Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet doesn't just condemn Jerusalem; he elevates the comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting that their rulers and people are so wicked they've earned those infamous names. This isn't just hyperbole; it's a stark warning that their deeds mirror the very sins that brought divine judgment upon those ancient cities.
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following God's indictment of Judah's sin and devastation, the prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, directly addresses the nation's leaders and people. He labels them with the infamous names of Sodom and Gomorrah, cities destroyed for their extreme wickedness, to highlight the depth of their rebellion and the imminent judgment they face. This stark comparison sets the stage for God's rejection of their superficial religious practices, which they offered while continuing in their sin.
Why would the prophet Isaiah call the rulers and people of Jerusalem 'rulers of Sodom' and 'people of Gomorrah'? This wasn't just a name-calling session; it was a profound indictment.
Isaiah uses the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, known for their extreme wickedness and subsequent destruction, as a stark comparison for Jerusalem. This wasn't a casual insult; it was a serious accusation.
The Prophet's Purpose
Isaiah calls them to 'hear the word of the Lord' and 'give ear to the teaching of our God.' What's the difference between these two calls, and why are they both so crucial?
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The prophet uses two distinct phrases to emphasize the multifaceted nature of God's communication and the comprehensive response required from His people.
Two Aspects of Divine Revelation
A Holistic Response Needed
Understand the original words
dabar · Hebrew Noun
The divine communication from God to humanity, possessing inherent authority and power to bring about change, conviction, or judgment. It is the instrument through which God reveals His character, will, and truth.
torah · Hebrew Noun
Often translated as "law" or "instruction," this refers to divine guidance, ordinances, or the revelation of God’s will, intended to instruct His people in how to live in covenant relationship with Him.
Isaiah's sharp rebuke, comparing Jerusalem's rulers and people to Sodom and Gomorrah, reflects the severe moral and spiritual decay within Judah during a time of intense political pressure from empires like Assyria. The prophet uses the memory of God's judgment on those ancient cities to emphasize the dire consequences of their continued unfaithfulness and to call them to genuine repentance.
Late 8th Century BC
Isaiah's Ministry Begins
Isaiah begins his prophetic ministry in Judah and Jerusalem during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The nation experiences periods of prosperity and decline, with underlying corruption.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Empire's Growing Power
The powerful Neo-Assyrian Empire is expanding its influence and military might. Neighboring kingdoms are either subjugated or forced into alliances, creating a climate of fear and political instability.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The kings of Aram (Syria) and Israel invade Judah, demanding King Ahaz join their anti-Assyrian coalition. Ahaz, against Isaiah's advice, appeals to Assyria for help, marking a turning point towards Assyrian dominance.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrians. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah about the consequences of disobedience and failing to heed God's word.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many fortified cities. Jerusalem is besieged, but miraculously spared from destruction, largely due to divine intervention and Hezekiah's reforms.
This verse compares the wickedness of the nations to the fruit of the vine of Sodom, directly linking Sodom's sin to a broader theme of divine judgment against unrighteousness that Isaiah is addressing.
Ezekiel 16:46-49This passage explicitly details the sins of Sodom and Samaria (representing Jerusalem), highlighting their pride, excess, and neglect of the poor, mirroring the charges Isaiah brings against the rulers of Jerusalem.
Matthew 11:23-24Jesus directly quotes and applies Isaiah's condemnation of Capernaum (likened to Sodom) to show that rejecting God's word and messengers brings severe judgment, echoing the prophetic voice of Isaiah.
Romans 1:28-32Paul describes a society given over to sinful desires and unrighteousness, listing many of the same moral failings that led to Sodom's destruction and that Isaiah condemns in Jerusalem's rulers.
pooleIsaiah 1:10: "Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah."
Hear the word of the Lord; I speak not my own fancies or passions, but the message of your Lord and Governor, to whom you owe all reverence and obedience. Rulers of Sodom; so called for their resemblance of them in wickedness: compare Deu 32:32 Ezekiel 16:46,48 . The law; or, doctrine , as this word is commonly used; the message which I am now to deliver to you from God, your g…
henryIsaiah 1:10-15: "Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah."
1:10-15 Judea was desolate, and their cities burned. This awakened them to bring sacrifices and offerings, as if they would bribe God to remove the punishment, and give them leave to go on in their sin. Many who will readily part with their sacrifices, will not be persuaded to part with their sins. They relied on the mere form as a service deserving a reward. The most costly…
The prophet doesn't just condemn Jerusalem; he elevates the comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting that their rulers and people are so wicked they've earned those infamous names. This isn't just hyperbole; it's a stark warning that their deeds mirror the very sins that brought divine judgment upon those ancient cities.
Following God's indictment of Judah's sin and devastation, the prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, directly addresses the nation's leaders and people. He labels them with the infamous names of Sodom and Gomorrah, cities destroyed for their extreme wickedness, to highlight the depth of their rebellion and the imminent judgment they face. This stark comparison sets the stage for God's rejection of their superficial religious practices, which they offered while continuing in their sin.
Following God's indictment of Judah's sin and devastation, the prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, directly addresses the nation's leaders and people. He labels them with the infamous names of Sodom and Gomorrah, cities destroyed for their extreme wickedness, to highlight the depth of their rebellion and the imminent judgment they face. This stark comparison sets the stage for God's rejection of their superficial religious practices, which they offered while continuing in their sin.
"Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!" — The prophet doesn't just condemn Jerusalem; he elevates the comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting that their rulers and people are so wicked they've earned those infamous names. This isn't…
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Last reviewed October 2026