King James Version

What Does Jude 1:7 Mean?

Jude 1:7 in the King James Version says “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going a... — study this verse from Jude chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Jude 1:7 · KJV


Context

5

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

6

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. first estate: or, principality

7

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

8

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh , despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

9

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude's third example of judgment is Sodom and Gomorrah. "In like manner" (Greek ton homoion tropon toutois, τὸν ὅμοιον τρόπον τούτοις) connects this example to the fallen angels—both involved sexual immorality and boundary violation. "Giving themselves over to fornication" (Greek ekporneusasai, ἐκπορνεύσασαι) uses an intensive compound: complete, shameless sexual immorality.

"Going after strange flesh" (Greek apelthousai opisō sarkos heteras, ἀπελθοῦσαι ὀπίσω σαρκὸς ἑτέρας) literally means pursuing "different/other flesh." This refers to the homosexual attempts to assault angels in Genesis 19:4-11. The phrase indicates transgressing natural boundaries God established—seeking sexual relations outside the male-female marital covenant. The cities' judgment wasn't merely for general wickedness but specifically for flagrant sexual immorality that violated created order.

They "are set forth for an example" (Greek prokeintai deigma, πρόκεινται δεῖγμα)—displayed as a warning specimen, exhibited as illustration. Their destruction "suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Greek pyros aiōniou dikēn hypechousai, πυρὸς αἰωνίου δίκην ὑπέχουσαι) serves as visual demonstration of God's final judgment. The temporal fire that consumed those cities (Genesis 19:24-25) illustrates the eternal fire awaiting all who persist in rebellion. The present tense "suffering" suggests ongoing example—the ruins testified to divine judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sodom and Gomorrah became proverbial in Scripture for flagrant wickedness and divine judgment (Isaiah 1:9, 3:9; Jeremiah 23:14; Ezekiel 16:49-50; Matthew 10:15; 2 Peter 2:6). Genesis 18-19 records their destruction for extreme depravity. Ezekiel 16:49-50 identifies their sins as pride, plenty, and neglect of the poor, climaxing in "abominable things." The Genesis account emphasizes sexual perversion—the men of Sodom seeking to gang-rape Lot's angelic visitors.

Archaeological evidence suggests the Dead Sea region experienced catastrophic destruction around 2000 BC, possibly through earthquake and volcanic activity igniting bitumen deposits. Whatever the mechanism, Scripture attributes the destruction to direct divine judgment. The cities' ruins remained visible in Jude's time as testimony to God's wrath against sin.

First-century readers understood this reference clearly. Both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures recognized Sodom as epitomizing sexual depravity and divine judgment. Josephus and other ancient historians referenced Sodom's destruction. Early Christians saw parallels between Sodom's sexual immorality and Greco-Roman culture's acceptance of homosexuality, temple prostitution, and other practices contradicting biblical sexual ethics.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Sodom's judgment warn against sexual immorality and transgressing God's created boundaries?
  2. What does 'eternal fire' teach about the seriousness of sin and the reality of final judgment?
  3. How can churches maintain biblical sexual ethics with both truth and compassion in contemporary culture?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
ὡς1 of 25

Even as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

Σόδομα2 of 25

Sodom

G4670

sodoma (i.e., sedom), a place in palestine

καὶ3 of 25

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Γόμοῤῥα,4 of 25

Gomorrha

G1116

gomorrha (i.e., amorah), a place near the dead sea

καὶ5 of 25

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αἱ6 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

περὶ7 of 25

about

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

αὐτὰς8 of 25

them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πόλεις9 of 25

the cities

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

τὸν10 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὅμοιον11 of 25

in like

G3664

similar (in appearance or character)

τούτοις12 of 25
G5125

to (for, in, with or by) these (persons or things)

τρόπον13 of 25

manner

G5158

a turn, i.e., (by implication) mode or style (especially with preposition or relative prefix as adverb, like); figuratively, deportment or character

ἐκπορνεύσασαι14 of 25

giving themselves over to fornication

G1608

to be utterly unchaste

καὶ15 of 25

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀπελθοῦσαι16 of 25

going

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

ὀπίσω17 of 25

after

G3694

to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)

σαρκὸς18 of 25

flesh

G4561

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

ἑτέρας19 of 25

strange

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

πρόκεινται20 of 25

are set forth for

G4295

to lie before the view, i.e., (figuratively) to be present (to the mind), to stand forth (as an example or reward)

δεῖγμα21 of 25

an example

G1164

a specimen (as shown)

πυρὸς22 of 25

fire

G4442

"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)

αἰωνίου23 of 25

of eternal

G166

perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)

δίκην24 of 25

the vengeance

G1349

right (as self-evident), i.e., justice (the principle, a decision, or its execution)

ὑπέχουσαι25 of 25

suffering

G5254

to hold oneself under, i.e., endure with patience


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Jude 1:7 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 Jude 1:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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