from עָמַר; a (ruined) heap; Amorah, a place in Palestine; Gomorrah.
Transliteration:ʻĂmôrâh
Pronunciation:am-o-raw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word ʻĂmôrâh (`{{H6017}}`) is a proper noun, transliterated as Gomorrah. It is derived from the root ʻāmar (עָמַר), which conveys the sense of "to heap up" or "to bind sheaves." The base definition provided for ʻĂmôrâh is "a (ruined) heap." This etymological root is profoundly significant, as the name itself inherently foreshadows the city's ultimate fate. While its primary function is to identify a specific geographical location, one of the cities of the plain, the underlying meaning of "ruined heap" imbues the name with a prophetic resonance, indicating a place destined for utter destruction. Its semantic range is therefore narrow in terms of lexical use but broad in its theological implications.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Gomorrah is most famously and frequently mentioned in conjunction with Sodom, forming the archetypal pair representing extreme wickedness and divine judgment. Its first appearance is in [[Genesis 10:19]], delineating the boundaries of Canaanite territory. The pivotal narrative involving Gomorrah unfolds in the Abrahamic cycle:
* **Lot's Choice:** In [[Genesis 13:10]], the "cities of the plain," including Gomorrah, are described as exceedingly fertile and well-watered, likened to the garden of the Lord, which influenced Lot's decision to settle near them.
* **Divine Judgment:** The most significant occurrences are found in [[Genesis 18]] and [[Genesis 19]], where God's righteous judgment against Gomorrah and its sister city, Sodom, is detailed. Their destruction by fire and brimstone, directly from the Lord, serves as a profound demonstration of divine wrath against pervasive sin.
* **Old Testament Prophetic Warnings:** Gomorrah, often paired with Sodom, becomes a perpetual byword for utter destruction and a stark example of divine judgment throughout the Old Testament. Passages such as [[Deuteronomy 29:23]], [[Isaiah 1:9-10]], [[Jeremiah 49:18]], and [[Amos 4:11]] invoke Gomorrah's fate to warn Israel and other nations of the consequences of apostasy, rebellion, and moral corruption.
* **New Testament Eschatological References:** The New Testament continues to employ Gomorrah as a powerful illustrative example. Jesus himself refers to Sodom and Gomorrah as cities that will face a more severe judgment than those rejecting the gospel (e.g., [[Matthew 10:15]], [[Luke 10:12]]). Peter and Jude likewise cite their destruction as a clear precedent for divine judgment against immorality and rebellion (e.g., [[2 Peter 2:6]], [[Jude 1:7]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Sodom (סְדֹם, `{{H5467}}`):** The city most closely associated with Gomorrah, sharing its fate and serving as an inseparable companion in biblical narratives of divine judgment.
* **Cities of the Plain (כִּכַּר הַיַּרְדֵּן):** The collective term for the five cities in the Jordan plain—Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar)—all implicated in the judgment, though only Sodom and Gomorrah are consistently highlighted.
* **Sin (חַטָּאת, `{{H2403}}`; ἁμαρτία, `{{G266}}`):** The fundamental cause of Gomorrah's destruction. While often associated with sexual perversion (as implied in [[Jude 1:7]]), the prophets also expand on their sins to include pride, idleness, and neglect of the poor and needy (e.g., [[Ezekiel 16:49-50]]).
* **Judgment (מִשְׁפָּט, `{{H4941}}`; κρίσις, `{{G2920}}`):** The primary theological concept embodied by Gomorrah's fate, underscoring God's active intervention to mete out justice against unrighteousness.
* **Fire and Brimstone (גָּפְרִית וָאֵשׁ):** The specific means of divine execution against the cities, symbolizing God's purifying wrath and consuming power.
* **Ashes (אֵפֶר, `{{H665}}`):** The physical remnants of Gomorrah, serving as a lasting memorial and a tangible sign of complete and irreversible desolation.
### Theological Significance
The narrative of Gomorrah's destruction carries immense theological weight:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Justice:** It powerfully demonstrates God's absolute dominion over creation and His unwavering commitment to moral order. The judgment on Gomorrah affirms that God is not passive in the face of rampant wickedness but actively intervenes to uphold His righteousness.
* **Warning Against Immorality and Rebellion:** Gomorrah stands as a perpetual, vivid warning against profound moral corruption, particularly those sins that violate God's created order and human dignity. It underscores that unrepentant, pervasive sin invites catastrophic consequences from a holy God.
* **Type of Eschatological Judgment:** The fate of Gomorrah serves as a crucial "type" or foreshadowing of future divine judgments, including the ultimate eschatological judgment. Both Jesus and the apostles use Gomorrah as a paradigm for the severity of God's wrath against unrighteousness in the end times (e.g., [[Matthew 10:15]], [[2 Peter 2:6]]).
* **God's Patience and Limits:** The intercession of Abraham in [[Genesis 18]] reveals God's profound patience and His willingness to spare even a wicked city if a righteous remnant could be found. However, the ultimate destruction of Gomorrah also demonstrates that there are limits to divine patience when sin becomes utterly pervasive and unrepentant.
* **Distinction Between Righteous and Wicked:** The preservation of Lot and his family (despite their own flaws) amidst the destruction highlights God's ability to discern between the righteous and the wicked, and His faithfulness in delivering those who belong to Him.
### Summary
ʻĂmôrâh (`{{H6017}}`), known as Gomorrah, is a proper noun for one of the infamous cities of the plain, whose very name, "a (ruined) heap," proved tragically prophetic. From its initial mention as a fertile region to its cataclysmic destruction by fire and brimstone in Genesis, Gomorrah's narrative serves as a foundational biblical testament to God's uncompromising justice against profound human wickedness. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, Gomorrah, often paired with Sodom, functions as a powerful, enduring symbol and warning against pervasive immorality, rebellion, and a lack of compassion. Its fate provides a stark illustration of divine retribution for unrepentant sin, simultaneously serving as a significant type for future eschatological judgments. The word's enduring theological weight lies in its capacity to convey the severity of God's holy wrath and His unwavering commitment to righteousness.
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