Interesting Facts

• Ado is identified as the wife of Lot.
• She looked back while fleeing the destruction of Sodom.
• Her motivation for looking back was her compassion for her daughters who remained in Sodom.
• As a consequence of looking back, she became a pillar of salt.
• The pillar of salt remained in that place and was licked by oxen, with the salt replenishing daily.

Genealogy

• The sources explicitly state that Ado was the wife of Lot. However, there is no information provided regarding her parentage, birth, or any other familial connections beyond her marriage to Lot.
• The text mentions that Lot had two daughters who did not leave Sodom with him and Ado, suggesting Ado was their mother, although this is implied rather than directly stated.

Historical Context

Ado lived during the time of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which were known for their exceeding wickedness and sinfulness before the Lord. The culture of Sodom, as depicted in the sources, was characterized by inhospitality towards strangers, the exploitation of the poor, and other abominable practices. Prior to the destruction, the Lord sent angels to investigate the “cry of Sodom and Gomorrah” because their “sin is very grievous”. Abraham interceded on behalf of the righteous who might be in the city, but ultimately, the wickedness was so pervasive that only Lot and his immediate family were deemed worthy of rescue. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by brimstone and fire from the Lord serves as a pivotal event in the historical context of Ado’s life, representing divine judgment upon extreme unrighteousness.

Narrative

Ado’s narrative is brief but significant within the account of Sodom’s destruction. She is part of the group, including Lot and their daughters, who are urged by the angels to flee the impending judgment. They are specifically instructed not to look back at the cities. As they are fleeing, Ado disobeys this command and looks back. The source specifies her motivation: her compassion was moved on account of her daughters who remained in Sodom. This act of looking back results in her transformation into a pillar of salt, a stark consequence of defying the divine instruction during a moment of judgment. The narrative highlights the finality and severity of God’s judgment upon Sodom and serves as a cautionary tale against lingering attachments to places or people condemned for their wickedness. The detail about the oxen licking the salt and it being replenished daily further emphasizes the enduring nature of her transformation and its presence as a lasting monument to the catastrophe that befell Sodom.