Two of the “cities of the plain [valley]” referred to in Genesis 13:12. There were five cities, Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (14:2), all situated in the Valley of Siddim (i.e., the Salt Sea) according to verse 3. Of these, Sodom is mentioned most frequently in Genesis “36 times in all” of which 16 references are to Sodom alone. Sodom became known in biblical literature as the supreme example of a wicked city, and its destruction (19:24) was used as a warning of judgment on those who sin against God in other biblical writings (Dt 29:23; Is 1:9, 10; Jer 23:14; 49:18; Lam 4:6; Am 4:11; Zep 2:9). The story of Sodom’s destruction found its place also in the NT (Mt 10:15; Mk 6:11; Lk 10:12; 17:29; Rom 9:29 kjv Sodoma; 2 Pt 2:6; Jude 7; Rv 11:8).
Elwell, Walter A. ; Beitzel, Barry J.: Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Baker Book House, 1988, S. 1974