What Does "Sodomising" Mean Biblically?
A Careful Look at Sodom's Sin and What Scripture Actually Says
Introduction
The term "sodomising" has entered popular vocabulary as a reference to certain sexual acts, deriving from the biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. However, serious biblical scholarship requires careful examination of what Scripture actually says about Sodom's sin, rather than assuming popular understanding reflects biblical teaching. This study examines the Genesis account alongside other biblical references to Sodom, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture.
For students of theology, biblical ethics, and anyone seeking to understand what the Bible actually teaches about this topic, this comprehensive analysis provides scholarly examination of all relevant passages, presenting evidence fairly and allowing readers to draw informed conclusions based on biblical text itself.
📖 Key Questions Addressed
- What does Genesis 19 actually say? Careful examination of the primary text
- How do other biblical authors reference Sodom? Ezekiel, Jude, Peter, and Jesus
- What sins are explicitly attributed to Sodom? Biblical catalog of Sodom's wickedness
- What is the range of scholarly interpretation? Fair presentation of different views
- What are the theological implications? Application for biblical ethics today
📚 Important Terminological Note
The term "sodomise" or "sodomy" does not appear in most modern Bible translations. This is a later theological and legal term that developed from interpretation of the Sodom narrative. This study will use biblical language and allow Scripture to define the sins involved rather than importing later categories.
The Genesis 19 Account: Primary Text
Genesis 19 contains the primary narrative about Sodom's destruction. Careful attention to the text is essential.
📜 Genesis 19:1-11 - The Key Passage
"The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city... Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.'... Then the men reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door." (Genesis 19:1, 4-5, 10-11, NIV)
Key Observations from the Text
- Visitors: Two angelic beings (appearing as men) came to Sodom
- Lot's Hospitality: Lot welcomed them into his home, following ancient Near Eastern hospitality customs
- Mob Demand: "All the men from every part of the city" surrounded the house
- Explicit Request: "Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them" (Hebrew: yada - know carnally)
- Lot's Response: Offered his daughters instead (itself deeply problematic)
- Divine Judgment: Angels struck the mob with blindness and announced imminent destruction
Other Biblical References to Sodom's Sin
Crucially, Genesis is not the only biblical text that addresses Sodom's sin. Other biblical authors provide interpretive commentary.
📖 Ezekiel 16:49-50
"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen." (NIV)
Note: This passage lists pride, gluttony, neglect of poor, and "detestable things" (Hebrew: toevah - same word used for homosexual acts in Leviticus 18:22).
📖 Jude 7
"In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire." (NIV)
Note: Greek: ekporneusasai (sexual immorality) and apelthousai opiso sarkos heteras (going after strange/other flesh).
📖 2 Peter 2:6-8
"If he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless..." (NIV)
Note: Peter emphasizes Lot's righteousness contrasted with surrounding wickedness.
📖 Jesus' References
Jesus referenced Sodom multiple times (Matthew 10:15, 11:23-24; Luke 10:12, 17:28-30), typically comparing rejection of the gospel to Sodom's wickedness, sometimes mentioning sexual immorality alongside other sins.
Note: Jesus treated Sodom as historical example of judgment.
Scholarly Interpretations: Range of Views
Biblical scholars have interpreted Sodom's sin differently. Fair examination requires presenting the range of scholarly opinion.
Traditional View: Homosexual Rape
Historical Majority PositionThis view holds that the men of Sodom demanded homosexual rape of the angelic visitors. Key evidence includes: the explicit demand for sexual relations with men ("know them"), Jude 7's reference to "going after other flesh" (understood as homosexual), and the lexical connection between "detestable things" in Ezekiel 16:50 and Levitical prohibitions on homosexual acts. This has been the dominant interpretation throughout Jewish and Christian history until recent centuries.
Hospitality Violation View
Alternative InterpretationThis view emphasizes that the primary sin was violation of ancient Near Eastern hospitality codes. The mob's demand to sexually violate guests represented extreme inhospitality. Ezekiel 16:49 is cited as defining Sodom's sin as pride and neglect of poor rather than sexual sin. Proponents argue the text condemns rape and violence, not consensual homosexual relations specifically.
Combined Sins View
Synthetic PositionThis view holds that Sodom was guilty of multiple sins: sexual immorality (including homosexual acts), violence, rape, inhospitality, pride, and neglect of the poor. The biblical evidence is comprehensive rather than exclusive. Genesis 19 emphasizes sexual violence, Ezekiel emphasizes social sins, Jude emphasizes sexual immorality—all are accurate aspects of Sodom's overall wickedness.
Gang Rape Condemnation View
Specific FocusThis view argues the text specifically condemns gang rape and sexual violence, not homosexuality per se. The sin was intended rape of visitors, demonstrating Sodom's extreme depravity. This view distinguishes between violent sexual assault and consensual relations, arguing the text addresses the former not the latter.
Hebrew and Greek Terminology
Careful attention to original language terms is essential for accurate interpretation.
יָדַע (Yada) - "Know"
Hebrew euphemism for sexual relations (Genesis 4:1, 17, 25; 19:5, 8; Judges 19:22). In Genesis 19:5, the demand is clearly sexual. Same word used in Judges 19 parallel account.
תּוֹעֵבָה (Toevah) - "Detestable"
Used in Ezekiel 16:50 for Sodom's "detestable things." Same word used in Leviticus 18:22 for male homosexual acts. Indicates something abhorrent to God.
ἐκπορνεύω (Ekporneuo)
Jude 7: "sexual immorality." Strong term indicating extreme sexual sin. Related to porneia (fornication/sexual immorality).
σὰρξ ἑτέρα (Sarx Hetera)
Jude 7: "other/strange flesh." Interpreted by many as reference to homosexual relations (men seeking men instead of women).
The Judges 19 Parallel Account
Judges 19 contains a strikingly similar narrative that illuminates the Genesis account.
📜 Judges 19:22-25 - Parallel Narrative
"While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, 'Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.'... 'No, my friends, don't be so vile. Since this man is my guest, don't do this outrageous thing.'... But the men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night." (NIV)
Significance of the Parallel
- Same Pattern: Wicked men demand sex with male visitor
- Same Hospitality Context: Host protects guest at all costs
- Same Hebrew Word: Yada used for sexual demand
- Outcome: In Judges, woman is abused; in Genesis, angels intervene
- Interpretive Light: Judges 19 shows this pattern was understood as extreme wickedness in Israel
Comprehensive Biblical Evidence
| Biblical Passage | Sins Attributed to Sodom | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 19 | Sexual violence, homosexual rape demand, inhospitality | Yada (know sexually) |
| Ezekiel 16:49-50 | Pride, gluttony, neglect of poor, detestable things | Toevah (detestable) |
| Jude 7 | Sexual immorality, perversion, "other flesh" | Ekporneuo, sarx hetera |
| 2 Peter 2 | Ungodliness, depraved conduct, lawlessness | Aselgeia (depravity) |
| Jesus (Gospels) | Wickedness, rejection of God's messengers | Comparative judgment |
| Isaiah 1:10-17 | Compared to Sodom; injustice, empty ritual | Social sins emphasized |
| Lamentations 4:6 | Sin greater than Sodom | General wickedness |
Theological Implications
Regardless of interpretive position, several theological conclusions are clear:
⚖️ Sexual Violence Is Condemned
All interpreters agree the Genesis 19 account condemns sexual violence and rape. The mob's demand was inherently violent and coercive. Sexual assault is unequivocally sinful.
🏠 Hospitality Matters
Ancient hospitality codes were serious moral obligations. Violating guest safety was grave sin. Protection of visitors was sacred duty.
💔 Social Sins Are Serious
Ezekiel 16 makes clear that pride, greed, and neglect of poor are serious sins deserving judgment. Sexual sin is not the only path to destruction.
🔥 God Judges Sexual Immorality
Jude and Peter both emphasize sexual dimension of Sodom's sin. God judges sexual immorality. Sexual ethics matter to God.
⚠️ Important Cautions for Biblical Interpretation
- Avoid Proof-Texting: Single verses should not be isolated from broader biblical teaching
- Consider All Evidence: Fair interpretation weighs all biblical passages, not just preferred ones
- Respect Original Context: Ancient Near Eastern context differs from modern Western context
- Distinguish Description from Prescription: Narrative describes events; moral teaching must be derived carefully
- Allow Scripture to Interpret Scripture: Later biblical authors provide inspired commentary on earlier texts
- Acknowledge Interpretive Humility: Some questions may not have definitive answers this side of eternity
Application for Contemporary Discussion
This biblical study has implications for contemporary discussions:
- Accuracy Matters: Those who cite Sodom should accurately represent what Scripture says, not import meanings absent from the text.
- Comprehensive Ethics: Biblical sexual ethics cannot be reduced to single proof-texts. Full biblical teaching must be considered.
- Multiple Sins: Sodom was guilty of multiple sins—sexual, social, and spiritual. No single sin exhausts Sodom's wickedness.
- Grace and Truth: While maintaining biblical sexual ethics, Christians must extend grace to all, recognizing all are sinners in need of redemption.
- Social Justice: Ezekiel 16 reminds us that neglect of poor and vulnerable is serious sin. Biblical ethics encompasses both sexual and social righteousness.
📖 Key Takeaways
- Genesis 19 records mob demanding homosexual rape of angelic visitors—clearly condemned as wicked
- Ezekiel 16:49-50 lists pride, gluttony, neglect of poor, and "detestable things" as Sodom's sins
- Jude 7 emphasizes sexual immorality and "going after other flesh" as Sodom's sin
- Scholarly interpretations range from homosexual rape focus to hospitality violation to combined sins
- Hebrew yada clearly indicates sexual demand; toevah indicates detestable acts
- Judges 19 provides parallel narrative confirming understanding of sexual violence
- All interpreters agree sexual violence and rape are condemned unequivocally
- Sodom's sins were comprehensive—sexual, social, and spiritual wickedness
- Biblical interpretation requires weighing all relevant passages, not selective citation
- Contemporary application requires both biblical fidelity and gracious engagement
Conclusion
The question "What does 'sodomising' mean biblically?" requires careful, honest engagement with all relevant Scripture. The Genesis 19 account clearly depicts a mob demanding homosexual rape of visitors—an act universally condemned as wicked. Ezekiel 16 adds that Sodom's sins included pride, greed, and neglect of the poor alongside "detestable things." Jude 7 emphasizes sexual immorality and perversion. The biblical evidence is multi-faceted.
Scholarly interpretations vary, with legitimate debate about whether the primary condemnation is of homosexual acts specifically, sexual violence generally, hospitality violation, or comprehensive wickedness including all of the above. What is clear: sexual violence is condemned, social sins matter, God judges immorality, and Sodom serves as warning example throughout Scripture.
For contemporary Christians, the call is to biblical fidelity—representing Scripture accurately rather than importing meanings—combined with grace toward all people. Sodom's ultimate sin was comprehensive wickedness that rejected God's ways entirely. The remedy is not merely avoiding specific acts but wholehearted turning to God in faith and repentance.
"Let Scripture speak for itself. Let us be faithful to what it actually says, neither adding nor subtracting. And let us remember that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God—yet God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 3:23, 5:8, paraphrased)