“And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.”
This verse is part of the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the preceding verses, Lot, the nephew of Abraham, escaped the destruction along with his two daughters. They settled in a cave in the mountains, fearing to stay in the nearby city of Zoar. In Genesis 19:37, it is mentioned that Lot’s older daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab.
The verse further explains that Moab:became the father of the Moabite people. The Moabites were an ancient people who lived in the region east of the Dead Sea, in what is now modern-day Jordan. This verse provides insight into the origin of the Moabite people.
According to biblical genealogy, they were descendants of Lot, who was Abraham’s nephew. The Moabites are often mentioned throughout the Old Testament as a neighboring people to the Israelites. They had a complex relationship with the Israelites, sometimes being allies and at other times adversaries.
The naming of Moab can be seen as significant. In Hebrew, Moab sounds similar to the phrase from my father. It is believed that Lot’s older daughter named him Moab because he was conceived in an unusual circumstance.
After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, when they believed there were no men left to give them children, the daughters resorted to an act of incest with their father, Lot, resulting in their pregnancies. This account raises moral and ethical questions, as the actions of Lot and his daughters can be seen as highly problematic.
The Bible records events, both positive and negative, and the actions of its characters do not always reflect divine approval or moral righteousness. Instead, it presents a historical account of humanity, showing the flaws and mistakes of individuals and their consequences.
