"Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Lot Meaning in the Bible
Lot
boy
Lot means "Covering; Veil; Hidden", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Lot appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 13:12 is the passage most often tied to it. Lot's story warns that proximity to evil, even for a righteous person, leads to devastating compromise. His rescue by grace reminds us that God delivers those who call upon Him, even from situations of their own making.
Is Lot in the Bible?
Yes — Lot appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 13:12.
Pronunciation:/LAHT/
OriginHebrew
MeaningCovering; Veil; Hidden
What does Lot mean?
Lot is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Covering; Veil; Hidden". Lot means "covering" or "veil" in Hebrew. He was Abraham's nephew who chose the well-watered plains of Sodom over the hills of Canaan — a decision that would prove fateful.
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Editor’s reflection
Abraham's nephew — the man who chose the well-watered plain and lost nearly everything for it.
Lot (Hebrew לוֹט) is usually derived from a root meaning 'covering' or 'veil,' related to the word for a wrapping or concealment. It is a short, hard name in Hebrew and English alike, and it has almost never been used as a given name in Christian countries — the story attached to it is too heavy.
Lot is the son of Haran and the nephew of Abram, and he travels out of Ur with him. When their herdsmen quarrel, Abram offers the choice of land, and Lot 'lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where' (Genesis 13:10). He chooses on sight, pitches his tent toward Sodom, and by Genesis 19 he is sitting in the city gate.
The escape from Sodom is the part everybody knows, and the line Jesus draws from it is the sharpest three words in Luke: 'Remember Lot's wife' (Luke 17:32). She looked back and 'became a pillar of salt' (Genesis 19:26). What is less often noticed is 2 Peter 2:7, which calls him 'just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked' — the New Testament verdict is that he was a righteous man who had placed himself somewhere corrosive and knew it.
The English word 'lot' — a portion, a share, casting lots — is unrelated; it comes from Old English hlot. Anyone here for the name should know that Lot is read as a cautionary figure, and that the usable names from the same account are Abraham, Sarah and Melchizedek.
“Remember Lot's wife.”
What does Lot mean in the Bible?
Lot means "Covering; Veil; Hidden" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Lot means "covering" or "veil" in Hebrew. He was Abraham's nephew who chose the well-watered plains of Sodom over the hills of Canaan — a decision that would prove fateful. Despite living in a wicked city, the New Testament calls Lot "righteous" (2 Peter 2:7-8).
Lot's story is a cautionary tale about compromising proximity to evil. Though he was personally grieved by the wickedness around him, his gradual move toward Sodom — from nearby, to at the gate, to inside the city — illustrates how compromise happens incrementally.
When God destroyed Sodom, angels physically dragged Lot and his family out. His wife, looking back in longing, became a pillar of salt. Jesus later warned, "Remember Lot's wife" — a solemn reminder not to cling to what God has called us to leave behind.
Where does Lot appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Lot is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 13:12. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"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."
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Which books of the Bible mention Lot?
Lot is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Lot?
Lot's story warns that proximity to evil, even for a righteous person, leads to devastating compromise. His rescue by grace reminds us that God delivers those who call upon Him, even from situations of their own making.
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What names are related to Lot?
Names like Lot
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Covering; Veil; Hidden" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Lot
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
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Lot name meaning: frequently asked questions
2 Peter 2:7 calls him 'just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked,' so the New Testament treats him as righteous but compromised. He chose the well-watered plain of Jordan by sight (Genesis 13:10), ended up living in Sodom, and escaped its destruction while his wife looked back and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26).
Yes — Lot appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 13:12.
Lot means "Covering; Veil; Hidden." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Genesis 13:12, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Lot
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Lot?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Lot?
You can read every verse where Lot appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.