### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun Σόδομα (Sódoma, `{{G4670}}`) is a transliteration of the Hebrew סְדֹם (Sedom, `{{H5467}}`), referring to the ancient city situated in the plain of the Jordan. Its base definition is purely geographical, identifying a specific location in Palestine. However, the semantic range of "Sodom" extends far beyond mere geography due to its profound narrative significance in the Hebrew Bible and its subsequent theological application in the New Testament. It functions as a metonym for extreme wickedness, particularly sexual depravity and egregious inhospitality, and as a powerful symbol of divine judgment and utter destruction. Thus, while its core meaning is a place name, its primary use in biblical discourse is as an archetype of rebellion against God and the inevitable consequence thereof.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Σόδομα (Sódoma) appears nine times in the New Testament, always referencing the infamous city from Genesis 18-19. Its usage consistently serves as a stark example of divine judgment against profound human sin.
In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus frequently invokes Sodom as a benchmark for severe judgment. In [[Matthew 10:15]] and [[Luke 10:12]], Jesus declares that it will be "more tolerable" for Sodom on the day of judgment than for any city that rejects His disciples and their message. This implies that the rejection of the gospel, despite the revelation of God's Son, constitutes a sin even more grievous than the pervasive wickedness that characterized Sodom. Similarly, [[Matthew 11:23-24]] contrasts the unrepentant cities of Capernaum and Bethsaida with Sodom, emphasizing that even Sodom would have repented had it witnessed the miracles performed in those cities, thereby highlighting the greater culpability of those who reject divine truth.
[[Luke 17:29]] recalls the sudden and complete destruction of Sodom by fire and brimstone in the days of Lot, using it as an illustrative parallel to the sudden and decisive coming of the Son of Man. This emphasizes the unexpected nature and severity of eschatological judgment.
In the Epistles, Sodom continues to serve as a powerful object lesson. [[Romans 9:29]] quotes Isaiah 1:9, where the prophet laments that if the Lord of hosts had not left a remnant, Israel would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah. Here, Sodom functions as a type of utter devastation and near-total annihilation, underscoring God's preserving grace for His people.
[[2 Peter 2:6]] explicitly states that God "condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter." This verse unequivocally links Sodom's fate to God's righteous judgment against ungodliness (ἀσέβεια, `{{G763}}`), presenting it as a historical precedent and a warning for all future generations.
Similarly, [[Jude 1:7]] cites Sodom and Gomorrah, along with the surrounding cities, as having "indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire" (πορνεία, `{{G4202}}`, and σὰρξ ἑτέρα, "other flesh"), suffering "the punishment of eternal fire" (πῦρ αἰώνιον, `{{G4442}}`). This passage specifically highlights the nature of Sodom's primary sin as sexual perversion and links its temporal destruction to an eternal consequence.
Finally, [[Revelation 11:8]] uses "Sodom and Egypt" symbolically to describe the spiritual state of Jerusalem, "where also their Lord was crucified." This highly symbolic usage suggests that Jerusalem, despite its privileged status, had become spiritually corrupt, exhibiting characteristics of egregious sin and oppressive bondage, thus deserving of divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of Σόδομα (Sódoma, `{{G4670}}`) is enriched by its connections to several key terms and theological concepts:
* **סְדֹם (Sedom, `{{H5467}}`):** The Hebrew origin of the name, establishing its roots in the Old Testament narrative of Genesis 18-19.
* **Γόμορρα (Gomorra, `{{G1116}}`):** Almost invariably paired with Sodom, emphasizing the collective nature of their wickedness and shared judgment. The destruction of both cities forms a singular, powerful archetype.
* **Πορνεία (porneia, `{{G4202}}`):** Sexual immorality, particularly highlighted by Jude as a primary sin of Sodom. This encompasses a broad range of illicit sexual acts.
* **Ἀσέβεια (asebeia, `{{G763}}`):** Ungodliness or impiety, used by Peter to describe the general character of those whom Sodom's destruction serves as an example. It signifies a lack of reverence and disregard for divine law.
* **Κρίσις (krisis, `{{G2920}}`):** Judgment. The fate of Sodom is consistently presented as an act of divine judgment.
* **Καταστροφή (katastrophe, `{{G2692}}`):** Overthrow or destruction, specifically used by Peter to describe the fate of Sodom.
* **Πῦρ (pyr, `{{G4442}}`) and Θεῖον (theion, `{{G2303}}`):** Fire and brimstone, the specific means of divine destruction visited upon Sodom, symbolizing the intensity and totality of God's wrath.
* **Λώτ (Lot, `{{G3091}}`):** The righteous individual whose deliverance from Sodom's destruction (2 Peter 2:7) highlights God's ability to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked within a corrupt society.
* **Δίκη (dikē, `{{G1349}}`):** Justice or penalty, often implied in the context of Sodom's destruction as a just retribution for its sins.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Σόδομα (Sódoma) is profound and multifaceted, serving as a cornerstone for several key biblical doctrines:
1. **Divine Justice and Retribution:** Sodom stands as the quintessential biblical example of God's righteous and decisive judgment against egregious human sin. Its destruction demonstrates that God is not indifferent to wickedness but will intervene to uphold His moral order. This serves as a foundational truth about God's holy character.
2. **The Severity of Sin:** The narrative of Sodom underscores the destructive power of sin, particularly sexual perversion and a complete disregard for human dignity and divine law. The extent of the city's depravity, as depicted in Genesis 19, illustrates a societal condition so utterly corrupt that it warranted complete eradication.
3. **Warning Against Impenitence:** In the New Testament, Sodom's fate is repeatedly invoked as a stark warning to those who, despite greater revelation (e.g., the gospel message), remain unrepentant. Jesus' pronouncements in the Gospels imply that rejecting the light of Christ makes one's culpability even greater than that of Sodom, highlighting the seriousness of spiritual indifference and unbelief.
4. **A Type of Eschatological Judgment:** The sudden and overwhelming destruction of Sodom by fire and brimstone serves as a powerful type or prefigurement of the final, decisive judgment at the end of time. It illustrates the unexpected nature and comprehensive scope of God's ultimate reckoning, particularly at the return of Christ.
5. **God's Discrimination and Deliverance:** While emphasizing judgment, the narrative also highlights God's ability to discern between the righteous and the wicked. The deliverance of Lot and his family, though imperfect, demonstrates God's mercy and His commitment to preserving His own, even within a context of overwhelming judgment.
6. **Symbol of Utter Corruption:** In Revelation, the symbolic use of "Sodom" for Jerusalem indicates that even a city with a covenantal relationship with God can become so spiritually corrupt as to embody the very essence of rebellion and ungodliness, thereby incurring divine wrath.
### Summary
Σόδομα (Sódoma, `{{G4670}}`) is initially a geographical place name, but its biblical significance transcends mere location. Rooted in the Hebrew narrative of Genesis, it becomes the preeminent archetype of human depravity, characterized by pervasive sexual immorality and a complete rejection of divine and human hospitality. In the New Testament, the memory of Sodom's destruction is consistently invoked as a powerful and solemn warning. It serves as an unassailable testament to God's righteous judgment against unrepentant sin, a benchmark for the severity of spiritual rejection, and a prophetic type of the sudden and comprehensive nature of future eschatological judgment. The fate of Sodom stands as a perpetual reminder of God's holiness, His intolerance for wickedness, and the inescapable consequences for those who persist in rebellion against His divine will.
TRV