Interesting Facts

• Lot accompanied his uncle Abram when he departed from Ur of the Chaldees.
• His herdsmen quarrelled with Abram’s herdsmen, leading to their separation due to the abundance of their possessions.
• Lot chose to dwell in the plain of Jordan and pitched his tent toward Sodom, drawn by the well-watered land.
• He was taken captive when the kings of Elam and their allies plundered Sodom.
• Lot’s daughters engaged in incest with him after the destruction of Sodom, believing they were the last people on earth who could propagate.

Genealogy

• Lot was the son of Haran, who was the brother of Abram and Nahor, and the son of Terah.
• His birth occurred in the year 1960 A.M. or in the seventh year of the third week [1932 A.M.] according to Jubilees.
• Lot’s wife is referred to as Ado in Jasher.
• He had daughters who were married to men of Sodom.
• After the destruction of Sodom, his two remaining daughters bore him sons named Moab and Benami, who became the progenitors of the Moabites and Ammonites.

Historical Context

Lot’s life was significantly shaped by his association with his uncle Abram and the events surrounding the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He was part of Terah’s family migration from Ur of the Chaldees to Haran and then to Canaan. The prosperity he experienced alongside Abram led to practical difficulties in dwelling together, reflecting a nomadic society where land use and resources could create friction. His decision to settle near Sodom indicates a preference for fertile and potentially prosperous land, even amidst a morally questionable society. The period was marked by conflicts between various kingdoms, as evidenced by the invasion that led to Lot’s capture. The extreme wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah, a defining feature of this era in the narrative, ultimately resulted in their divine destruction, a catastrophic event that profoundly impacted Lot’s life and family.

Narrative

Lot’s narrative begins with his departure from Ur with his grandfather Terah and his uncle Abram. He accompanies Abram to Canaan, where his increasing wealth leads to disputes between their herdsmen, necessitating their separation. Lot chooses to reside in the well-watered plain of Jordan, settling in or near Sodom, seemingly prioritizing material comfort over the moral implications of his proximity to such a wicked city. When Sodom is attacked by a coalition of kings, Lot is taken captive, highlighting his vulnerability due to his chosen location. Abram’s swift and successful rescue of Lot demonstrates the bond between them. Despite witnessing the wickedness of Sodom, Lot remains there until the city’s imminent destruction, at which point he is warned by angels to flee with his family. Lot hesitates and lingers, requiring the angels to physically guide him and his family out of the city. Disobeying the command not to look back, Lot’s wife perishes, becoming a pillar of salt. Fearing to remain in Zoar, Lot and his two daughters retreat to a cave in the mountains. In a desperate attempt to continue their lineage, Lot’s daughters get him drunk and have incestuous relations with him, resulting in the births of Moab and Benami. Lot’s story serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the dangers of prioritizing worldly gain over righteousness and the devastating consequences of living in close proximity to wickedness, despite eventual deliverance.