share torah logo

Genesis 19:25 - Divine justice destroys corruption.

Genesis 19:25 - בראשית 19:25

Hebrew Text

וַיַּהֲפֹךְ אֶת־הֶעָרִים הָאֵל וְאֵת כָּל־הַכִּכָּר וְאֵת כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵי הֶעָרִים וְצֶמַח הָאֲדָמָה׃

English Translation

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

Transliteration

Va-yahafokh et ha-arim ha-eil ve-et kol ha-kikar ve-et kol yoshvei ha-arim ve-tzemakh ha-adama.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַֽיַּהֲפֹךְ֙ אֶת־הֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔ל וְאֵ֖ת כׇּל־הַכִּכָּ֑ר וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הֶעָרִ֔ים וְצֶ֖מַח הָאֲדָמָֽה׃
וַֽיַּהֲפֹךְ֙ אֶת־הֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔ל וְאֵ֖ת כׇּל־הַכִּכָּ֑ר וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הֶעָרִ֔ים וְצֶ֖מַח הָאֲדָמָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

The verse describes the complete destruction of the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding plain, including all inhabitants and vegetation. This event is recounted in Bereishit (Genesis) 19:25, following the narrative of Lot's escape from Sodom.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Bereishit 19:25) explains that the phrase "ויהפך" ("and He overthrew") refers to a miraculous upheaval—Hashem overturned the cities entirely, burying them beneath the earth. He cites the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 51:5) that the cities were submerged in a manner akin to a flask being turned upside down, emphasizing the totality of their destruction.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed 2:29), Rambam interprets the destruction as a natural consequence of the cities' moral corruption. He suggests that the upheaval was a divinely ordained natural disaster, serving as a warning against extreme wickedness.

Midrashic Insights

  • Bereishit Rabbah (50:6) states that the destruction was so complete that even the vegetation was eradicated, symbolizing that no remnant of their corrupt society should endure.
  • The Zohar (Vayera 107a) teaches that the cities' sins were so severe that they corrupted the very land itself, necessitating its purification through destruction.

Halachic Implications

The Chazon Ish (Emunah U'Bitachon 1:4) derives from this verse that Hashem's judgment is exacting—even the land's produce was destroyed because it had been cultivated through theft and oppression, as the people of Sodom were notorious for their cruelty (Sanhedrin 109a).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 54a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the miracles performed for the righteous and the wicked, particularly the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
📖 Sanhedrin 109a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the sins of the people of Sodom and the divine justice meted out to them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 19:25 mean when it says 'He overthrew those cities'?
A: Genesis 19:25 describes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as a divine punishment for their wickedness. According to Rashi and the Talmud (Sanhedrin 109a), the people of these cities were guilty of severe sins like robbery, cruelty, and sexual immorality. The term 'overthrew' (וַיַּהֲפֹךְ) implies a complete upheaval, as the cities were destroyed from above (with fire and brimstone) and below (the ground sinking).
Q: Why is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah important in Judaism?
A: The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a powerful lesson about divine justice and the consequences of extreme wickedness. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:1) teaches that this event warns against cruelty and lack of compassion, as the Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 49:6) states that Sodom's downfall came because they refused to help the poor and oppressed. It also highlights the importance of hospitality (hakhnasat orchim), which Avraham exemplified, in contrast to Sodom's evil ways.
Q: What can we learn from Genesis 19:25 today?
A: This verse teaches that ethical behavior and kindness are fundamental in Jewish tradition. The Talmud (Avot 5:10) lists the sins of Sodom as examples of how a society can become corrupt when it lacks basic decency. Today, this reminds us to act with generosity, justice, and moral responsibility, as individuals and as a community, to avoid the pitfalls that led to Sodom's destruction.
Q: Why were the plants and ground also destroyed in Genesis 19:25?
A: Rashi explains that the destruction extended to 'that which grew upon the ground' because the land itself was tainted by the sins of its inhabitants. The Midrash (Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 25) adds that even the vegetation was part of their cruelty—Sodom's laws punished anyone who gave food to strangers. Thus, the complete devastation showed that corruption had permeated every aspect of their society, leaving no room for repentance.