Who Was Lot in the Bible — In Biblical Context
Lot was Abraham's nephew who chose the fertile plain of Sodom, was rescued by angels, and fathered the nations of Moab and Ammon.
Lot was Abraham's nephew who chose the fertile plain of Sodom, was rescued by angels, and fathered the nations of Moab and Ammon.
"And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where... Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other." — Genesis 13:10-11 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Lot was the son of Abraham's brother Haran, making him Abraham's nephew. He accompanied Abraham from Ur to Canaan and later to Egypt and back. When their herds grew too large to graze together, Abraham graciously offered Lot first choice of the land. Lot looked toward the well-watered plain of Jordan, pitched his tent toward Sodom, and eventually moved into the city. Sodom was wicked, and God determined to destroy it. Two angels visited Lot, and the men of Sodom demanded to abuse them. The angels struck the mob with blindness and urged Lot to flee with his family. His sons-in-law mocked him; his wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. Lot and his daughters escaped to a cave, where the daughters, fearing they were the last people on earth, got their father drunk and conceived by him. Lot's descendants became the Moabites and Ammonites — perpetual enemies of Israel. Lot's story is a tragic warning about the corrupting influence of compromise with the world.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Genesis 13:10-11, sits inside Genesis 13. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where... Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other."
Supporting Passages
"And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city."
"And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)"
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