Topical Bible: Pillar: Pillar of Salt, Lot's Wife Turned To

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The account of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt is one of the most striking and memorable narratives in the Bible, found in the book of Genesis. This event occurs during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities notorious for their wickedness and sin.

Biblical Account:

The account is recounted in Genesis 19. God, having determined to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their grievous sins, sends two angels to rescue Lot and his family from the impending judgment. The angels warn Lot to take his wife and daughters and flee the city without looking back. Genesis 19:17 states, "As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, 'Flee for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!'"

Despite the clear warning, Lot's wife disobeys. Genesis 19:26 records, "But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." Her transformation into a pillar of salt serves as a dramatic symbol of the consequences of disobedience and attachment to a sinful past.

Theological Significance:

The transformation of Lot's wife into a pillar of salt is often interpreted as a divine judgment for her disobedience and reluctance to fully separate from the sinful environment of Sodom. Her act of looking back is seen as a metaphor for longing for the past and failing to trust in God's deliverance. This narrative underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands and the dangers of spiritual complacency.

Symbolism and Lessons:

1. Obedience to God: The account emphasizes the necessity of complete obedience to God's instructions. Lot's wife's fate serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of disregarding divine warnings.

2. Detachment from Sin: Her transformation into a pillar of salt symbolizes the need for believers to detach themselves from sin and not look back longingly at a life contrary to God's will.

3. Judgment and Mercy: The narrative highlights both God's judgment on sin and His mercy in providing a way of escape for Lot and his family. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the grace available to those who heed God's warnings.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, salt was a valuable commodity, often used for preservation and purification. The imagery of a pillar of salt may have resonated with contemporary audiences as a stark and enduring reminder of divine judgment. The geographical region around the Dead Sea, where Sodom and Gomorrah were located, is known for its salt formations, which may have contributed to the vividness of this imagery.

New Testament Reference:

The account of Lot's wife is referenced in the New Testament as a warning to believers. In Luke 17:32 , Jesus admonishes His followers, "Remember Lot’s wife!" This exhortation serves as a reminder to remain steadfast in faith and not to be swayed by worldly temptations or distractions.

The account of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt remains a powerful narrative within the biblical tradition, illustrating the themes of obedience, judgment, and the necessity of wholehearted devotion to God.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 19:26
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 17:32
Remember Lot's wife.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Lot's Flight from Sodom.
... Alas! that is Lot's wife; the angel had commanded them that none were to look
back, but she did so, and was turned into a pillar of salt. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/lots flight from sodom.htm

Lot's Escape from a Wicked City
... grew on the ground. But Lot's wife, who was following him, looked back,
and she became a pillar of salt. Early in the morning ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/lots escape from a wicked.htm

How a Thing May be Involuntary.
... thought, since Lot's wife, who had merely voluntarily turned towards worldly wickedness,
He left a senseless mass, rendering her a pillar of salt, and fixed ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xiv how a thing may.htm

Chapter xix
... Lot's wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. According
to the words employed Lot's wife must already at the time of her looking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xix.htm

Man's Life his Monument.
... memorial of white marble. The evil life stands too, like Lot's wife turned
to a pillar of salt, a monument of sin and disobedience. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxviii mans life his.htm

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... heap of ashes. Only Lot's wife looked back to see the burning cities,
and she became a pillar of salt. The next morning ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

And Whereas Celsus Ought to have Recognised the Love of Truth ...
... escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed;" [3900] nor what is intended by Lot
and his wife, who became a pillar of salt because she turned back; nor by ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlv and whereas celsus.htm

On the Words, and in one Holy Catholic Church, and in the ...
... was made salt contrary to nature; and flesh was turned into salt; and shall not
flesh be restored to flesh? Was Lot's wife made a pillar of salt, and shall not ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xviii on the words.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... turning of Lot's wife into a pillar of salt. The story of Noah, the flood, and the
ark. That God spoke to Moses out of a burning bush. That Aaron turned his ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

Bunyan -- the Heavenly Footman
... his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt; and yet ... I
have sometimes wondered at Lot in this particular; his wife looked behind ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bunyan the heavenly footman.htm