Journal: Bulletin for Biblical Research
Volume: BBR 24:2 (NA 2014)
Article: Echoes Of Sodom And Gomorrah On The Day Of The Lord: Intertextuality And Tradition In 2 Peter 3:7–13
Author: Ryan P. Juza

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BBR 24:2 (2014) p. 227

Echoes Of Sodom And Gomorrah On The Day Of The Lord:
Intertextuality And Tradition In 2 Peter 3:7–13

Ryan P. Juza

Asbury Theological Seminary

This study proposes that the writer of 2 Peter has echoed the narrative tradition of Sodom and Gomorrah in 2 Pet 3:7–13. After their destruction in Gen 18–19, these cities were developed in subsequent literature into archetypes of wickedness and judgment and eventually were applied eschatologically to the day of the Lord. The writer signals his use of Sodom and Gomorrah as a prototype for God’s eschatological judgment and salvation of the cosmos in 2:6–8. Numerous corresponding words, phrases, and themes demonstrate the echo and provide fresh insights into many of the vexing questions associated with 2 Pet 3:7–13.

Key Words: 2 Peter 3, Sodom and Gomorrah, intertexual echo, judgment, salvation, cosmos, typology

Introduction

The issues presented by 2 Pet 3:7–13 have generally raised more questions than answers. How does Peter’s response to the mockers (3:5–10) relate to their objection?1 Does Peter intend the account of the flood (3:6) to be seen as parallel to the “day of judgment” (3:7)? How has Peter employed Ps 90:4 in his response to the mockers (3:8)? What is the meaning of στοιχεῖα (3:10c)? Does the best reading of 3:10d include εὑρεθήσεται, given the multiple variants and proposed emendations? What does it mean to be “waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (3:12)? How are we to understand Peter’s vision of “a new heavens and a new earth” (3:13)? What is the relationship between cosmology, anthropology, and eschatology in these verses?

Looking at the history of interpretation, the majority of scholars base their answers to many of these questions on a conceptual framework that lies behind the text. Two routes are normally taken. The majority of

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