Sodom and Gomorrah
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Sodom and Gomorrah were very wicked places. In Genesis 18 God tells Abraham that he is planning on destroying the city of Sodom because of their sin and immorality. Abraham asked God not to destroy the city and God agreed if Abraham could find 50 righteous people living there. The number then went down to 45, then 30, then 20, and even 10. There was only one righteous man found living in Sodom, Abraham's nephew Lot. God's angels told Lot to take his family and leave because God was going to follow through with his plans. The angels took him, his wife and daughters safely out of the city. The angels then warned them not to look back or they would be destroyed. When the sun had risen, they were all safe in the city call Zoar that was in the valley. "Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens" (Genesis 19:24 ). As the cities were being destroyed, Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. The Bible indicates that more cities than Sodom and Gomorrah were burned up that day.
Alleged Discovery of Sodom and Gomorrah
Today, many people believe that they have found the devastated ruins of these ancient cities, although others question the credibility of these assertion. The suspected sites are thought to be located exactly on a fault line along the eastern side of a plain south of the Dead Sea. Bab edh-Dhra, which is thought to be the modern name for Sodom, and Numeira, thought to be Gomorrah, were destroyed at the same time by some catastrophe that left debris about three feet thick. The Associates for Biblical Research published an article in 1999 reporting the "The Discovery of the Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah".[1]
In 1980, Ron Wyatt observed some strange formations near the Dead Sea, which are believed by some to be the remains of large city structures. Sulfur balls have also been discovered in the region. According to Genesis 19:24 God rained down burning sulfur on the cities and the entire plain.[2]
The evidence used to support this discovery include:
- Satellite maps of the area
- Formations that look like buildings
- Sulfur Balls
- Subterranean deposits of a petroleum-based substance called bitumen
Answers In Genesis generally disputes Wyatt's claims. For this particular discovery, they point out that sulfur balls have been known to occur naturally, and chemical testing from 'building ash' at the site indicates that the formations are not burnt buildings.[3]
Related References
- The Discovery of the Sin Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, by Bryant G. Wood, Bible and Spade, Summer 1999, pp. 67-80.
- Is there any evidence for the Biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction by fire and brimstone (sulfur)? by ChristianAnswers
- Cities of the Plain? Wyatt Archaeological Research
- Sodom and Gomorrah Rediscovered by The Bible Research Company
- Sodom and Gomorrah: The Cities of the Plain Ash and brimstone remain report of Ron Wyatt findings.
- Has the Ark of the Covenant been found? Creation 21(2):10–14 March 1999. Answers in Genesis comments on the claims of the discovery of Sodom and Gomorrah and other sites by Ron Wyatt
- Sodom and Gomorrah by Wikipedia
- Sodom and Gomorrah by Center for Natural Studies
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