What Did God Hate About Sodom?

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The modern theory says 'the sin of inhospitality,' but the more obvious answer makes more sense​

The best-known biblical passage that directly concerns homosexual behavior is the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18-19. It is unfortunate that this passage so often takes center stage in debates about Scripture and homosexuality, since it is a narrative and thus does not in itself provide a norm of conduct. To add to the difficulty, the passage does not explicitly name the wrongdoing for which these cities are punished. Was it homosexual behavior, or was it hostility toward strangers—sometimes described as “inhospitality”?

Interpretive Clues​

One clue for interpreting the story is provided by the context in which it appears. Immediately before the Sodom episode is the Lord’s visit to Abraham and Sarah at the oaks of Mamre, promising the birth of their son (Gen. 18:1-15). Immediately after the Sodom episode is the account of Lot’s incestuous relations with his daughters (19:30-38).

The Sodom story is thus framed by two contrasting stories about sexual relations. The first, that of Abraham and Sarah, shows a married couple who trust in God and conform to his plan, leading to great blessing in the birth of their son Isaac and ultimately the people of Israel. The other, that of Lot and his daughters, is about distrust in God (cf. 19:31) and disorder in sexual relationships, leading to future troubles in the birth of Ammon and Moab, ancestors of Israel’s historic enemies. This frame suggests that sexuality also plays a key role in the central section, the Sodom story itself (Gen. 18:16-19:29).

Another very suggestive parallel is that both the Mamre and Sodom stories are about a divine visitation. In one, the Lord is welcomed with extraordinary humility and hospitality; in the other, the Lord (represented by the angels) is treated with extraordinary contempt and hostility. In fact, this parallel provides the deepest clue to the meaning of the story. The fundamental question is how human beings will respond to God.

Finally, a third significant parallel is between the Sodom episode and the account of Noah and the Flood (Gen. 6-8). Both depict catastrophic destruction as a result of grave evil. In both cases, the evil includes both sexual immorality and violence, and in both, God mercifully spares one man and his family.19

The Story of Sodom​

Continued below.