The Origin of Moab and Ammon
Genesis 19:30-38
Gen.19.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לוט: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מצוער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ושתי: CONJ+NUM,f,du
- בנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- ירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לשבת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- בצוער: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- במערה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ושתי: CONJ+NUM,f,du
- בנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 22:1-2 (thematic): David retreats to the cave of Adullam and dwells there with those allied to him — a parallel image of a beleaguered man taking refuge in a cave/mountain hideout.
- 1 Samuel 24:3 (structural): David is found in a cave where Saul enters — reinforces the motif of caves as places of refuge, concealment, and critical encounters in Israel’s narrative.
- 1 Kings 19:9-13 (thematic): After fleeing Jezebel Elijah takes shelter in a cave on Horeb, reflecting the theme of a fearful figure withdrawing to a cave to seek refuge and encounter God.
- Hebrews 11:37 (allusion): In the catalogue of faith the author notes that some wandered 'in dens and caves of the earth' — a New Testament echo of the Bible’s motif of caves as places of exile, hiding, and suffering.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
- And Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar; and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
Gen.19.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- הבכירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- הצעירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אבינו: NOUN,m,sg,suff,1,pl
- זקן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אין: PART,neg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- עלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 19:32-36 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the younger obeys, they intoxicate Lot and bear sons—directly completes the plot introduced in 19:31.
- Genesis 19:4-11 (verbal): Earlier in the same chapter men of Sodom seek sexual access to Lot's guests—provides the context and motive for the daughters' claim about 'no man in the land' and the disaster that preceded their plan.
- Genesis 38 (thematic): Tamar's deception of Judah to obtain offspring parallels the daughters' use of deception/sexual means to preserve family lineage and secure heirs outside usual marital arrangements.
- Genesis 16 (thematic): Sarai and Abram's use of Hagar as a surrogate to produce offspring resonates with Lot's daughters' resort to abnormal sexual strategies to ensure progeny for the family line.
- Judges 19:22-30 (thematic): The Levite's concubine episode echoes themes of sexual violence, hospitality violated, and communal moral breakdown similar to the Sodom narrative that frames the daughters' actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the firstborn said to the younger, Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to come in to us as is the way of all the earth.
- And the elder said to the younger, Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to come in to us, after the manner of all the earth.
Gen.19.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכה: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- נשקה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אבינו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,prsuf1pl
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונשכבה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- עמו: PREP+PRSUF,3,sg,m
- ונחיה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- מאבינו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prsuf1pl
- זרע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.19:33-36 (verbal): Immediate continuation — the daughters carry out the plan, make Lot drunk and lie with him; same language and sequence of actions.
- Gen.38:12-30 (thematic): Tamar deceives Judah to obtain offspring after his failure to provide seed—similar theme of sexual deception and preservation of lineage.
- Gen.9:20-25 (thematic): Noah’s drunkenness and sexual transgression (exposure) lead to family curse — parallel motif of drunkenness producing sexual impropriety with familial consequences.
- 2 Sam.13:1-22 (thematic): Amnon’s sexual assault of his half-sister Tamar — another instance of sexual violence within a family and its destructive aftermath.
Alternative generated candidates
- Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him, that we may keep alive seed from our father.
- Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him, that we may keep alive seed from our father.
Gen.19.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותשקין: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אביהן: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלילה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ותבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- הבכירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ותשכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אביה: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ולא: CONJ
- ידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בשכבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובקומה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 19:30-38 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the two daughters’ plan to intoxicate their father, both sexual encounters, and the resulting births of Moab and Ben-Ammi; verse 19:33 is part of this contiguous episode.
- Genesis 9:20-25 (thematic): Noah’s drunkenness and Ham’s exposure of his father (and the subsequent curse on Canaan) parallels themes of parental intoxication, sexual impropriety/exposure, and consequences for descendant nations.
- Genesis 38:12-26 (thematic): Judah and Tamar: deception/prostitution used to secure offspring—shares motifs of sexual deception, disguised/consensual encounter under false pretenses, and the birth of significant descendants.
- Leviticus 18:6-18 (thematic): Catalogue of prohibited sexual relations (incest laws); provides the legal/moral backdrop that frames the daughters’ intercourse with their father as incestuous transgression.
- Judges 19:22-30 (thematic): Grievous sexual violation occurring in a household and violation of hospitality—parallels the perversion of domestic/social norms and sexual violence/distortion of sexual ethics in a domestic setting.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they made their father drink wine that night, and the firstborn came and lay with her father; and he did not know in her lying down and in her rising.
- And they made their father drink wine that night; and the elder came and lay with her father; and he did not know in her lying down and in her rising up.
Gen.19.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ממחרת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- הבכירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- הצעירה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הן: PART
- שכבתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- אמש: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- נשקנו: VERB,hiphil,impf,1,?,pl
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובאי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- שכבי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ונחיה: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,pl
- מאבינו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,pl
- זרע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 19:33-36 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the daughters make Lot drink wine (v.33) and the result of their actions is recorded (v.36) — this is the direct continuation and outcome of v.34 (birth of Moab and Ammon).
- Genesis 38:12-30 (thematic): Tamar deceives Judah to obtain offspring (Perez and Zerah). Parallels: sexual deception used by a woman to secure lineage and produce progeny who become tribal ancestors.
- Genesis 16:1-4 (thematic): Sarah gives Hagar to Abraham so Hagar may bear a child for Sarah. Parallel theme: women arranging sexual relations (or acting on behalf of family continuity) to ensure progeny when the normal line is threatened.
- Leviticus 18:6-8 (verbal): The later priestly law forbids sexual relations with close kin, including a daughter and a father ('you shall not uncover the nakedness of your father'). This language and prohibition cast Lot's daughters' act in the terms used by the lawgiver.
- Ruth 4:10-12 (thematic): Concern for preserving a dead man's line and securing offspring for the family. The episode of Ruth (a Moabite) entering Israel's genealogy resonates ironically with Lot's daughters producing the Moabite/Ammonite peoples who later intersect Israel's history.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it was, on the next day, that the firstborn said to the younger, Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine also tonight, and you go in, lie with him, that we may keep alive seed from our father.
- And it was, on the morrow, that the elder said to the younger, Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine also tonight, and you go in, lie with him, that we may keep alive seed from our father.
Gen.19.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותשקין: VERB,hif,perf,3,f,pl
- גם: ADV
- בלילה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אביהן: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,pl
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותקם: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- הצעירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ותשכב: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- ידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בשכבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובקמה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.19:30-38 (structural): Immediate narrative context — the fuller episode in which Lot's daughters get him drunk, lie with him, and bear sons; verse 35 is part of this contiguous account.
- Gen.38:12-30 (allusion): Parallel motif of sexual activity within the family under deception to secure offspring (Tamar and Judah); both narratives involve clandestine intercourse that produces lineage-important children.
- 2 Sam.13:1-22 (thematic): The story of Amnon and Tamar shares themes of sexual violence/incest, abuse of trust within a household, and family fallout from illicit sexual acts.
- Lev.18:6-8 (thematic): Legal prohibition against sexual relations with close kin; provides the covenantal/ethical background that frames the incestuous act of a father with his daughters in Genesis 19.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know in her lying down and in her rising.
- And they made their father drink wine also that night; and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know in her lying down and in her rising up.
Gen.19.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותהרין: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,pl
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- בנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לוט: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מאביהן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,fp
Parallels
- Gen.19.37-38 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: identifies the sons born to Lot’s daughters (Moab and Ben‑Ammi) and presents them as progenitors of the Moabites and Ammonites, directly following 19:36.
- Gen.38:1-30 (thematic): Story of Tamar and Judah: an incestuous/near‑kin sexual encounter within the patriarchal family that nevertheless produces important ancestors (Perez and Zerah). Thematically parallels Lot’s daughters’ actions and the use of problematic sexual unions to continue a lineage.
- Leviticus 18:6-17 (thematic): Torah’s prohibitions against sexual relations with close kin. These laws provide the legal/ethical background that frames the Lot episode as incestuous in later priestly legislation.
- Deuteronomy 23:3-4 (thematic): Legal/communal consequence regarding Ammonites and Moabites (exclusion from the assembly). Reflects the later status and treatment of the peoples said to descend from Lot’s daughters, linking Genesis 19’s births to Israel’s law and memory.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the two daughters of Lot conceived by their father.
- And the two daughters of Lot conceived by their father.
Gen.19.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותלד: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- הבכירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותקרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 19:36 (structural): Immediate preceding verse in the same episode: recounts the daughters’ actions and that both conceived by their father, setting up the birth of Moab.
- Genesis 19:38 (structural): Parallel report of the younger daughter’s son, Ben‑ammi, described as the ancestor of the Ammonites—directly parallels the ethnogenesis of Moab in 19:37.
- Deuteronomy 2:9 (verbal): Explicitly links the people of Ar/Moab to 'the children of Lot,' preserving the tradition that Moabites descend from Lot as narrated in Genesis 19.
- Deuteronomy 23:3–4 (thematic): Legal/communal treatment of Moabites (exclusion from the assembly) reflects Israel’s view of Moab as a distinct nation with a problematic relationship to Israel’s history.
- Ruth 1:4 (thematic): Introduces Moabite women (Orpah and Ruth); Ruth’s Moabite identity later highlights Moab’s ongoing role and interaction with Israel (e.g., ancestry of David).
Alternative generated candidates
- And the firstborn bore a son, and she called his name Moab; he is the father of Moab to this day.
- And the elder bore a son, and she called his name Moab; he is the father of Moab to this day.
Gen.19.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והצעירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- גם: ADV
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ילדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותקרא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Gen.19:36-37 (verbal): Immediate narrative context: the two daughters of Lot each bear sons — the elder bears Moab (ancestor of the Moabites) and the younger bears Ben‑Ammi (ancestor of the Ammonites). Gen 19:38 continues this same account.
- 1 Chronicles 1:34 (verbal): Genealogical summary: Chronicles lists the descendants of Lot, explicitly naming Ben‑Ammi (Ben‑Ammi/Ben‑ammi) as the progenitor of the Ammonites, paralleling Genesis' origin statement.
- Deuteronomy 2:9 (thematic): Divine/practical consequence of Lot’s descendants: God instructs Israel not to harass the Moabites (and by extension related peoples) because certain territories were given to the descendants of Lot, linking back to the ethnic origins described in Gen 19.
- Judges 11:12-28 (thematic): Historical/political echo: Jephthah’s dispute with the king of the Ammonites over territory invokes earlier population movements and Israel’s relations with the Ammonites — a later consequence of the Ammonites’ identity as a distinct people descended from Lot.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the younger, she also bore a son, and she called his name Ben-ammi; he is the father of the sons of Ammon to this day.
- And the younger—she also—bore a son, and she called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the sons of Ammon to this day.
And Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar; and he dwelt in a cave—he and his two daughters. And the elder said to the younger, Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to come in to us as is the way of all the earth.
Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him, that we may keep seed alive from our father. And they made their father drink wine that night; and the elder came and lay with her father, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. And it was, on the next day, that the elder said to the younger, Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine also tonight, and you go in, lie with him, that we may keep seed alive from our father. And they made their father drink wine also that night, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. And the two daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father. And the elder bore a son, and she called his name Moab; he is the father of Moab to this day. And the younger, she also bore a son, and she called his name Ben-ammi; he is the father of the sons of Ammon to this day.