Genesis 19:24

¶ Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Then the LORD {H3068} rained {H4305} upon Sodom {H5467} and upon Gomorrah {H6017} brimstone {H1614} and fire {H784} from the LORD {H3068} out of heaven {H8064};

Then ADONAI caused sulfur and fire to rain down upon S'dom and 'Amora from ADONAI out of the sky.

Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens.

Then Jehovah rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Jehovah out of heaven;

Commentary

Commentary on Genesis 19:24

Genesis 19:24 describes the climactic moment of divine judgment upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, a powerful demonstration of God's justice against profound wickedness. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of persistent sin and God's holy character.

Context

This dramatic event follows a series of significant interactions. The chapter opens with two angels arriving in Sodom, welcomed by Lot, Abraham's nephew. The wickedness of the city's inhabitants is immediately apparent as they surround Lot's house, demanding access to the visitors for immoral purposes. God's decision to destroy the cities was not arbitrary but a response to their egregious sin, as highlighted in Genesis 18:20-21. Prior to the destruction, Abraham had interceded for the cities, pleading with the Lord to spare them if righteous people could be found, even down to ten, showing God's willingness to relent for the sake of the righteous (see Genesis 18:23-33). However, not even ten righteous individuals were found. The angels then urgently led Lot and his family out of the city, warning them not to look back, culminating in Lot's escape just before the devastation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The verse vividly portrays God's active involvement in judging sin. The raining of "brimstone and fire" is a direct, supernatural act of God, demonstrating His absolute authority and His righteous indignation against rebellion and moral depravity.
  • Consequences of Sin: Sodom and Gomorrah stand as eternal examples of the destructive power of unrepentant sin. Their obliteration underscores the principle that widespread and persistent wickedness ultimately brings about severe divine retribution.
  • God's Sovereignty: The phrase "from the LORD out of heaven" emphasizes that this was not a natural disaster but a divinely orchestrated act. God is sovereign over all creation and can use any means to execute His will and judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "brimstone and fire" (Hebrew: גָּפְרִית וָאֵשׁ, gophrith vā'ēsh) is a powerful descriptor. "Brimstone" refers to sulfur, a flammable mineral that burns with a suffocating odor. The combination with fire paints a picture of complete and devastating incineration, leaving nothing but desolation. This imagery is later used in the Bible as a metaphor for ultimate destruction and eternal judgment (see Revelation 20:10).

Practical Application

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a timeless warning. It reminds us:

  • God is Holy and Just: He will not indefinitely tolerate sin. While He is merciful and patient, there is a limit to His forbearance.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: This event highlights the gravity of moral corruption and the importance of living righteously. Jesus Himself referenced the judgment on Sodom as a warning about the urgency of repentance (see Luke 17:29).
  • The Importance of Separation: Lot's rescue, though not without personal loss, underscores God's desire to deliver the righteous from impending judgment. Believers are called to be separate from the world's corruption.
  • God's Consuming Fire: The imagery of fire reminds us that "our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29), implying both His purifying presence and His judgment against evil.

Genesis 19:24 is a foundational text demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness in the face of human wickedness.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 29:23 (9 votes)

    [And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

  • Isaiah 13:19 (7 votes)

    ¶ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

  • Jude 1:7 (6 votes)

    Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

  • 2 Peter 2:6 (5 votes)

    And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

  • Amos 4:11 (5 votes)

    I have overthrown [some] of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 50:40 (5 votes)

    As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour [cities] thereof, saith the LORD; [so] shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.

  • Zephaniah 2:9 (4 votes)

    Therefore [as] I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.