Did You Know About Location of Sodom?
As an author, I am required to do a great deal of research; the results of which I am sharing with you.
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Did You Know About The Location of Sodom?
Most people would say, “Of course I do. It was located SE of the Dead Sea.” But if you say that, you may be wrong.
First of all, it is a basic principle in studying the Bible that the Bible is supreme. When looking at archeology you look through the prism of the Bible. You don't look at the Bible through the prism of archeology.
With that in mind, if you read the Bible literally you will find it doesn't match the popular belief regarding Sodom's location. For instance, Genesis 13:10 says, “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan ...” The plain of Jordan, also known as the Kikkar, was the plain on either side of the Jordan and ended at the northern shore on the Dead Sea.
Another verse, Genesis 13:11 reads: “Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: ...” This was east of Bethel, which was located northwest of the Dead Sea.
Still another verse, Genesis 19:27,28: “And Abraham gat up early … and he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah ...” There existed a mountain range between Hebron (Abraham's new location) and the southern tip of the Dead Sea, whereas looking northeast and across the Dead Sea on a clear day Sodom may have been visible (according to archaeologists of the 19th century and more recently W M Thomson).
You look at your typical Bible map and you see that Sodom and the other four cities are all located at the southern tip of the Dead Sea, but archaeologists have been unable to discover any of the cities, but they have determined that none are buried beneath the Dead Sea. On the other hand, they have found at least five Tells (mounds of ancient cities). One has even been suggested as possible Sodom.
Interesting, to say the least. Perhaps the famous Archaeologist of the 20th century W. F. Albright was wrong! (Albright was the one who resurrected the southern-underwater theory. His fame and success carried the day for awhile.)
But what about the mention of the Vale of Siddim, which was located on the southern tip of the Dead Sea?
That is a good question. It was answered by an archaeologist who pointed out that the Vale of Siddim was where they fought their battles. It was further pointed out that kings often fought battles away from their cities so as to reduce the element of danger to their cities.
Therefore, for the person who believes in the literal understanding of the Bible it would seem that the location of Sodom and the other four cities were all northeast of the Dead Sea.
R_Frederick Riddle
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Did You Know About The Location of Sodom?
Most people would say, “Of course I do. It was located SE of the Dead Sea.” But if you say that, you may be wrong.
First of all, it is a basic principle in studying the Bible that the Bible is supreme. When looking at archeology you look through the prism of the Bible. You don't look at the Bible through the prism of archeology.
With that in mind, if you read the Bible literally you will find it doesn't match the popular belief regarding Sodom's location. For instance, Genesis 13:10 says, “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan ...” The plain of Jordan, also known as the Kikkar, was the plain on either side of the Jordan and ended at the northern shore on the Dead Sea.
Another verse, Genesis 13:11 reads: “Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: ...” This was east of Bethel, which was located northwest of the Dead Sea.
Still another verse, Genesis 19:27,28: “And Abraham gat up early … and he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah ...” There existed a mountain range between Hebron (Abraham's new location) and the southern tip of the Dead Sea, whereas looking northeast and across the Dead Sea on a clear day Sodom may have been visible (according to archaeologists of the 19th century and more recently W M Thomson).
You look at your typical Bible map and you see that Sodom and the other four cities are all located at the southern tip of the Dead Sea, but archaeologists have been unable to discover any of the cities, but they have determined that none are buried beneath the Dead Sea. On the other hand, they have found at least five Tells (mounds of ancient cities). One has even been suggested as possible Sodom.
Interesting, to say the least. Perhaps the famous Archaeologist of the 20th century W. F. Albright was wrong! (Albright was the one who resurrected the southern-underwater theory. His fame and success carried the day for awhile.)
But what about the mention of the Vale of Siddim, which was located on the southern tip of the Dead Sea?
That is a good question. It was answered by an archaeologist who pointed out that the Vale of Siddim was where they fought their battles. It was further pointed out that kings often fought battles away from their cities so as to reduce the element of danger to their cities.
Therefore, for the person who believes in the literal understanding of the Bible it would seem that the location of Sodom and the other four cities were all northeast of the Dead Sea.
R_Frederick Riddle
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