“And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.”
This verse is part of the narrative of the account of Lot and his daughters, which follows the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. To understand the context of this verse, it’s necessary to examine the events leading up to it. In Genesis 19, two angels arrived in Sodom in the evening and were greeted by Lot:who offered them hospitality and urged them to stay at his house. However, the wicked men of the city, upon seeing the angels, surrounded Lot’s house and demanded that the visitors be brought out to them so they could have sexual relations with them. Lot, seeking to protect his guests, offered his two virgin daughters to the men instead, hoping to redirect their sinful desires. However, the angels intervened and struck the men with blindness.
Knowing that God intended to destroy the city of Sodom, the angels urged Lot and his family to flee from the impending judgment. Lot, his wife, and two daughters left the city, but Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Lot and his daughters sought refuge in a cave in the mountains.
In the cave, Lot’s daughters became concerned about the future and the possibility of not having offspring. They devised a plan to have children by their father. They made their father, Lot, drink wine on two consecutive nights, and each daughter had sexual relations with him without his knowledge. The older daughter went in first, and then the younger daughter followed the next night.
Genesis 19:33:describes the act of the firstborn daughter having sexual relations with Lot while he was under the influence of wine. It emphasizes that Lot was unaware of what happened, both when the daughter lay down and when she arose. The account continues in the following verses, stating that both daughters became pregnant by their father. The older daughter gave birth to a son named Moab, who would become the ancestor of the Moabites. The younger daughter gave birth to a son named Ben‑Ammi, who would become the ancestor of the Ammonites.
This passage presents a morally challenging situation, and it raises questions about the actions of Lot and his daughters. The Bible does not provide a clear endorsement of their behavior but rather records it as a historical event. It is essential to understand that this account describes a time before the Mosaic Law, in a society and culture that had significant moral decay. It is worth noting that this passage does not excuse or justify incest or any form of sexual immorality. The Bible consistently condemns such behavior in other parts of Scripture.
The inclusion of this account serves to highlight the consequences of the moral degradation of Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as to illustrate the flawed actions of individuals in desperate circumstances. Overall, this passage serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for moral righteousness. It also showcases the brokenness of humanity and the reality that even those considered righteous, like Lot, can make grave mistakes.
