When was sodom destroyed

Whether Tall el-Hammam and Sodom were actually the same city is an ongoing debate. The researchers point out that the new study does not offer evidence one way or the other. Livia Gershon is a daily correspondent for Smithsonian. She is also a freelance journalist based in New Hampshire. A massive fire and shockwave caused by the exploding space rock leveled the city, according to the new study.

Zircon is a mineral that can form under extremely high temperatures and pressure, as experienced during the impact of a celestial body on Earth. The researchers found also tiny glass beads on the site. Such spherules are known from other impact sites both on Earth and the Moon. The spherules, they suggest, were created when an asteroid impact vaporized the ground and small droplets of molten rock fall back to Earth. This explanation of the destruction of Tall el-Hammam by an impact poses an intriguing question, was the destruction of the mythological cities Sodom and Gomorrah, as described in the Bible by fire and brimstone, based on a real-life event?

The identification of Tall el-Hammam as the mythological sites of Sodom and Gomorrah is based on the interpretation of some passages in the Bible, describing the land of Sodom as located in the fertile Jordan River plain in the southern region of the land of Canaan. However, this identification is disputed, as many alternative sites have been proposed over time. The presumed destruction around 1, BCE also doesn't seem to fit the biblical chronology.

Hit enter to search or ESC to close. Sodom and Gomorrah addresses gang rape, not a loving relationship. God had already decided to destroy the city prior to this incident. Same-sex rape was a common tactic of aggression and humiliation in the ancient world. Gang rape is completely different from loving relationships based on consent, much less mutuality and commitment. In Judges 19, a Levite and his concubine rest from their travels in the city of Gibeah in the tribe of Benjamin.

A foreigner living in Gibeah offers them hospitality, but "some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house" and said, "Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him" Judges Since this man is my guest, don't do this outrageous thing.

The Bible describes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis , stating:. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.

Her action suggests that she identified with the people of Sodom. Now the story of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a lesson of the consequences of sin and the wrath of God. God reveals to Abraham the destruction of Sodom: Genesis The two who are supposed to have been created angels went toward Sodom.

The one who is called Jehovah throughout the chapter continued with Abraham, and would not hide from him the thing he intended to do. Though God long forbears with sinners, from which they fancy that the Lord does not see, and does not regard; yet when the day of his wrath comes, he will look toward them. The Lord will give Abraham an opportunity to intercede with him, and shows him the reason for his conduct.

Consider, as a very bright part of Abraham's character and example, that he not only prayed with his family, but he was very careful to teach and rule them well. Those who expect family blessings must make conscience of family duty. Abraham did not fill their heads with matters of doubtful dispute, but he taught them to be serious and devout in the worship of God and to be honest in their dealings with all men.

Of how few may such a character be given in our days! How little care is taken by masters of families to ground those under them in the principles of religion! Do we watch from sabbath to sabbath whether they go forward or backward? Abraham's intercession for Sodom: Genesis Here is the first solemn prayer upon record in the Bible, and it is a prayer for the sparing of Sodom.