Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

GENESIS 19:24KJV
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Genesis 19:24 (KJV)

What does Genesis 19:24 mean?

Genesis 19:24 describes how the LORD brought judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by sending down burning sulfur and fire from heaven. This verse shows a dramatic and destructive act, where both cities are punished directly by God’s intervention.

In the story, God is the one acting, and the event takes place just after Lot and his family are led out of Sodom by angels. The verse is part of a larger account where Abraham had pleaded for the cities, but their wickedness led to this outcome. The language emphasizes that the destruction came unmistakably from the LORD, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the divine source of the judgment.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 19:24

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): The personal name for God is used twice in this verse, stressing that the action is unmistakably from Israel’s God, not a natural disaster or another deity.
  • rained (מָטַר, matar): This word is often used for rain, but here it is used for “raining” fire and brimstone, making the destruction seem as certain and overwhelming as a heavy storm.
  • brimstone (גָּפְרִית, gofrit): This refers to burning sulfur, a substance associated with intense fire and destruction, underlining the severity of the punishment.
  • fire (אֵשׁ, esh): The word for fire, paired with brimstone, paints a picture of complete devastation, not just a simple burning but an all-consuming event.

Why Genesis 19:24 matters

  • This verse makes it clear that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was not a random disaster but a direct act of judgment from the LORD, which is important for understanding the seriousness of the cities’ actions in the wider story.
  • The repeated use of God’s name and the vivid description of fire and brimstone highlight the totality and certainty of the judgment, leaving no doubt about its source or purpose.
  • Genesis 19:24 connects to earlier parts of the story where Abraham pleads for mercy, showing that the judgment comes only after opportunities for repentance and warning.