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Cities of the Plain -

The banks of the Jordan River was home not only to Sodom and Gomorrah, but three other cities. These five were collectively referred to as the Cities of the Plain.

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Are these cities talked about in the Bible too? -

Admah and Zeboim are mentioned in Deuteronomy 29:22-23, while Genesis 19:23 identifies the third city as Zoar.

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Did God destroy these other cities? -

Admah and Zeboim, like Sodom and Gomorrah, were also deemed sinful and were destroyed. It's just that these cities weren't as well known or as popular. 

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What about the third city? -

Zoar, however, escaped God's punishment due to Lot (Abraham's nephew) seeking shelter within its walls. 

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Homosexuality may not be at fault -

For centuries, homosexuality has been blamed for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. However, an alternate interpretation suggests that the cities fell because of their residents' lack of hospitality towards strangers. 

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Or perhaps it was -

The explanation for homosexuality is based on Genesis 19:5, where a group of men from Sodom asked Lot: "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."

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It doesn't stop there -

The account is further reinforced in Jude 7, which states: "Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion."

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But then again, perhaps it wasn't -

In the past, to act in an unwelcome manner was a significant issue. According to Matthew 10:14-15, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town."

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What was the sin in the end? -

The situation is quite complex. Unfortunately, even the Bible fails to provide clarity on the matter. So, let's dig deeper into this confusing topic, shall we? Ezekiel 16:49 reads: "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy". This description paints a picture of a city consumed by sin and self-centeredness. 

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Add a dash of adultery to enhance the situation -

Jeremiah 23:14 contributes to the discussion by stating,  "And among the prophets of Jerusalem. I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. [...] They are all like Sodom to me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

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Those cities were pretty unruly... but one man deserved a chance to escape -

According to 2 Peter 2:6-9, Lot was spared by God as he was deemed a righteous man. With his daughters, Lot successfully escaped and remained unharmed. Unfortunately, Lot's wife succumbed as she disobeyed God's command not to look back, resulting in her transformation into a pillar of salt.

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Family ties -

According to the ancient Jewish book 'Genesis Rabbah,' Lot's escape from sin city led to an ironic situation where he committed a sin with his daughters. The book provides explanations for this.

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Family relations -

It's revealed that the Messiah was predicted to descend from Lot's lineage. Therefore, Lot and his daughters were merely fulfilling God's will...

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Lot's children -

Lot and his daughters were responsible for the establishment of the dynasties referred to as the Moabites and the Ammonites.

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Lot's children -

However, it was discovered that the Moabites and the Ammonites were engaged in a perpetual conflict with the Israelites, who were God's chosen people.

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The Romans had their own version -

The story of Baucis and Philemon, a fable blending Greek and Roman mythology, was documented by the Roman writer Ovid. It is worth noting that this is not the only biblical story with alternate versions.

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Baucis and Philemon -

Zeus and Hermes, known as Jupiter and Mercury, journey to a town in human form and discover its inhabitants to be unwelcoming, except for Philemon and his wife, Baucis. The couple offer their guests food and a place to stay.

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Baucis and Philemon -

The men ultimately disclose their true identities as gods and caution the couple to escape, as they plan to annihilate the city. Doe this ring a bell?

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Islam's interpretation of the tale -

According to Genesis 19:26, Lot's wife defied God's command by glancing back at the city's destruction, resulting in her transformation into a pillar of salt. Surah Hud 11:81 in the Quran, however, presents an even more perplexing account.

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Islam's interpretation of the tale -

The text states, "So travel with your family in the dark of night, and do not let any of you look back, except your wife. She will certainly suffer the fate of the others." Lot was aware that his wife would be punished, which begs the question: why?

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The Cities of the Plain had a turbulent history -

Prior to the apocalyptic event, Sodom and Gomorrah were ravaged by warfare. The cities fell victim to an assault led by Kedorlaomer, also known as Chedorlaomer, ruler of Elam. He ruthlessly slaughtered the inhabitants and plundered their wealth and provisions.

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The Cities of the Plain had a turbulent history -

Perhaps these individuals had a justification for deviating from God's will and adopting impoliteness and indulgence. However, the consequences they ultimately faced were exceedingly severe.

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Where Sodom was located -

In 2005, archaeologists made a significant find in Jordan called Tall el-Hammam. Could this possibly be Sodom?

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Is Sodom finally discovered? -

Archaeologist Steven Collins, an evangelical Christian on a mission, led the excavation, which raised doubt among some individuals about his findings due to his religious beliefs.

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Is Sodom finally discovered? -

However, the recently discovered site is located in the most likely area where the Cities of the Plain supposedly once existed. Surprisingly, there is compelling evidence indicating that it has been severely damaged by fire.

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Is Sodom finally discovered? -

Pottery unearthed had undergone transformation into glass, which is what happens under extremely high temperatures. Is God responsible, or is there something we've overlooked? 

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God threw large stones -

In 2018, Collins proposed a theory to account for the intense heat that transformed pottery into glass: a meteor.

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Large rocks were being thrown by God -

It is believed that a meteor may have exploded over the Dead Sea, resulting in the potential destruction of Tall el-Hammam. And witnessing such an event could easily be interpreted as God being seriously displeased. 

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What about the city that survived? -

Yes, Zoar was indeed found by us! It came to be called Zoara and has been mentioned extensively throughout history, spanning from the Romans to Islam.

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Zoar -

Excavations were conducted in the area during the 1980s and '90s, resulting in several findings, including the cave believed to have been used by Lot as a sanctuary.

Sources: (Grunge)

See also: Science confirms these parts of the Bible are true

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