Topical Bible: Children: Wicked: Lot's Daughters

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Topical Encyclopedia

Lot's daughters are notable figures in the biblical narrative, particularly in the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Their account is found in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 19. The actions of Lot's daughters have been the subject of much discussion and analysis within biblical scholarship and among conservative Christian circles.

Background

Lot, the nephew of Abraham, lived in the city of Sodom, which was known for its wickedness. God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their grievous sins. However, because of Abraham's intercession, God sent two angels to rescue Lot and his family from the impending destruction. The angels instructed Lot, his wife, and his two daughters to flee the city and not look back. As they fled, Lot's wife disobeyed the command and looked back, turning into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26).

The Actions of Lot's Daughters

After escaping to the small town of Zoar and subsequently settling in a cave in the mountains, Lot's daughters took drastic actions driven by fear and desperation. Believing that they were the last people on earth and that there were no men left to continue their family line, they devised a plan to preserve their father's lineage. They decided to get their father drunk and lie with him, resulting in both daughters becoming pregnant by their father (Genesis 19:31-33).

The elder daughter bore a son named Moab, who became the ancestor of the Moabites, while the younger daughter bore a son named Ben-Ammi, the ancestor of the Ammonites (Genesis 19:37-38). These two nations would later become significant in the biblical narrative, often in opposition to the Israelites.

Moral and Theological Considerations

From a conservative Christian perspective, the actions of Lot's daughters are viewed as morally reprehensible. Their decision to engage in incestuous relations with their father is seen as a grave sin, reflecting the moral decay and influence of the environment from which they came. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of living in a corrupt society and the importance of maintaining moral integrity.

The account of Lot's daughters also highlights the theme of human frailty and the tendency to rely on human reasoning rather than trusting in God's provision and timing. Despite their misguided actions, God's overarching plan continued, demonstrating His sovereignty and ability to work through even the most flawed human actions.

Biblical References

· Genesis 19:26 : "But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt."
· Genesis 19:31-33 : "Then the firstborn said to the younger, 'Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to sleep with us as is the custom of all the earth. Come, let us get our father drunk with wine so we can sleep with him and preserve his line.' So that night they got their father drunk with wine, and the firstborn went in and slept with her father; and he was not aware when she lay down or when she got up."
· Genesis 19:37-38 : "The older daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab. He is the father of the Moabites of today. The younger daughter also gave birth to a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites of today."

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 19:14,30-38
And Lot went out, and spoke to his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked to his sons in law.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Lot's Escape from a Wicked City
The Children's Bible. ... And that the righteous should be treated as the wicked, far
be it ... When the dawn appeared, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Get up, take your ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/lots escape from a wicked.htm

Book 1 Footnotes:
... Shem is also called the father of all the children of Heber, or of all the Hebrews ...
[24] I see no proper wicked intention in these daughters of Lot, when in a ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 1 footnotes .htm

How God Overthrew the Nation of the Sodomites, Out of his Wrath ...
... it was impossible she should bear children, since she was ... he would not destroy the
righteous with the wicked. ... by force and violence; and when Lot exhorted them ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how god overthrew.htm

The Importance of a Choice
... the men of the plain were 'wicked and sinners ... But Lot evidently never thought about
that ... themselves Christians select schools for their children, or professions ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the importance of a choice.htm

Letter cxxii. To Rusticus.
... called because the little faith that Lot possessed, though ... same words: "Return,"
he cries, "O children of Israel, ye who think deep counsel and wicked. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxii to rusticus.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... destroy the just and righteous man with the wicked sinner. ... kinsmen and said: Arise
and take your children, and go ... it was day the angels said to Lot: Arise, and ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

Chapter xxxvi
... 36:21) ""gazelle"; Alvan (v. Genesis 36:23)""wicked"; Shepho ""bald ... (1) Esau's Wives
and Children and their ... was by this time resigned to his lot that he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... come with a sword and spare nobody, righteous or wicked. ... in his irrational craving
to have children, and not ... is not ours, which tells how Lot, Abraham's brother ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Antichrist.
... shall talk of her as Israel's children's children were to ... discern, between the righteous
and the wicked; yea, they ... If it cost Lot's wife dear for but looking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxiii antichrist.htm

Five Catechetical Lectures the Same Author,
... long been wishing, O true-born and dearly beloved children of the ... I renounce thee,
Satan,""thou wicked and most ... the old history which tells us of Lot and his ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/five catechetical lectures the same.htm