How does the story of Sodom and Gomorrah emphasize hospitality toward strangers?

In the biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah, the theme of hospitality serves as a critical moral contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Modern scholarship, particularly within Judaism and Christianity, suggests that the cities' destruction was fundamentally rooted in their profound inhospitality toward strangers, rather than solely their sexual immorality.1

The narrative emphasizes this through the following actions:

• Gracious Reception: Both Abraham and Lot are depicted as models of virtue for their generous treatment of angelic strangers. Abraham prepared a choice calf for his guests, while Lot provided a feast and offered them safety and rest in his home.12
• Violent Rejection: In stark contrast, the men of Sodom surrounded Lot’s house and demanded that he surrender his guests for sexual assault. This aggression highlights a deep-seated contempt for the vulnerable and the stranger, which is interpreted as a direct offense against divine standards of conduct.13
• Divine Judgment: The failure to care for the poor and the refusal to welcome travelers are cited in biblical texts, such as Ezekiel 16:49, as evidence of the cities' wickedness. Furthermore, Jesus later used the example of Sodom to warn that towns refusing to welcome his disciples would face even harsher judgment, reinforcing the moral imperative of hospitality.1