The Character and Life of Lot in the Bible
Lot, whose name means "wrapped up," "hidden," or "myrrh" [9], is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, first appearing in Genesis 11:27 [6]. He is identified as Abraham's nephew, accompanying him from Ur of the Chaldeans [6]. Lot is depicted as a man of considerable wealth, possessing flocks, herds, and tents, similar to Abraham [1].
A pivotal moment in Lot's life occurs when his and Abraham's extensive possessions lead to strife between their herdsmen. Abraham generously offers Lot the choice of land, and Lot "chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself," traveling east and separating from Abraham [2]. This choice, while seemingly pragmatic due to the well-watered nature of the plain, is interpreted by some as guided by his own judgment and the sight of his eyes, rather than considering the character of the inhabitants [15].
Lot subsequently settled in Sodom, a city known for its wickedness. Despite living among the corrupt, the Apostle Peter describes Lot as "righteous" and "sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked" [3, 5]. This characterization suggests that while Lot lived in a morally compromised environment, his inner disposition remained just [12]. Commentators note that God delivered Lot from the destruction of Sodom due to his righteousness, even though he may have lingered and been hesitant to leave [11, 12, 13]. His deliverance is seen as an act of God's grace, mercifully sparing him for Abraham's sake [11].
During the destruction of Sodom, Lot offered his daughters to the mob to protect his angelic visitors, an act that Josephus records as an attempt to exhort the Sodomites to sobriety [8]. This event highlights the extreme moral degradation of Sodom and Lot's desperate attempt to uphold the laws of hospitality. Lot's wife, however, did not heed the divine command and looked back, becoming a pillar of salt [4, 16, 17]. This serves as a warning against a divided mind or a longing for the condemned world [16, 17].
After escaping Sodom, Lot's daughters, believing no men were left on earth, conceived children by their father. From these unions came Moab and Ben-ammi, who became the ancestors of the Moabites and Ammonites, respectively [7, 10, 14]. These nations later became adversaries of Israel [10]. The narrative of Lot thus illustrates themes of divine judgment, deliverance, and the consequences of moral choices, even for those considered righteous.
Sources
- Genesis “Genesis 13:5 (BBE) — And Lot, who went with him, had flocks and herds and tents;”
- Genesis “So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves the one from the other. -- Genesis 13:11”
- II Peter “II Peter 2:7 (ASV) — and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked”
- Luke “Luke 17:32 (LEB) — Remember Lot’s wife!”
- 2 Peter “and delivered righteous Lot, who was very distressed by the lustful life of the wicked -- 2 Peter 2:7”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H3876G — Man living at the time of the Patriarchs (refs: #A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.27; <br>referred to as <stron)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Ammon — Another form of the name Ben-ammi, the son of Lot (Gen. 19:38). This name is also used for his posterity (Ps. 83:7).”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 11, section 2: of Abraham. Now when the Sodomites saw the young men to be of beautiful countenances, and this to an extraordinary degree, and that they took up their lodgings with Lot, they resolved themselves to enjoy these beautiful boys by force and violence; and when Lot exhorted them to sobriety, and not to offer any thing immodest to the strangers, but to have regard to their lodging in his house; and promised that if their inclinations could not be governed, he would expose his daughters to their lust, instead of these strangers; neithe”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Lot — Lotan, wrapt up; hidden; covered; myrrh; rosin”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Ammonite — The usual name of the descendants of Ammon, the son of Lot (Gen. 19:38). From the very beginning (Deut. 2:16-20) of their history till they are lost sight of (Judg. 5:2), this tribe is closely associated with the Moabites (Judg. 10:11; 2 Chr. 20:1; Zeph. 2:8). Both of these tribes hired Balaam to curse Israel (Deut. 23:4). The Ammonites were probably more of a predatory tribe, moving from place to place, while the Moabites were more settled. They inhabited the country east of the Jordan and north of Moab and the Dead Sea, from which they had expelled the Z”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 19:15: 19:15-23 Lot escaped judgment by God’s grace, but his heart was still in Sodom. Israel would forever remember Lot as lingering, halting, and being dragged to safety by angels. The Lord mercifully spared Lot for Abraham’s sake (18:23; 19:29). Lot deserved judgment for his way of life, but he was a believer at heart and the Lord rescued him (2 Pet 2:7-8). • Lot is not alone in his conflicted lifestyle. Countless believers fall in with a corrupt world rather than flee a doomed society. God’s people, living in a pagan world, must remain separate (1 Jn 2:15-17). The ”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 2:7: When God sends destruction on the ungodly, he commands deliverance for the righteous; and, if he rain fire and brimstone on the wicked, he will cover the head of the just, and they shall be hid in the day of his anger. This we have an instance of in his preserving Lot. Here observe, 1. The character given of Lot; he is called a just man; this he was as to the generally prevailing bent of his heart and through the main of his conversation. God does not account men just or unjust from one single act, but from their general course of life. And here is a just man in t”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 23.16: have before said, the angels repeat what they had previously said to Abraham, concerning the cry of Sodomy that they may the more urgently impel Lot, by a detestation of the place, to take his flight, and may induce him by the fear of the wrath of God, to seek for safety. 14. And Lot went out . The faith of the holy man, Lot, appeared first in this, that he was completely awed and humbled at the threatening of God; secondly, that in the midst of destruction, he yet laid hold of the salvation promised to him. In inviting his sons-”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 19:36: And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi,.... That is, "the son of my people", being the son of her father; which though it does not so manifestly appear in this name, as in the other, yet there is some trace of it; and she would have it be known by this, that he was not the son of a stranger, but of a relation of her own: some attribute this to her being more modest than her elder sister; but it looks as if neither of them were sensible of any crime they had been guilty of, but rather thought it a commendable action, at least that it was ex”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 13:11: Then Lot chose him all the plain - A little civility or good breeding is of great importance in the concerns of life. Lot either had none, or did not profit by it. He certainly should have left the choice to the patriarch, and should have been guided by his counsel; but he took his own way, trusting to his own judgment, and guided only by the sight of his eyes: he beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered, etc.; so he chose the land, without considering the character of the inhabitants, or what advantages or disadvantages it might afford him in spir”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — CHAP. XI.--CONTINUATION. LOT.: On account of his hospitality and godliness, Lot was saved out of Sodom when all the country round was punished by means of fire and brimstone, the Lord thus making it manifest that He does not forsake those that hope in Him, but gives up such as depart from Him to punishment and torture.(7) For Lot's wife, who went forth with him, being of a different mind from himself, and not continuing in agreement with him [as to the command which had been given them], was made an example of, so as to be a pil”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. XL.--CONTINUATION. LOT.: On account of his hospitality and godliness, Lot was saved out of Sodore when all the country round was punished by means of fire and brimstone, the Lord thus making it manifest that He does not forsake those that hope in Him, but gives up such as depart from Him to punishment and torture.(2) For Lot's wife, who went forth with him, being of a different mind from himself and not continuing in agreement with him [as to the command which had been given them], was made an example of,”