Genesis 19:25

And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

And he overthrew {H2015} those {H411} cities {H5892}, and all the plain {H3603}, and all the inhabitants {H3427} of the cities {H5892}, and that which grew {H6780} upon the ground {H127}.

He overthrew those cities, the entire plain, all the inhabitants of the cities and everything growing in the ground.

Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground.

and he overthrew those cities, and all the Plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

Commentary

Context

Genesis 19:25 describes the catastrophic culmination of God's judgment upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, along with the surrounding cities of the plain. This severe event followed the intense wickedness and moral depravity of their inhabitants, which had become so great that their "cry" reached God, prompting a divine investigation (Genesis 18:20). The narrative highlights God's absolute justice and His decisive response to unrepentant sin, contrasting with His mercy shown in allowing Lot and his daughters to escape before the destruction. Abraham's earlier intercession for the cities underscores that even ten righteous people would have saved them, but none were found.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: This verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty and His righteous judgment against pervasive sin. It serves as a stark reminder that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also just and will not tolerate unbridled wickedness indefinitely.
  • Total Devastation: The comprehensive language – "overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants... and that which grew upon the ground" – emphasizes the completeness of the destruction. This was not merely a partial punishment but a total eradication of life and livelihood in the condemned region, signifying the extreme severity of their sin.
  • Consequences of Sin: Genesis 19:25 stands as a significant biblical example of the dire and widespread consequences that result from widespread moral corruption and rebellion against God's standards. It underscores the principle that sin, when left unchecked, ultimately leads to destruction and ruin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "overthrew" (Χ”ΦΈΧ€Φ·ΧšΦ°, haphak) is significant. It implies a complete turning upside down, a reversal, or a catastrophic overturning. This term vividly depicts a violent and total upheaval, perfectly portraying the seismic and fiery judgment that befell the region. It emphasizes God's direct, powerful, and transformative involvement in the event, rather than a mere natural disaster.

Practical Application

This historical account, while sobering, offers timeless lessons for all generations:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: It reminds us that God takes sin seriously, and there are ultimate, eternal consequences for unrepentant rebellion against Him.
  • God's Patience and Justice: While God is patient and desires all to come to repentance, there comes a point where His justice must prevail. This narrative serves as a warning against complacency in sin and a call to heed divine warnings.
  • The Need for Righteousness: The story highlights the immense value of even a few righteous individuals and the importance of living according to God's will. It encourages believers to be a positive influence and a moral compass in a corrupt world, remembering that believers are called to be salt and light.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 107:34 (4 votes)

    A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

  • Genesis 14:3 (3 votes)

    All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

  • Genesis 13:10 (2 votes)

    ΒΆ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.