Lot
malePatriarchalMeaning: “Covering; veil”
Abraham’s nephew, who journeyed with him to Canaan and settled in Sodom. He was rescued from the city’s destruction but lost his wife and his home.
Biography
Lot, the nephew of Abraham, is a study in the cost of worldly choices. Though Peter calls him "just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked" (2 Peter 2:7), his story is one of gradual compromise.
Choosing the plain of Jordan
When the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot quarreled, Abraham generously offered Lot first choice of land. Lot "lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where" and chose it, pitching his tent "toward Sodom" (Genesis 13:10–12). The narrator adds ominously that "the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly" (Genesis 13:13).
Rescued by Abraham — and by angels
Lot was captured when raiding kings sacked Sodom, and Abraham rescued him (Genesis 14:12–16). Later, when God determined to destroy Sodom, two angels urged Lot to flee. He lingered, and "the LORD being merciful unto him," they seized his hand and led him out (Genesis 19:16). His wife looked back and "became a pillar of salt" (Genesis 19:26) — a warning Jesus echoes: "Remember Lot's wife" (Luke 17:32).
A diminished end
Lot ended his days in a cave, and his two daughters bore sons by him — Moab and Ben-ammi, fathers of the Moabites and Ammonites (Genesis 19:36–38). His life warns that proximity to sin, chosen for its advantages, exacts a heavy toll.
Life Timeline
Travels with Abraham from Haran to Canaan
Chooses the plain of Jordan and moves toward Sodom
Captured by raiding kings and rescued by Abraham
Rescued by angels from the destruction of Sodom
On the Bible timeline
Lot belongs to the Creation & the Early World era (Beginning – c. 2100 BC).
- c. 2200 BCThe Tower of Babel
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Lot
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Lot appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
9 verses in 3 booksGenesis7 verses
Genesis 11:27
Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
Genesis 12:5
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
Genesis 13:11
Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Genesis 14:12
And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
Genesis 19:1
And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
Genesis 19:16
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.
Genesis 19:26
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Luke1 verse
Luke 17:32
Remember Lot’s wife.
2 Peter1 verse
2 Peter 2:7
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
Frequently asked about Lot
Who was Lot in the Bible?
Abraham’s nephew, who journeyed with him to Canaan and settled in Sodom. He was rescued from the city’s destruction but lost his wife and his home.
What does the name Lot mean?
The name Lot means “Covering; veil”.
What did Lot do in the Bible?
Lot served as herdsman, of the tribe of Hebrew.
Who were Lot's parents?
Lot was the child of Haran.
Where does Lot appear in the Bible?
Lot is mentioned 9 times across 3 books: Genesis, Luke, 2 Peter.
What can we learn from Lot?
The story of Lot touches on themes of sodom, abraham, angel (1), pillar — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Lot's life.
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