Jude 7

Jude 7

Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving them over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

a. NLT: And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.

b. NIV: 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.

c. YLT: As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, in like manner to these, having given themselves to whoredom, and gone after other flesh, have been set before -- an example, of fire age-during, justice suffering.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: [The wicked are sentenced to suffer] just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the adjacent towns—which likewise gave themselves over to impurity and indulged in unnatural vice and sensual perversity—are laid out [in plain sight] as an exhibit of perpetual punishment [to warn] of everlasting fire.

e. Worrell Translation: Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these given themselves over to fornication, and going away after other flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

f. Wuest Translation: Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them, inlike manner to these [the angels of verse 6], having given themselves over with a complete abandon to fornication, and having gone after a different kind of flesh [from their own, cohabiting with beings of a different nature], are being set forth as a exhibit, undergoing the punishment of everlasting fire.

g. Peshitta Eastern Text: Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring cities which in like manner gave themselves over to fornication, and followed after other carnal lusts, are condemned to judgment and placed under everlasting fire.

1. “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them,…”

a. Even as [Strong: 5613 hos hoce probably adverb of comparative from 3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.]

1). The words “Even as” in this verse link the fornication of the angels with the fornication of Sodom and the other cities of the plain.

b. Sodom [Strong: 4670 Sodoma sod'-om-ah plural of Hebrew origin (5467); Sodoma (i.e. Sedom), a place in Palestine:--Sodom.]

c. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

d. Gomorrah [Strong: 1116 Gomorrha gom'-or-hrhah of Hebrew origin (6017); Gomorrha (i.e. Amorah), a place near the Dead Sea:--Gomorrha.]

e. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

g. cities [Strong: 4172 polis pol'-is probably from the same as 4171, or perhaps from 4183; a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size):--city.]

h. about [Strong: 4012 peri per-ee' from the base of 4008; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching,] (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).]

i. them [Strong: 846 autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

1). There were four cities destroyed:

a). Deuteronomy 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass growth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

2. “…in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh,…”

a. in like [Strong: 3664 homoios hom'-oy-os from the base of 3674; similar (in appearance or character):--like, + manner.]

b. [Strong: 5225 toutois too'-toice dative case plural masculine or neuter of 3778; to (for, in, with or by) these (persons or things):--such, them, there(-in, -with), these, this, those.]

c. manner [Strong: 5158 tropos trop'-os from the same as 5157; a turn, i.e. (by implication) mode or style (especially with preposition or relative prefix as adverb, like); figuratively, deportment or character:--(even) as, conversation, (+ like) manner, (+ by any) means, way.]

d. giving themselves over to fornication [Strong: 1608 ekporneuo ek-porn-yoo'-o from 1537 and 4203; to be utterly unchaste:--give self over to fornication.] [Zodhiates: ek-out or from; porneuo-to commit fornication].

e. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. going [Strong: 565 aperchomai ap-erkh'-om-ahee from 575 and 2064; to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or figuratively:--come, depart, go (aside, away, back, out, ... ways), pass away, be past.] [Zodhiates: To go after someone, to follow as companions or disciples.]

g. after [Strong: 3694 opiso op-is'-o from the same as 3693 with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun):--after, back(-ward), (+ get) behind, + follow.] [Zodhiates: a looking back…Of place, behind…With verbs implying motion as after someone, meaning a following as a disciple or otherwise…]

1). The definitions in the phrase “going after” reveal the religious element to the homosexuality of Sodom. There was a religious element to the homosexuality of Sodom just as there was a religious element to the homosexuality of ancient Judah and just as there is to 21st century America. In Deuteronomy 23:17, 18 God warned Israel. “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” Unger’s Bible Dictionary says of the term “sodomite” “They were not inhabitants of Sodom or their descendants; but men consecrated to the unnatural vice of Sodom as a religious rite.” But this is not the only scriptural evidence of a religious element to homosexuality in ancient Israel. In fact the same Hebrew word for sodomite used in Deuteronomy 23 is used in at least two more occasions. One is 1 Kings 14:24: “And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.” The time this was occurring was about 930 B.C., during the beginning of Rehoboam’s reign as King of Judah. This verse gives us a couple facts, these homosexuals were not only in the land of Israel but they also engaged in every behavior the Canaanites engaged in previous to the LORD kicking them out, which implies a religious element to Canaanite homosexuality. About 300 years later Josiah became King of Judah. Josiah was no doubt the greatest King of Judah. During his reign he implemented godly reforms, one of which was he destroyed the places where homosexuals engaged in their behavior. 2 Kings 23:7 says, “And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.” 300 years previous they were just “in the land”, now they “were by the house of the LORD”. In fact the New American Standard Version says of this verse, they “were IN the house of the LORD”. These “houses” according to Gesenius Hebrew Lexicon were nothing more than “a moveable house, a tent”. If they were in the temple or next to the temple is open to debate, but a couple facts remain, there was a religious element to ancient Israel’s homosexuality, and in the 300 years between Rehoboam and Josiah, Judah’s spiritual culture had degenerated to the degree they allowed homosexuality to infiltrate the temple worship. Just as it was a gradual change in Judah’s spiritual culture, and ours, I believe it was a gradual change in Sodom’s culture as well.

h. strange [Strong: 2087 heteros het'-er-os of uncertain affinity; (an-, the) other or different:--altered, else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange.]

1). There is irony in the use here in this verse of “heteros” to describe homosexual behavior. Normally heterosexual is the word used to describe a normal male or female who are normally drawn towards the opposite sex. Here though, the word heteros is used to describe a homosexual, one who is perversely drawn towards a person of the same sex.

i. flesh [Strong: 4561 sarx sarx probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).]

1). In order to see the context part of the Sodom story needs to be cited.

a). Genesis 19:1-13 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and was your feet, and ye shall rise early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

19:4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

19:5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

19:6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,

19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof,

19:9 And they said, Stand back, and they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

19:10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut the door.

19:11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? Son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and what soever thou hast in this city, bring them out of this place:

19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

b). Genesis 19:24, 25 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

19:25 And he overthrew those cities, all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

2). The Hebrew word for “know” in Genesis 19:5 is according to Gesenius’s Hebrew-Chaldean Lexicon, it is listed as a “euphemism for sexual intercourse”.  It is used this way in Genesis 4:1, “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain,” Likewise in Genesis 4:17, “And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch…”  Gesenius writes, “…verbs of knowing are frequently employed for this euphemism in other languages.”  He then lists examples in Syrian, Arabic, Ethiopian, Greek, Latin, Italian, and French.

3. “…are set forth for an example suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

a. are set forth for [Strong: 4295 prokeimai prok'-i-mahee from 4253 and 2749; to lie before the view, i.e. (figuratively) to be present (to the mind), to stand forth (as an example or reward):--be first, set before (forth).]

b. [an] example [Strong: 1164 deigma digh'-mah from the base of 1166; a specimen (as shown):--example.]

c. suffering [Strong 5254 hupecho hoop-ekh'-o from 5259 and 2192; to hold oneself under, i.e. endure with patience:--suffer.]

d. the vengeance [Strong: 1349 dike dee'-kay probably from 1166; right (as self-evident), i.e. justice (the principle, a decision, or its execution):--judgment, punish, vengeance.

e. of eternal [Strong: 166 aionios ahee-o'-nee-os from 165; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well):--eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).]

f. fire [Strong: 4442 pur poor a primary word; "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning):--fiery, fire.]

1). Before its destruction the area around Sodom was compared to the garden of the LORD, presumably Eden.

a). Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

2). The area was very prosperous.

a). Luke 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

3). They had plenty of food.

a). Ezekiel 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

4). Now the description is desolate.

a). Deuteronomy 29:23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

b). 2 Peter 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly;

5). The inhabitants of those cities seemingly will suffer for eternity the same degree of flame that they died from. Jude writes in verse 7, “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

6). According to Josephus [IV:4], the ruins were still visible in New Testament times. Obviously the example set forth in Scripture is not being heeded in our day, in fact the Biblical example is mocked.