Genesis 19:32

KJV

Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

KJV (with Strong's)

Come {H3212}, let us make {H8248} our father {H1} drink {H8248} wine {H3196}, and we will lie {H7901} with him, that we may preserve {H2421} seed {H2233} of our father {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Come, let's have our father drink wine; then we'll sleep with him, and that way we'll enable our father to have descendants."

Berean Standard Bible

Come, let us get our father drunk with wine so we can sleep with him and preserve his line.”

American Standard Version

come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 19:32 records the morally reprehensible and desperate scheme conceived by Lot's two daughters. Believing themselves to be the sole survivors of a catastrophic divine judgment and isolated from all other humanity, they conspired to intoxicate their father and engage in incestuous relations with him. Their stated motivation was to "preserve seed of our father," driven by the profound ancient Near Eastern cultural imperative to continue the family lineage and prevent its perceived extinction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the cataclysmic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, a pivotal moment in the narrative of God's judgment and deliverance. Lot, having been miraculously rescued by two angels from the doomed city, fled with his two daughters, leaving behind the devastation and the tragic fate of his wife, who [looked back and became a pillar of salt](/genesis/19-26 "Genesis 19:26 - Lot's wife becomes a pillar of salt"). They initially sought refuge in the small town of Zoar but then retreated to a cave in the mountains, likely due to fear or further isolation. This extreme isolation, coupled with the trauma of witnessing the destruction and the loss of their mother, forms the immediate backdrop for the daughters' desperate and morally compromised plan. The narrative then proceeds to describe the birth of Moab and Ammon, the eponymous ancestors of nations that would later become adversaries of Israel, thereby linking this dark episode to future biblical history.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the continuation of a family line was of paramount importance, often considered a sacred duty and a source of honor. To die without offspring meant the extinction of one's name and legacy, a fate deeply feared. Lineage was crucial for inheritance, social identity, and the perpetuation of ancestral memory. Furthermore, the concept of a "seed" (Hebrew: _zeraʻ_) carried significant theological weight, particularly in the patriarchal narratives, where God's promises of numerous descendants to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were central to the covenant. The daughters' actions, while abhorrent, must be understood within this cultural imperative for progeny, albeit twisted by extreme circumstances and a warped sense of necessity. The use of wine to impair judgment was also a known practice, often leading to moral downfall, as seen in other biblical accounts like [Noah's drunkenness](/genesis/9-20-23 "Genesis 9:20-23 - Noah's Drunkenness").
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 19:32 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It starkly illustrates the **pervasive nature of human sin and depravity**, even among those who have witnessed divine judgment and experienced miraculous deliverance. The daughters' actions highlight the theme of **moral compromise born out of despair and distorted reasoning**, showing how extreme circumstances can lead individuals to violate fundamental ethical boundaries. Furthermore, this passage, along with the subsequent births of Moab and Ammon in [Genesis 19:37-38](/genesis/19-37-38 "Genesis 19:37-38 - Birth of Moab and Ammon"), subtly introduces the theme of **God's sovereignty working through, and sometimes despite, human sin**. Even from such a dark origin, God's larger redemptive plan for humanity, particularly through the promised "seed" of Abraham, continues to unfold, demonstrating that human wickedness cannot ultimately thwart divine purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The verse lays bare the daughters' calculated and disturbing plan, born out of extreme circumstances and a warped sense of necessity.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** (H1) This primitive word denotes a paternal ancestor, whether literal and immediate or figurative and remote. In this context, it refers to Lot, their direct biological father. The choice to target their "father" for procreation underscores the profound violation of familial and moral boundaries, highlighting the depth of their desperation and the twisted logic employed to achieve their goal of preserving lineage.
* **wine (Hebrew, _yayin'_):** (H3196) Derived from a root meaning "to effervesce," this term refers to fermented grape juice, often implying intoxication. Here, wine is not merely a beverage but a deliberate tool used by the daughters to incapacitate Lot, rendering him unaware and unable to resist their incestuous scheme. Its inclusion highlights the premeditated and manipulative nature of their act, as they understood Lot would not consent while sober.
* **lie (Hebrew, _shâkab'_):** (H7901) A primitive root meaning "to lie down," this verb is a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse, often with connotations of intimacy or, as in this case, illicit relations. The daughters' explicit statement, "we will lie with him," leaves no ambiguity about their intent to engage in sexual activity with their father, directly violating the foundational prohibition against incest (cf. [Leviticus 18:6-7](/leviticus/18-6-7 "Leviticus 18:6-7 - Prohibitions against Incest")).
* **seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ'_):** (H2233) This term, derived from the root "to sow," literally means "seed" but is widely used in the Old Testament to signify "offspring," "descendants," or "posterity." The daughters' motivation to "preserve seed" reflects the ancient Near Eastern cultural imperative to ensure the continuity of the family line. In their perceived isolation, they believed this was the only means to prevent their father's lineage from dying out, showcasing the immense cultural value placed on progeny, even if achieved through morally corrupt means.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Come, let us make our father drink wine,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the premeditated and collaborative nature of the daughters' plan. The imperative "Come" signals a joint decision and initiation of a deliberate action. Their intent to "make our father drink wine" reveals their understanding that Lot would not willingly participate in their scheme while sober. This act of intoxication is a calculated step to bypass his will and judgment, setting the stage for the subsequent sin.
* **"and we will lie with him,"**: This clause is the explicit and shocking statement of their intent to commit incest. The phrase "lie with him" is a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse. The directness of this statement underscores the severity of their planned transgression—a profound violation of familial bonds and a fundamental moral boundary. It highlights the desperation that drove them to consider such an act.
* **"that we may preserve seed of our father."**: This final clause provides the explicit motivation for their actions. The phrase "preserve seed" refers to ensuring the continuation of their father's lineage. In their minds, with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and their perceived isolation, they believed their family line was on the verge of extinction. This cultural imperative to perpetuate the family name, while understandable in its context, became the twisted justification for their grave sin, revealing the lengths to which individuals can go under duress and distorted reasoning.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Genesis 19:32 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Euphemism**, particularly in the phrase "lie with him," which delicately yet clearly conveys the act of sexual intercourse without explicit vulgarity. This euphemism is common in biblical narratives when describing sensitive or illicit sexual acts. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present; the daughters' desperate attempt to "preserve seed" through an act of profound moral corruption ultimately leads to the birth of the Moabites and Ammonites, nations that would later become adversaries of Israel, the very people through whom God's chosen "seed" would come. This creates a stark **Contrast** between the sanctity and order of God's creation and the chaotic, sinful actions of humanity. Furthermore, the entire episode serves as a **Foreshadowing** of the ongoing struggle between human sin and God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that even the most depraved acts cannot ultimately thwart divine purposes, though they bring severe consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 19:32 is a stark and uncomfortable passage, yet it offers profound theological insights into the human condition and God's interaction with a fallen world. It vividly illustrates the depths of human sin and the capacity for moral compromise, even among those who have just witnessed divine judgment and experienced miraculous deliverance. Faced with perceived hopelessness and extreme trauma, the daughters resorted to a grave sin, demonstrating how desperate circumstances can distort moral reasoning and lead to actions that violate fundamental divine and natural laws. This account underscores that salvation from physical destruction does not automatically equate to moral purity or spiritual redemption, revealing the pervasive nature of sin that affects even the 'righteous' (like Lot) and his family.

* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death")
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's declaration of God's good purpose despite evil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Genesis 19:32 describes a profoundly sinful act, it offers timeless insights into the human condition and serves as a powerful cautionary tale. It reveals the devastating impact of sin and judgment on human behavior, illustrating how even in moments of extreme despair, individuals can resort to desperate and morally reprehensible measures. This passage underscores the critical importance of maintaining a steadfast [trust in God's sovereign provision and guidance](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart"), even when circumstances seem dire or hopeless. It reminds believers that true hope, moral grounding, and ethical discernment are found not in human schemes or distorted reasoning, but in divine wisdom, unwavering faith, and adherence to God's revealed will, especially when faced with overwhelming challenges, trauma, or a sense of isolation. It challenges us to consider how we respond when our perceived options are limited, and whether we will allow despair to lead us away from God's righteous path.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does extreme trauma or perceived isolation influence moral decision-making, and what safeguards can believers put in place to prevent such distortions?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to justify morally questionable actions today based on a perceived "greater good" or desperate circumstances?**
* **How does this passage encourage us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision and sovereignty, even when our immediate circumstances seem hopeless?**

### FAQ
**Why did Lot's daughters believe they were the last people on earth?**

Answer: After witnessing the complete and devastating destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and having fled to a cave in the mountains, Lot's daughters likely felt utterly isolated and believed themselves to be the last surviving humans in their known world. Their perception was probably limited to their immediate vicinity, and the scale of the devastation they had just witnessed, coupled with the trauma of losing their home and mother, may have led them to believe that all other human life had been extinguished. This extreme trauma and isolation likely distorted their reasoning, leading to their desperate conclusion that perpetuating their father's lineage was solely dependent on them.

**Does the Bible condone the actions of Lot's daughters?**

Answer: No. The Bible records the actions of Lot's daughters with unflinching honesty, but it does not condone them. While the immediate passage does not contain an explicit statement of condemnation, the broader biblical narrative consistently portrays incest, drunkenness, and deception as sinful. The unvarnished portrayal serves to reveal human depravity and the consequences of sin, not to endorse the actions themselves. Furthermore, the subsequent history of the Moabites and Ammonites, born from these unions ([Genesis 19:37-38](/genesis/19-37-38 "Genesis 19:37-38 - Birth of Moab and Ammon")), often shows them in antagonistic relationships with Israel, suggesting divine disapproval of their origins and the ongoing consequences of their founders' sin.

**What is the significance of "preserving seed" in ancient culture?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern societies, the continuation of a family's lineage, or "preserving seed," was of paramount importance. It was not merely a matter of personal desire but a cultural and often religious imperative. Having offspring ensured the perpetuation of the family name, the inheritance of property, the continuation of ancestral memory, and the fulfillment of social obligations. To die without descendants was considered a great tragedy, as it meant the extinction of one's line and legacy. This deep-seated cultural value, while understandable, was tragically twisted by Lot's daughters into a justification for a grave sin, highlighting how even legitimate cultural pressures can be perverted in moments of desperation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 19:32, though a dark passage detailing human sin and moral depravity, ultimately points to the profound necessity of Christ and the perfect righteousness He embodies. This account of incestuous acts, born out of despair and distorted reasoning, starkly highlights humanity's desperate need for a redeemer. It underscores that even those who escape physical judgment, like Lot's family from Sodom, remain captive to the pervasive power of sin, incapable of truly saving themselves or establishing a righteous lineage through their own efforts. The narrative, by exposing the depth of human brokenness and the futility of self-devised solutions, implicitly magnifies the grace and perfect righteousness found only in Jesus Christ. He alone offers true deliverance from sin's bondage, not through human schemes or fleshly desires, but through His atoning sacrifice ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ became sin for us")). Through faith in Him, believers are granted a new, spiritual lineage, becoming children of God ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God by believing in His name")) and heirs according to the promise ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs according to the promise")). This stands in stark contrast to the morally compromised origins of Moab and Ammon, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan for humanity is fulfilled not through human sin, but through the perfect Son, Jesus Christ, the ultimate "seed" who brings life and righteousness ([Romans 5:17](/romans/5-17 "Romans 5:17 - Reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 18:6

¶ None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover [their] nakedness: I [am] the LORD.

Leviticus 18:7

The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she [is] thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

Genesis 11:3

And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

Mark 12:19

Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave [his] wife [behind him], and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Habakkuk 2:15

¶ Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to [him], and makest [him] drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

Habakkuk 2:16

Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing [shall be] on thy glory.

Genesis 9:21

And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.