2 Peter 2:6

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πόλεις the cities G4172
πόλεις the cities
Strong's: G4172
Word #: 2 of 12
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
Σοδόμων of Sodom G4670
Σοδόμων of Sodom
Strong's: G4670
Word #: 3 of 12
sodoma (i.e., sedom), a place in palestine
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 4 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Γομόῤῥας Gomorrha G1116
Γομόῤῥας Gomorrha
Strong's: G1116
Word #: 5 of 12
gomorrha (i.e., amorah), a place near the dead sea
τεφρώσας into ashes G5077
τεφρώσας into ashes
Strong's: G5077
Word #: 6 of 12
to incinerate, i.e., consume
καταστροφῇ them with an overthrow G2692
καταστροφῇ them with an overthrow
Strong's: G2692
Word #: 7 of 12
an overturn ("catastrophe"), i.e., demolition; figuratively, apostasy
κατέκρινεν condemned G2632
κατέκρινεν condemned
Strong's: G2632
Word #: 8 of 12
to judge against, i.e., sentence
ὑπόδειγμα them an ensample G5262
ὑπόδειγμα them an ensample
Strong's: G5262
Word #: 9 of 12
an exhibit for imitation or warning (figuratively, specimen, adumbration)
μελλόντων unto those that after should G3195
μελλόντων unto those that after should
Strong's: G3195
Word #: 10 of 12
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
ἀσεβεῖν live ungodly G764
ἀσεβεῖν live ungodly
Strong's: G764
Word #: 11 of 12
to be (by implied act) impious or wicked
τεθεικώς making G5087
τεθεικώς making
Strong's: G5087
Word #: 12 of 12
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr

Cross References

Jude 1:7Even 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.Deuteronomy 29:23And 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:Numbers 26:10And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.Isaiah 13:19And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.Jeremiah 50:40As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein.1 Corinthians 10:11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.Zephaniah 2:9Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.Genesis 19:28And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

Analysis & Commentary

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. Peter's third historical judgment example: Sodom and Gomorrah. "Turning... into ashes" (tephrōsas, τεφρώσας) literally means "reducing to ashes"—total destruction by fire. "Condemned them with an overthrow" (katastrophē katekrinen, καταστροφῇ κατέκρινεν) uses legal terminology: divine verdict executed through catastrophic judgment (Gen 19).

"Making them an ensample" (hypodeigma tetheikas, ὑπόδειγμα τεθεικώς) means "setting them as a pattern" or "example." The cities' destruction serves as visual, historical warning to "those that after should live ungodly" (mellontōn asebein, μελλόντων ἀσεβεῖν). Asebein (ἀσεβεῖν) denotes active ungodliness—willful rejection of God's authority and standards, precisely characterizing the false teachers.

This third example completes Peter's trilogy: fallen angels (supernatural judgment), Noah's flood (universal judgment), Sodom/Gomorrah (localized but total judgment). All demonstrate God's consistent pattern—certain judgment on unrepentant evil. The cities' ongoing archaeological desolation testifies to divine judgment's reality. False teachers ignore this testimony to their peril.

Historical Context

Sodom and Gomorrah became proverbial in Jewish and Christian teaching as examples of divine judgment on sexual immorality and social injustice (Isa 1:9-10; 3:9; Jer 23:14; 49:18; 50:40; Lam 4:6; Ezek 16:46-56; Amos 4:11; Matt 10:15; 11:23-24; Luke 10:12; 17:29; Rom 9:29; Jude 7; Rev 11:8). The cities' sins included prideful abundance while ignoring the poor (Ezek 16:49) and notorious sexual perversion (Gen 19:4-9; Jude 7).

Ancient and modern archaeology has sought the cities' location, with various sites proposed around the Dead Sea region showing evidence of catastrophic destruction consistent with biblical accounts. Whether supernatural fire-and-brimstone or divinely-timed natural disaster (earthquake igniting petroleum deposits), the biblical emphasis is theological: God judged flagrant, persistent wickedness. Lot's rescue demonstrates God's mercy toward the righteous even amid comprehensive judgment on the wicked.

Questions for Reflection