Sodom and Gomorrah

These two OT cities, south of the Dead Sea, were destroyed by God with fire and brimstone because of the sexual wickedness of the people.  Abraham’s nephew Lot, his wife and two daughters were the only inhabitants of these grossly evil cities who fled and so didn’t perish in this destruction. However Lot’s wife disobeyed the angels warning, about not looking back towards Sodom, and was turned into a pillar of salt (Gen 10:19, 13:13, 19:16,17,24,26).

Sodom and Gomorrah are mentioned several times throughout the Bible as an example of humanity’s depravity and subsequent judgement and destruction (Isa 13:19; Mt 10:15; Jud 1:7). During his time on earth Jesus said, some of the cities of Israel were far more resistant to the transforming power of God than these OT cities (Mt 11:20-24).

See also: sodomy.