Genesis 19:25 - Exposition

And he overthrew —literally, turned over, as a cake'; whence utterly destroyed (cf. Deuteronomy 29:23 ; κατέστρεψε , LXX .; subvertit, Vulgate ). In Arabic "the overthrown' is a title applied, κατ ἐξοχὴν, to Sodom and Gomorrah (Gesenius). From the use of the expression καταστροφή ( 2 Peter 2:6 ), Wordsworth thinks an earthquake may have accompanied the burning— those cities ,—that they were submerged as well as overthrown (Josephus) is a doubtful inference from Genesis 14:3 ( vide infra, Verse 28, on the site of cities of the plain). The archaic הָאל is again employed (cf. Genesis 19:8 )— and all the plain, —kikkar, circle or district ( Genesis 13:10 )— and all the inhabitants of the cities, —a proof of their entire corruption ( Genesis 18:32 )— and that which grew upon the ground —literally, that which sprouts forth from the ground, the produce of the soil; thus converting "a fruitful land into barrenness for the wickedness of them that dwell therein" ( Psalms 107:34 ).