Topical Bible: Hospitality: Lot

◄ Hospitality: Lot ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Lot, the nephew of Abraham, is a significant biblical figure known for his act of hospitality, which is prominently featured in the book of Genesis. His account provides a profound example of the cultural and spiritual importance of hospitality in the ancient Near East, as well as its moral implications.

Biblical Account

The account of Lot's hospitality is found in Genesis 19. Lot was residing in the city of Sodom, a place notorious for its wickedness. One evening, two angels, appearing as men, arrived in Sodom. Lot, sitting at the city gate, saw them and immediately rose to greet them. Demonstrating the customary hospitality of the time, he bowed with his face to the ground and invited them to stay at his house. He said, "My lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning" (Genesis 19:2).

Despite their initial refusal, Lot insisted strongly, and they agreed to stay with him. He prepared a feast for them, baking unleavened bread, and they ate (Genesis 19:3). This act of hospitality was not merely a social custom but a moral duty, reflecting the values of protection and care for strangers.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Lot's hospitality is set against the backdrop of Sodom's depravity. The men of Sodom surrounded Lot's house, demanding that he bring out his guests so they could abuse them. Lot went out to them and pleaded, "Please, my brothers, do not do such a wicked thing" (Genesis 19:7). In a controversial and desperate attempt to protect his guests, Lot offered his daughters instead, highlighting the extreme lengths to which he was willing to go to uphold the sacred duty of hospitality.

This narrative underscores the stark contrast between Lot's righteousness and the wickedness of Sodom. Lot's actions, though flawed, demonstrate a commitment to the protection and care of his guests, reflecting the biblical principle of loving and serving others, even at great personal cost.

Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was a sacred obligation. It was a societal norm to offer shelter, food, and protection to travelers and strangers. This practice was deeply rooted in the belief that guests were to be treated with honor and respect, as they could be messengers from God or even divine beings themselves, as was the case with the angels visiting Lot.

Theological Significance

Lot's hospitality is a precursor to the New Testament teachings on hospitality. The Epistle to the Hebrews echoes this sentiment, urging believers to "not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). Lot's account serves as a reminder of the importance of hospitality as an expression of faith and righteousness.

Conclusion

Lot's example of hospitality, despite its complexities, remains a powerful testament to the biblical call to love and serve others. His actions, set against the moral decay of Sodom, highlight the enduring value of hospitality as a reflection of God's love and care for humanity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 19:2,3
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and you shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, No; but we will abide in the street all night.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Appearance to Lot is Examined.
... objected that except they were known to be angels of God, Lot would not have bowed
himself with his face to the ground. Why, then, is both hospitality and food ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 12 the appearance to lot.htm

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 ...
/.../the first epistle of clement to the corinthians/chapter xi continuation lot.htm

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 ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xi continuation lot.htm

To Defend the Weak, or to Help Strangers, or to Perform Similar ...
... Lot also, his nephew, [532] who was near to him not only in relationship but also
in virtue, on account of his readiness to show hospitality, turned aside the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxi to defend the.htm

Passages from Clement's Epistle to the Corinthians on Martyrdom.
... was saved; and Abraham, who for his faith and hospitality was called the friend
of God, and was the father of Isaac." "For hospitality and piety, Lot was saved ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvii passages from clements epistle.htm

Of the Three Men or Angels, in whom the Lord is Related to have ...
... it much more credible that both Abraham in the three men and Lot in the ... was about
them something so excellent, that those who showed them hospitality as men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 29 of the three men.htm

Chapter xix
... Lot's hospitality is no mere oriental gesture; it is entirely sincere. So
he adds entreaty to his invitation, without doubt because ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xix.htm

At the Same Time God Spoke to Abraham, and Promised that his Seed ...
... sent to Sodom, found Lot sitting in the gate of the city. He supposed them to be
human beings, and welcomed them to share in his hospitality, and provided an ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter vi at the same.htm

A Strain of Sodom.
... rendered than in our text, thus: "he zealously discharges" (ie, fulfils) "his sacred
pledges" (ie, the promised hospitality which he ... [1227] ie, Lot's race or ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/2 a strain of sodom.htm

Sundry Exhortations.
... their way to destroy the Cities of the Plain, Abraham and Lot entertained them ... the
Christian Church; but the Apostle's meaning is not that hospitality ought to ...
/.../chapter xvi sundry exhortations.htm