The older daughter gave birth to a sonThis phrase highlights the continuation of Lot's lineage through his daughters after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The birth of a son signifies the importance of male offspring in ancient Near Eastern cultures for the continuation of family lines and inheritance rights. The context of this birth is significant, as it follows the morally complex and troubling events involving Lot and his daughters, reflecting the consequences of living in a corrupt society.
and named him Moab.
The name "Moab" is believed to mean "from the father," which is a direct reference to the circumstances of his conception. Naming in the Bible often carries significant meaning, reflecting character, destiny, or circumstances surrounding birth. The name Moab serves as a perpetual reminder of the origins of this people group, which would later have a complex relationship with Israel.
He is the father of the Moabites of today.
This phrase establishes Moab as the progenitor of the Moabite nation, a people who would become both relatives and adversaries of Israel. The Moabites settled in the region east of the Dead Sea, an area known for its fertile land. Throughout biblical history, the Moabites had a tumultuous relationship with Israel, sometimes engaging in conflict and at other times in alliances. Notably, Ruth, a Moabite woman, becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ, illustrating God's redemptive plan through all nations.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The Older DaughterThe unnamed elder daughter of Lot, who, along with her sister, took drastic measures to preserve their family line after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
2.
MoabThe son born to Lot's older daughter, who became the progenitor of the Moabite people. The name "Moab" is often understood to mean "from the father," reflecting the circumstances of his conception.
3.
LotThe nephew of Abraham, who settled in Sodom and was rescued by angels before its destruction. His daughters' actions led to the birth of Moab and Ammon.
4.
MoabitesA people group descended from Moab, often in conflict with Israel throughout biblical history. They inhabited the region east of the Dead Sea.
5.
Sodom and GomorrahCities destroyed by God due to their wickedness, leading to Lot and his daughters' escape and subsequent actions.
Teaching Points
Consequences of Sinful ChoicesThe actions of Lot's daughters, driven by fear and desperation, resulted in long-term consequences, illustrating how sin can have lasting impacts.
God's Sovereignty and RedemptionDespite the origins of the Moabites, God used Ruth, a Moabite, in the lineage of Jesus, demonstrating His ability to redeem and use all people for His purposes.
Cultural and Familial InfluencesThe account highlights the influence of cultural and familial pressures, reminding believers to seek God's guidance rather than relying on human wisdom.
Intercession and MercyLot's rescue from Sodom was due to Abraham's intercession, showing the power of prayer and God's mercy even amidst judgment.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 19:37?
2.How does Genesis 19:37 illustrate consequences of Lot's choices for future generations?
3.What lessons can we learn from Moab's origins about God's plan for nations?
4.How does Genesis 19:37 connect to Israel's later interactions with the Moabites?
5.In what ways can we avoid repeating Lot's mistakes in our own lives?
6.How can understanding Genesis 19:37 help us make godly decisions today?
7.Why is the origin of the Moabites significant in Genesis 19:37?
8.How does Genesis 19:37 reflect on Lot's character and decisions?
9.What theological implications arise from the birth of Moab in Genesis 19:37?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 19?
11.Who were the Ammonites in the Bible?
12.Why does Isaiah 15 focus on Moab’s seemingly complete devastation, while other passages describe Moab’s later resilience?
13.Why does Jeremiah 48:1–39 repeatedly portray divine retaliation against Moab with no apparent path for redemption?
14.Who were the Moabites in the Bible?What Does Genesis 19:37 Mean
The older daughter• After the fire-and-brimstone destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19:24-29), Lot retreats with his two daughters to a cave in the hills (Genesis 19:30).
• Fearing extinction of their family line, the daughters plot to become pregnant by their father (Genesis 19:31-36). The older daughter takes the initiative, and Scripture records the event without embellishment, emphasizing historical fact.
• This verse reminds us that even in dark, compromising moments, God records events truthfully (2 Timothy 3:16) and later weaves His larger purposes through them, just as He did in Joseph’s story (Genesis 50:20).
gave birth to a son• The text moves quickly from sin to birth, underscoring that life itself is still God-given (Psalm 127:3).
• While Scripture never excuses the daughters’ scheme (cf.Leviticus 18:6-7), it does affirm that the child was a real person within God’s unfolding plan—similar to how Perez was born to Tamar after another scandal (Genesis 38:27-30).
• God’s sovereign purposes are not thwarted by human error; He can transform painful beginnings into outcomes that serve His overarching redemptive narrative (Romans 8:28).
and named him Moab• “The older daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab.” (Genesis 19:37)
• Naming in Scripture often signals destiny. By choosing the name herself, the daughter indicates ownership of her decision, yet the child’s future rests in God’s hands (1 Samuel 1:20 for a similar naming moment).
• Moab’s later interactions with Israel—both hostile and benevolent—stem from this single naming event (Numbers 22:1-6;Ruth 1:4).
He is the father of the Moabites of today• The verse bridges past and present, showing that Moses (the human writer) and his original audience knew the Moabite nation first-hand (Deuteronomy 2:9).
• Moab becomes:
– An early adversary (Numbers 22–24;Judges 3:12-14).
– A place of refuge for Naomi’s family and the homeland of Ruth, who ultimately enters the lineage of David and Christ (Ruth 4:13-22;Matthew 1:5).
– A nation eventually judged for pride yet offered hope in messianic prophecies (Isaiah 15 – 16).
• The line “of today” affirms the literal continuity from one child to an entire people group, reinforcing the historical reliability of Genesis.
summaryGenesis 19:37 captures more than a birth announcement; it reveals how God records real history, even when marred by human failure. The older daughter’s son, Moab, becomes progenitor of a significant neighboring nation—one that opposes Israel, shelters Naomi, and ultimately contributes Ruth to the Messianic line. The verse testifies that God’s sovereign purposes march on, turning even flawed beginnings into threads within His grand redemptive tapestry.
(37, 38)
Moab . . . Ben-ammi.--Both these names suggest an incestuous origin, but the latter in a less repulsive way. "Son of my people" means one born of intercourse with her own kin and family. It is a striking proof of the vigour of the race of Terah, that from this lone cavern, and after the loss of all the wealth possessed by Lot, these two children were able to reduce to obedience the aborigines dwelling on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, and establish petty kingdoms there. Both Moabites and Ammonites have finally merged in the Arabs.
Verse 37. -And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab -Meab, from the father, alluding to his incestuous origin (LXX., which addsλέγουσα ἐκ τοῦ πατρόςμοῦ; Augustine, Jerome, Delitzsch, Keil); thoughMo (water, an Arabic euphemism for the semenvirile) andab has been advanced as a more correct derivation (Rosenmüller). The same is the father of the Moabites - who originally inhabited the country northeast of the Dead Sea, between the Jabbok and the Arnon (Deuteronomy 2:20), but were afterwards driven by the Amorites south of the Arnou - unto this day. This phrase, indicating a variable period from a few years to a few centuries (cf.Genesis 48:13;Exodus 10:6;Numbers 22:39;Joshua 22:3), cannot be regarded as a trace of post-Mosaic authorship (De Wette,et alii), since in Genesis it is always used of events which had taken place several centuries before the time of Moses, as inGenesis 26:33; 35:30; 47:26 (cf. Heil, 'Introduction,' part 1. § 2, div. 1, § 33).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The older [daughter]
הַבְּכִירָה֙(hab·bə·ḵî·rāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1067:First-born (always of women)
gave birth to
וַתֵּ֤לֶד(wat·tê·leḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage
a son
בֵּ֔ן(bên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121:A son
and named
וַתִּקְרָ֥א(wat·tiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7121:To call, proclaim, read
him Moab.
מוֹאָ֑ב(mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124:Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled
He
ה֥וּא(hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, are
is the father
אֲבִֽי־(’ă·ḇî-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1:Father
of the Moabites
מוֹאָ֖ב(mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124:Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled
of
עַד־(‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, while
today.
הַיּֽוֹם׃(hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A day
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OT Law: Genesis 19:37 The firstborn bore a son and named (Gen. Ge Gn)
