Is the Bible account of Sodom and Gomorrah a legend?

Answer 1

Of course it is. Nothing in The Bible is to be classified as facts and the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah have absolutely no evidence to them at all. The Catholic church makes sure that Scientists don't get very far in the study of these myths.

AnswerThere are a number of sources besides Genesis which indicate the factual nature of the Bible account of these cities. The Biblical recording of the event in Genesis is from a factual point of view. Specific details from two sites, Bab edh-Dhra and Numeira, seem to support the story.

Most of these events happened in prehistory. That means, before people had a writing system. History was passed on by word of mouth and eventually written down. This process should not be taken as legend, but as having more than a grain of truth.

AnswerOne point possibly may clarify the nature of the question and the Bible record. A number of references are made to Sodom and Gomorrah and 'the cities of the plain' in the relevant chapters of Genesis. (13, 18 &19). This includes the destruction of these first two cities and some other events.

Virtually everything in the archaeological record is open to various interpretations, particularly in recent times by what some refer to as 'revisionists' who wish to reinterpret well established facts in the archeological record. It is therefore likely that the details of the Bible record of history will always be disputed by someone.

What is correct to say though, is that the events described, including the historical setting, in the relevant chapters of Genesis are not legend because they have indeed been verified in a number of specific and different cases. The Ebla Tablets refer to the specific names, other discoveries refer to the strength of the doors at this time, other details refer to the ease of travel at this time. So, it is quite a reasonable conclusion to state that these accounts are not legendary, or else all of this evidence, from different sources would not exist.

AnswerYes it's just a legend or a folklore and will remain as such until the actual site of both cities are identified without doubt and accepted by all. AnswerThere have been significant discoveries of cities in the area around where Sodom and Gomorrah should be which indicate sudden destruction and the remains of burnt materials. There is an ash layer, with bituminous deposits. If the account really happened, you would expect to find exactly that.

Answer 2

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is considered a biblical account by those who follow Christian and Jewish faith traditions. It is described in the Book of Genesis as God's judgment on the wickedness of the cities. However, interpretations of the story may vary among scholars and theologians.