King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:24 Mean?

Genesis 19:24 in the King James Version says “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 19:24 · KJV

Context

22

Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. Zoar: that is, Little

23

The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. risen: Heb. gone forth

24

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

25

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

26

But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Read Genesis 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
יְהוָ֖ה1 of 12

“Then the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הִמְטִ֧יר2 of 12

“rained”

H4305

to rain

עַל3 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

סְדֹ֛ם4 of 12

“upon Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וְעַל5 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֲמֹרָ֖ה6 of 12

“and upon Gomorrah”

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

גָּפְרִ֣ית7 of 12

“brimstone”

H1614

properly, cypress-resin; by analogy, sulphur (as equally inflammable)

וָאֵ֑שׁ8 of 12

“and fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

מֵאֵ֥ת9 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֖ה10 of 12

“Then the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מִן11 of 12
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃12 of 12

“out of heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 19:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 19:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 29:23Isaiah 13:19Jude 1:72 Peter 2:6Amos 4:11Jeremiah 50:40

Places in This Verse

GomorrahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E24 verses across 11 books
SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
View all places in Genesis 19 →

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