In Parashat Vayera, God decides to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their extreme wickedness. Despite Abraham's heartfelt pleas for mercy, God finds there are not enough righteous people to spare the cities. He rains down "fire and brimstone" (sulfur) from the heavens, utterly consuming them. This vivid imagery of "fire and brimstone" also appears in Tehillim (Psalms 11:6), where it continues to symbolize divine judgment and punishment.
Over time, the phrase "fire and brimstone" has entered the English language as a common expression. It is often used to describe impassioned rhetoric or preaching, especially when it focuses on themes of judgment, damnation, and divine wrath. A "fire and brimstone" sermon, for instance, typically centers on sin, punishment, and the urgent need for repentance, often delivered with intense emotion.
The phrase also appears in secular contexts to describe any situation or speech that is especially harsh, punitive, or threatening. For example, "The teacher finally decided to deliver a fire and brimstone speech in class to make the students understand he was serious." It conveys a sense of unavoidable and fierce consequences, much like the original biblical punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah.