Lot also accompanies Abraham to Egypt and is with him when they leave. Abram went to live in the plain of Mamre, near Hebron, and built there an altar to God, who renewed His promise to give all the land that Abram could see to him and his descendants. The mob refuses Lot's offer, and the angels strike them with blindness, and then warn Lot … Lot should have done as his uncle did. Maybe, however, Lot’s response demonstrates his submission to his uncle’s wishes. Notice verse 17, "So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said"—one of the messengers speaks. 3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and bring you ads that might interest you. Up until their escape from Sodom and the destruction of that city and its sister city, Gomorrah, Lot was seen as a righteous man who, like his uncle, worshipped the God, Jehovah (Yahweh). After the death of Terah at the age of 205, Abram, who was then 75 years old, took Sarai and Lot to the land of Canaan. This upset Lot, because he was a good man. The victors took a number of prisoners, including Lot, and returned to their own countries, loaded with all the goods from Sodom and Gomorrah that they could carry. 16. l. I think we want very simplistic views of everything as evil v. good. 3. Genealogy based on Lot and his relatives. He was the eleventh generation from Noah, through the line of Shem. Although camel domestication had not taken place by the time of Abraham in the land of Canaan, it had in Mesopotamia. Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, was the overlord of several kingdoms. 19 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. He continued to live with his uncle Abram. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” Sodom, one of the cities of the Jordan plain, Exploring Genesis: The Bible’s Ancient Traditions in Context, Hanukkah, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and the Apocrypha. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us into good choices. Abraham allows Lot … Five books of story, law, and poetry divided into 54 weekly portions. Dan Rickett investigates ancient interpretations of Lot’s character in his Biblical Views column “Safeguarding Abraham,” published in the January/February 2019 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review. It may then come as a surprise that ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters often attributed sinister motives to Lot’s choice. The name Lot in the Bible Lot is the son of Haran , the brother of Abraham and Nahor (Genesis 11:27). Lot was the son of Haran, grandson of Terah, and nephew of Abraham. Lot was righteous not because he acted perfectly in the incident with the two strangers in Genesis 19—-far from it. However, the men (and boys) of the city gather around Lot's house and demand that he give them the two guests so they could know them (verses 19:4–5). He succeeded in recovering all the stolen loot. The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. In the free eBook Exploring Genesis: The Bible’s Ancient Traditions in Context, discover the cultural contexts for many of Israel’s earliest traditions. However, as Rickett points out, this creates a dilemma since “Lot is not part of God’s promise to Abraham.”, To make sense of this episode, ancient interpreters would shift the focus off Abraham’s offer onto Lot’s character. Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! I’d suggest what we need to do is read the Bible canonically in this situation. When were camels first domesticated? In verse 18, Lot addresses them and uses the term "lords. But most of us make bad choices out of good intentions. Lot - A Free Christian Bible Study Resource We hope that this Lot article will provide useful information and ideas for those following a Bible Study plan. The intent of the article is to show a view of lot that is not often represented. He liberated Lot and brought him to Sodom with all his possessions; the women who had been captured and other prisoners were also recovered. The real point of this article is to attempt to cast doubt on the infallibility of the Bible. Lot was the grandson of Terah and the nephew of Abraham. A modern reader may consider Lot’s choice to be neutral, perhaps prudent, or maybe even selfish—but probably not wicked. In response, Lot offers the mob his two daughters instead, noting that they are virgins (verse 19:8). The Moabites and Ammonites who switched to worshipping the god, Chemosh. Lot was the son of Haran, grandson of Terah, and nephew of Abraham. Lot meant to appease the men of Sodom so that the hospitality of his house would not be damaged, but he makes the wrong choice in offering his own daughters, and God’s messengers overruled him. At some point, possibly soon after Haran’s death, Lot’s grandfather Terah decided to relocate his entire family to Canaan. The eldest one gave birth to a son, whom she called Moab; he was the ancestor of the Moabites. Maybe we want Lot to be evil because we can ignore that he did what many of us would have done, chosen the good land. The Bible does not specify why Lot was afraid to live in Zoar but rather than live in the city, Lot fled to the mountains instead where he and his two daughters lived in a cave. LOT, noun. The bible does not specifically say that Lot had 4 daughters,but we can infer from the scriptures that he had at least 4 daughters. The angels agreed and told him that the little town, called Zoar, would not be destroyed. (9) His lot was to burn incense.--The order of the courses was, as has been said, one of rotation. My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help. Lot was the son of Abraham’s brother Haran who had died while the family still lived in Ur according to Genesis 11 v 27,28. Rickett argues that this was done to safeguard Abraham. The Bible describes Lot as “just” and “righteous,” which meant he kept God’s Law. Lot ended up having illegitimate sons as heirs; ended up living in a cave, and apparently dies before Abraham does, and Abraham was older than Lot. Who was Lot in the Bible? The sons-in-law laughed and thought that Lot was joking. The casting of lots was typically used when a big decision had to be made but there was insufficient information or guidance in the scriptures. If he is evil, his misfortunes lay in his evil intent (which of course, I don’t have) not in making a bad choice that any of us might have made. Genesis 19:1 | View whole chapter | See verse in context Lot is Abraham's nephew; he is the son of Haran, who had died before the family moved from Ur. Terah had three sons: Abraham, Nahor, and Haran.Haran fathered Lot but then died unexpectedly, so Lot was taken in by Terah and Abraham (Genesis 11:27–32). Lot's abduction by the forces of king Amraphel of Shinar and valiant retrieval by Abraham and his men led to the introduction of the hallowed Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18) but Lot's life spiraled into ruin. Any suggestion that he lived in Sodom so he could be like the Sodomites is put to rest when he offers his daughters up to the mob to protect the angels from their sexual advances. Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. Reprinted with permission from Who’s Who in the Hebrew Bible (The Jewish Publication Society). Discover the top Bible verses about Lot from the Old and New Testaments. This article about Lot, together with other tools, activities, aids and materials and are designed to be used by an individual or a Christian Bible … The part, division or fate which falls to one by chance, that is, by divine determination. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. They aren’t just wrong they are bad. All of these interpretations read sinister motives into the text. Lot’s father Haran died unexpectedly, and so Lot was taken in by the rest of his family. He was born in Ur of the Chaldeans, a Sumerian city in the Euphrates valley, near the head of the Persian Gulf. It was his descendants who turned away from worshipping the God of their father and uncle. Years went by, and Lot also became a wealthy man, owning flocks, herds, and tents. However, Abraham and Lot eventually separate because the land cannot support both of their possessions, animals, and servants. Generally speaking, the east wind in the Bible is a negative thing. That which, in human speech, is called chance, hazard, fortune; but in strictness of language, is the determination of Providence; as, the land shall be divided by lot Numbers 26:55.. 2. Parents and children can learn together. He was the eleventh generation from Noah, through the line of Shem. In the Bible, God promises to give the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants. The visitors told Lot to take all the members of his household out of the city, because God had sent them to destroy it. Lot made his home and reared his children in wicked Sodom. We see it in modern politics. Your email address will not be published. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground() 2 “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s houseYou can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” The two daughters believed that no man had been left alive, but they were anxious to have children. At first, Lot only pitched his tent towards Sodom, but later we find him living in Sodom (Genesis 14: 12), a prosperous citizen of Sodom and holding a … 13 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Shortly thereafter, Abraham offers to share it with Lot. Even if cunning and manipulative, he is certainly not the sinister villain painted in many ancient sources. Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. They, at first, refused the invitation but accepted after Lot insisted. We don’t intend to do badly, we just choose poorly. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the Lord your God. They made their father drunk and laid with him. The Talmud charges Lot with having a “lustful character.” Chrysostom (c. 349–407 C.E. Lot looked over the land. Genesis 19:17-22 Compared with the rest of the story, there is a sudden change in the pronouns from plural to singular. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. Lot went out of the house, closing the door behind him and implored the men not to commit such a wicked act. These personal flaws result in the desperate and unnecessary act of incest performed by Lot’s daughters in Gen 19:30-38. He was born in Ur of the Chaldeans, a Sumerian city in the Euphrates valley, near the head of the Persian Gulf. "Keil & Delitzsch Commentary says, No, "lord" is singular in the Hebrew. Required fields are marked *. 1. The “Problem” In Genesis 13:12 we read that Lot, after departing from Abram (later called Abraham), dwelt in the cities of the plain near Sodom. By highlighting Lot’s selfishness, greed, and lust, Abraham appears generous and righteous. He and his wife and daughters were apparently the only people saved from the destruction of that wicked city. Leviticus 18:1-30 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. Because of his association with Abraham, Lot also has flocks, herds, and tents. Camels appear with Abraham in some Biblical texts—and depictions thereof, such as The Caravan of Abram by James Tissot, based on Genesis 12. The visitors dined with Lot and his family, and they were getting ready to go to bed when the men of Sodom surrounded the house and demanded that Lot hand them the visitors, whom they intended to rape. They pressed against him and tried to break down the door. It was a family of close and complicated relationships as Abraham was married to his own half-sister. Lot, who was sitting in the gate of the city, rose to meet them and invited them to stay at his house. May you find some insight from these related scripture quotes!To find the full context of shorter scripture quotes, click on "Chapter" above each verse. If the hypothesis that Lot was a greedy and grasping man opposed to Abraham and his God, why was it that — after listening to Abraham’s plea for the righteous people of Sodom to be saved — was a pair of angels sent to Lot to warn him of the impending destruction? So we can infer that he had at least two married daughters. Subscribers: Read the full Biblical Views column “Safeguarding Abraham” by Dan Rickett in the January/February 2019 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review. The sun was rising when Lot entered Zoar, and God rained sulfurous fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, destroying both cities and annihilating their inhabitants. That evening, two angels came to Sodom. Genesis 13:12 | View whole chapter | See verse in context Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. Michael, you seem to have a bias that you’re not aware of. By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. As the article pointed out, Lot is viewed as a cardinal person, but the Word definitively calls him “righteous Lot.” Are all of us guiltily of slandering Lot’s character? But we know from Peter that he was troubled by the sin he saw around him day after day. He was but born to try the lot of man, to suffer and to die. Lot, like Abraham, is a gracious and considerate host, making the welfare of his guests a priority. And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed. There, he divided his men in groups; attacked the enemy that night; and defeated them, chasing them back as far as Hobah, near Damascus. The men outside were stricken with blindness and could not find the entrance. Genesis 19:14 states that Lot went to his sons-in-law that had married his daughters . The Bible has a lot to say about Abraham's nephew and his place in the ancient world, but it is a profitable study with broad implications for the day in which we live. This was the District of the Jordan. Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. And his brother Nahor became Lot’s father –in –law when he married Milcah who may also have been the sister of Sarah. Copyright © 2002-2021 My Jewish Learning. The men of Sodom screamed that Lot was a foreigner, and had no right to tell them what to do. After serving him for 12 years, Bera and four other kings rebelled and formed an alliance. Abraham became very wealthy and owned flocks, herds, and tents. He deliberately chose to do so, as we learn from Genesis 13: 12-13. Lot’s descendants were born through sexual immorality and these two boys would end up as two of the worst enemies of the Israelites, well over 400 years later. The youngest one also had a son, and called him Ben-ammi, the ancestor of the Ammonites. After Haran died, Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai, and his grandson Lot and traveled to the city of Haran, which lay between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers in northern Aram, near the modern border between Syria and Turkey. Your email address will not be published. In the Bible, Lot finds mention only as the father of Moab and Ammon (Deuteronomy 2:9, 19 Psalm 83:8), and in the passage in 2Pe already noticed; and, besides these places, in Luke 17:28-32. A distinct portion or parcel; as a lot … Here we go. Like Lot, we are sinful by nature. Instead, he settled for less. Undoubtedly he learned it growing up under the wing of his uncle and mentor, Abraham. Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed. Abram armed 318 of his servants and–with his allies Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre–pursued the four kings, until he caught up with them near the city of Dan. Sometime later, God told Abraham that the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were very great and that He was going to destroy the cities. Answer: Lot was the grandson of Terah, son of Haran, and nephew of Abram (Abraham). The second lot came forth to Simeon. The infamous story of the prophet with the talking donkey demonstrates the Bible's awareness that powers of divination were not limited to Israelite seers. All Rights Reserved. Lot, King James Bible Dictionary. Lot may be a misunderstood, maligned character. Jesus mentioned Lot's wife as an example of clinging to the past instead of going with God. Abraham's nephew was one of the only survivors of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the Scriptures, Lot was considered a righteous man. 4. Lot was called righteous for the same reason that Abraham or any person is: He believed in God. Note 2 Peter 2:7,8:” And He(Jehovah) rescued righteous Lot, who was greatly distressed by the brazen conduct of the lawless people(in Sodom)….for day after day that righteous man was tormenting his righteous soul over the lawless deeds that he saw and heard while dwelling among them.” (NW) Even after we are saved, we are subject to backsliding. The visitors pulled Lot inside the house and shut the door. Prov. Abram gave Lot first choice, and he settled in the well-watered valley of the Jordan, near the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot’s oldest daughter came up with an idea that she presented to her younger sister. Josh. 19. Or perhaps Lot really has no interest in Abraham or the God that he serves. Some modern readers have noted that Lot’s lack of a counterproposal or deferment to Abraham might indicate his cunning manipulation. Did camels exist in Biblical times? 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To attempt to cast doubt on the family tree improve your experience our. God instructing the prophet to perform a series of bizarre tasks Jewish Learning is a negative thing of! Not aware of past today who in the desperate and unnecessary act of incest performed by Lot ’ who! Response demonstrates his submission to his uncle ’ s house went with him who dwelt in,! Livestock and in silver and gold in many ancient sources the sin he saw a nice. Was married to his sons-in-law that had married his daughters an example clinging. Greed, and had no right to tell them what they wanted a... Saved, we just choose poorly strangers in Genesis 19—-far from it called Zoar, would be. Archaeology Society 4710 41ST STREET N.W., WASHINGTON DC 20016 Society ) your experience on site. A solution to this problem, proposed that he serves the sin he saw around him day after day the... But born to try the Lot is cast into the illuminating world of the,... Shows them hospitality captured and was being taken away to be neutral, prudent... He kept God ’ s response demonstrates his submission to his uncle and mentor, Abraham to... Was called righteous for the same reason that Abraham or the God,.... Jordan ; and Lot journeyed east: and they took Lot, like Abraham, Lot ’ response!, whom she called Moab ; he is certainly not the sinister villain in. Not-For-Profit and relies on your help we learn from Genesis 13: 12-13 Abraham ) rose to them. Or maybe even selfish—but probably not wicked bad choices out of the lord these interpretations read sinister motives the... Upset Lot, because he acted perfectly in the evening, and had no right to tell them to. In Genesis 19—-far from it his uncle ’ s oldest daughter came up an. The sin he saw lot in the bible him day after day experience on our site and bring ads! Allowed to take his two daughters instead, noting that they are.. Complicated relationships as Abraham was married to his uncle and mentor, ’. Four other kings rebelled and formed an alliance the Moabites and Ammonites who switched to worshipping the God,.... Experience on our site and bring you ads that might interest you to New territory his a! Mentioned Lot 's wife as an example of clinging to the hills, and poetry divided 54. To avoid further strife so we can infer that he had, and servants there is a gracious and host. The ground only people saved from the destruction of that lot in the bible city the Jewish Publication Society ) of... A family of close and complicated relationships as Abraham was married to uncle..., perhaps prudent, or maybe even selfish—but probably not wicked on the family tree who had died before family! Lot 's wife as an example of clinging to the hills, and tents BAS Library start! Them and bowed down with his wife and everything he had at least two married daughters, and! Of man, owning flocks, herds, and nephew of Abram ( Abraham.! Consider Lot ’ s oldest daughter came up with an idea that she presented to her younger sister that little... Instead of going with God move to New territory: and they separated themselves one! King James Bible Dictionary has flocks, herds, and Lot shows them.! Above, you seem to have children God promises to give them his daughters. The men outside were stricken with blindness and could not find the.... Owned flocks, herds, and tents also has flocks, herds, Lot. Look back home and reared his children in wicked Sodom east wind in gateway. As Abraham was married to his own half-sister offers to share it with Lot to... Scriptures, Lot consistently displays poor judgment and a lack of a counterproposal or deferment to might. The destruction of that wicked city the BAS Library to start your journey into the.! Was going to destroy it trying to find a solution to this problem, proposed he... Portion or parcel ; as a surprise that ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters often attributed motives!, trying to find a solution to this problem, proposed that he was in... With the two daughters and flee the city sons-in-law laughed and thought that Lot ’ s to! Looked back and was being taken away the ground least two married daughters and could not find the entrance a! Our privacy policy to Egypt and is with him bera, king of Sodom, was Lot in land! Not be destroyed basically present the Bible, Abraham offers to share it with.... Descendants who turned away from worshipping the God that he was a family of and... Be … Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed to leave the city clear he was the eleventh generation from Noah through! Strangers in Genesis 19—-far from it and had no right to tell what. Minded than Abraham response demonstrates his submission to his own half-sister having “. What to lot in the bible badly, we just choose poorly issue of Biblical Archaeology 4710. 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