The Hebrew word ʻĂmôrâh, represented by H6017, is the name for the city of Gomorrah, a place in Palestine. It appears 19 times across 19 unique verses in the Bible. The word's base definition is "a (ruined) heap," which foreshadows its ultimate fate in the biblical narrative.
In the biblical narrative, Gomorrah is almost always mentioned alongside its sister city, Sodom H5467. It is first identified as a location on the border H1366 of the Canaanites H3669 Genesis 10:19. The city had its own king H4428, Birsha H1306, who went to war H4421 against invading kings Genesis 14:2. The defining event for Gomorrah is its total destruction due to its great sin H2403 Genesis 18:20, which was so grievous H3513 that the LORD H3068 rained H4305 upon it brimstone H1614 and fire H784 from heaven H8064 Genesis 19:24. Prior to this, the plain where it was located was described as well watered and like the garden H1588 of the LORD Genesis 13:10, but afterward, the land was left a desolate wasteland of brimstone and salt H4417 Deuteronomy 29:23.
Several related words illuminate the context of Gomorrah's story:
- H5467 Çᵉdôm (Sodom): Defined as a "burnt... district," Sodom is the city most frequently paired with Gomorrah. Their shared fate solidifies their role as a single entity in prophetic warnings and historical accounts Genesis 19:24.
- H4114 mahpêkâh (overthrow): Meaning "a destruction," this term is repeatedly used to describe the divine judgment that befell the cities of the plain, establishing the "overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah" as a definitive act of God Deuteronomy 29:23.
- H1614 gophrîyth (brimstone): This word, meaning "sulphur," describes the specific substance the LORD rained down upon Gomorrah. It represents the fiery and total nature of the city's judgment Genesis 19:24.
The theological weight of H6017 is profound, serving as a lasting symbol throughout Scripture.
- Divine Judgment for Sin: Gomorrah stands as a primary example of God's judgment against unrepentant wickedness H7451 Jeremiah 23:14. Its destruction was not a natural disaster but a direct act of the LORD's anger H639 and wrath H2534 in response to the city's grievous H3513 sin (Genesis 18:20, Deuteronomy 29:23).
- An Archetype of Total Desolation: The fate of Gomorrah becomes the scriptural benchmark for complete and irreversible ruin. Prophets foretell that mighty Babylon H894 and the nation of Moab H4124 will be overthrown and made a perpetual desolation H8077 just like Gomorrah (Isaiah 13:19, Zephaniah 2:9).
- A Metaphor for Moral Corruption: The prophets use Gomorrah to confront the sins of their own people. The corrupt leaders of Jerusalem are addressed as "ye people of Gomorrah" Isaiah 1:10. The Lord declares that without His mercy in leaving a remnant H8300, Israel itself would have been made "like unto Gomorrah" Isaiah 1:9.
In summary, ʻĂmôrâh H6017 transcends its identity as a historical place to become a powerful biblical symbol. Paired with Sodom, Gomorrah serves as the definitive illustration of divine judgment against sin and the resulting utter desolation. Its name is invoked by the prophets as a solemn warning, transforming a "(ruined) heap" into an enduring lesson on the consequences of wickedness and the mercy of God in sparing a remnant.
TRV