Sodom and Gomorrah

In the Bible, (סְדֹם) Sodom and (עֲמֹרָה) Gomorrah were two cities destroyed by God for their sins. In Hebrew Sodom, a city in the Valley of Siddim near the south end of the Dead Sea, which with three others was destroyed in the time of Abraham and submerged in the Dead Sea. (numerous: Gen 10:19 - Rev 11:8) Hence vines of Sodom, which were probably degenerated and inferior, (comp. the apples of Sodom Jos. B. J. 4. 8.4) are put Deut. 32 as the emblem of a degenerate state:

For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of poison; their clusters are bitter;

comp. Jer. 2:21:

Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?

Also judges of Sodom, i. q. unjust and corrupt judges, Is. 1:10:

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

The name may signify burning, conflagration, as being built on a bituminous soil and therefore perhaps exposed to frequent fires; comp. the name Karaxixavfiivtj given to a part of Phrygia. Or it may be i. q. nallE field, vineyard, q. v.— On the site and catastrophe of Sodom.

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