Genesis 19 Footnotes

19:4-8 The term sodomy is derived from this passage. It is widely held that the severity of God’s judgment against Sodom was prompted by the prevalence of homosexuality there. This view is disputed by religious homosexuals. Lot’s offer of his virgin daughters (vv. 7-8) certainly indicates a pervasive environment of sexual sin, not limited to homosexuality. Nevertheless, God had already said that Sodom’s sin was “extremely serious” (18:20), and homosexuality is the sin spotlighted in this text (19:5). Paul also makes clear that homosexual behavior is a tragic part of the downward spiral of mankind’s sinful rebellion against God and that it invites God’s wrath (Rm 1:26-27).

19:24-25,27-29 The truth of this entire chapter has been questioned due to a supposed lack of related archaeological evidence. A plausible explanation for that absence is that the locations of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities of the plain are now under the Dead Sea. It is possible that an earthquake (common to the area) caused the south end of the Jordan River to dam up, creating a body of water so thick in mineral content that it has not been feasible to carry out significant exploration of the depths. Thus, the Dead Sea may have locked away evidence of these ancient cities.

19:30-38 This explanation of the origins of the Moabites and Ammonites should not be taken as approval of the incestuous actions of Lot’s daughters. The narrative describes what happened but in no way condones it. Even in Messiah’s family tree three of the four women mentioned (Tamar, Rahab, and “Uriah’s wife”) had questionable moral backgrounds (Mt 1:2-16). Providentially, the Lord used them in spite of the stigma attached to their names.