לוֹט
Lot, Abraham's nephew
Definition
Lot (לוֹט) is the proper name of Abraham's nephew, a significant figure in the patriarchal narratives. He is introduced as the son of Haran and grandson of Terah, who accompanies Abraham from Ur to Canaan (Genesis 11:27, 31). Lot's story primarily unfolds in Genesis 11–19, where he is depicted as a wealthy herdsman whose separation from Abraham leads him to settle in the prosperous but wicked city of Sodom (Genesis 13:5-12). His narrative includes his rescue from Sodom's destruction (Genesis 19) and the troubling episode with his daughters, resulting in the birth of the Moabite and Ammonite nations (Genesis 19:30-38).
Biblical Usage
The name לוֹט appears exclusively in the book of Genesis (30 times), concentrated in chapters 11–14 and 19. It is used solely as a proper noun referring to Abraham's nephew. The usage patterns highlight his relationship to Abraham (e.g., Genesis 12:5, 'Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son'), his independent choices (Genesis 13:11, 'Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley'), and his role as a recipient of rescue and mercy (Genesis 19:29).
Etymology
The name לוֹט (Lôwṭ) is identical to the common noun לוֹט (H3875), meaning 'covering, veil, or wrapping.' This noun derives from the root לוט (l-w-t), conveying the sense of 'to wrap' or 'to envelop.' While the exact reason for Lot's naming is not explained in the biblical text, the semantic connection to 'covering' may subtly foreshadow themes in his life—such as being 'covered' or protected by God's mercy during the judgment on Sodom (Genesis 19:15-16) or the 'veiling' of his daughters' actions.
Semantic Range
Lot's story is theologically significant as a narrative of divine mercy, human compromise, and the consequences of worldly choices. Though called 'righteous' in 2 Peter 2:7-8, his life illustrates the peril of settling among profound wickedness (Genesis 13:12-13). His rescue demonstrates God's faithfulness to Abraham (Genesis 19:29) and serves as a paradigm of God's justice in judging sin (the destruction of Sodom) coupled with His grace in delivering the faithful. Understanding Lot's Hebrew name and narrative enriches reading by highlighting the tension between God's covenantal promises to Abraham and the flawed agency of those associated with him.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, Lot's role as a nephew traveling with his uncle Abraham reflects typical kinship patterns and inheritance customs, where a childless uncle might adopt a nephew as an heir. His choice of the well-watered Jordan Valley (Genesis 13:10-11) aligns with the high value placed on prime grazing land for pastoralists. The subsequent conflict with Abraham (Genesis 13:7-8) illustrates the social importance of maintaining peaceful relations between large households to avoid strife. His settlement in Sodom, a city notorious in biblical and extra-biblical tradition for its wickedness, places him in a cultural setting marked by moral depravity and divine judgment.
None. As a proper name, לוֹט has no direct synonyms. It is distinct from the common noun לוֹט (H3875) meaning 'covering,' from which it is derived.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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