hebron and Sodom, but from the hill over H…
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia