Interesting Facts

• Gomorrah was one of four cities in the plain built by men from the family of Ham.
• The people of Gomorrah, along with those of Sodom and the other cities of the plain, engaged in abominable acts with each other’s wives and daughters during their four annual gatherings in a valley with water and herbage.
• Like Sodom, Gomorrah had ruling judges who enforced perverse laws.
• The inhabitants of Gomorrah, similar to the Sodomites, participated in the cruel custom of demanding payment for unintentionally causing another’s blood to flow.
• The people of Gomorrah shared in the lack of compassion for the poor with the other cities of the plain, even burning alive those who offered aid.

Genealogy

• Gomorrah was founded by one of the four men from the family of Ham who went to the land of the plain.
• This man built a city in the plain and called it Gomorrah after his own name.
• The Gomorrahites were the descendants of this son of Ham who settled in the city of Gomorrah and multiplied there.

Historical Context

Gomorrah’s emergence is situated in the post-flood world, as descendants of Noah’s sons, including Ham, established various settlements. Gomorrah, alongside Sodom, Admah, and Zeboyim, was founded in a fertile plain. The period was characterized by the building of cities and the naming of these cities after their founders, a practice observed by the Hamitic families. The culture of Gomorrah, as depicted in the sources, became deeply corrupted, marked by extreme wickedness, perverse social customs, and a lack of compassion. This moral decay paralleled that of Sodom and ultimately led to divine judgment upon both cities. The narrative highlights a period where, despite potential for prosperity, some societies descended into grave sinfulness, inviting severe consequences.

Narrative

The narrative of Gomorrah is intertwined with that of Sodom and the other cities of the plain, primarily characterized by their collective wickedness before the Lord. The Gomorrahites participated in the abominable practices of the region, including the licentious gatherings and the cruel treatment of strangers and the poor. When a coalition of kings, led by Chedorlaomer, attacked and plundered Sodom and Gomorrah, taking Lot captive, this event brought the plight of these cities to Abraham’s attention. Later, the grievous sins of Sodom and Gomorrah prompted the Lord to send messengers to investigate, ultimately leading to the decision to destroy them. Despite Abraham’s intercession on behalf of any righteous individuals, the pervasive wickedness of Gomorrah, alongside Sodom, sealed its fate. The city was ultimately destroyed by brimstone and fire from the Lord, a judgment that served as a divine retribution for their extreme sinfulness and a warning for future generations against similar depravity. The narrative of Gomorrah underscores the consequences of widespread moral corruption and the finality of divine judgment upon unrepentant wickedness.