Genesis 19:35

KJV

And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they made {H8248} their father {H1} drink {H8248} wine {H3196} that {H1931} night {H3915} also: and the younger {H6810} arose {H6965}, and lay {H7901} with him; and he perceived {H3045} not when she lay down {H7901}, nor when she arose {H6965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They plied their father with wine that night also, and the younger one got up and slept with him, and he didn't know when she lay down or when she got up.

Berean Standard Bible

So again that night they got their father drunk with wine, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him; he was not aware when she lay down or when she got up.

American Standard Version

And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he knew not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 19:35 continues the somber narrative of Lot and his daughters following the catastrophic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, detailing the younger daughter's calculated act of incest with her father. Mirroring the previous night's events, the daughters again intoxicate Lot, enabling the younger sister to lie with him, with the text explicitly stating Lot's complete lack of awareness during the entire encounter, underscoring the daughters' desperate and morally compromised resolve to perpetuate their family line.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 19:35 is the culmination of a deeply disturbing sequence of events initiated immediately after Lot and his two daughters escape the fiery judgment on [Sodom and Gomorrah](/genesis/19-28 "The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). Having witnessed the demise of their mother, who became a pillar of salt for looking back ([Genesis 19:26](/genesis/19-26 "Lot's Wife Becomes a Pillar of Salt")), they retreat to a cave, believing themselves to be the sole survivors of humanity. The elder daughter, driven by a desperate desire to preserve their family line, proposes a plan to her younger sister to intoxicate their father and lie with him ([Genesis 19:31-32](/genesis/19-31-32 "The Daughters' Desperate Plan")). [Genesis 19:34](/genesis/19-34 "The Elder Daughter Lies with Lot") recounts the elder daughter's success on the first night, setting up verse 35 as a direct parallel, emphasizing the younger daughter's identical action and the methodical, repeated nature of their scheme. This repetition highlights the daughters' unwavering commitment to their grim purpose.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative is set against the backdrop of ancient Near Eastern patriarchal societies where the continuation of the family line was of paramount importance, often seen as a sacred duty and a source of security and identity. Childlessness was considered a great shame or curse. In their perceived post-apocalyptic isolation, Lot's daughters genuinely believed they were the last hope for human progeny, a belief that, while mistaken, drove their desperate actions. The use of wine to incapacitate Lot reflects a common ancient practice of using alcohol to lower inhibitions or render someone unconscious, though here it is employed for a sinister purpose. The cave setting further emphasizes their isolation and the extreme circumstances that led to their moral compromise, far removed from any societal norms or accountability.

* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It starkly illustrates the **depravity of humanity** and the extent to which moral boundaries can be transgressed under extreme duress, even by those who have experienced divine deliverance. The narrative also underscores the **dangers of intoxication**, showing how excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a complete loss of awareness and judgment, facilitating profound sin, as seen in Lot's unwitting participation. Furthermore, it highlights the **consequences of sin**, as these incestuous acts directly lead to the birth of Moab and Ben-Ammi ([Genesis 19:37-38](/genesis/19-37-38 "The Birth of Moab and Ammon")), progenitors of nations that would become long-standing adversaries to Israel. Finally, the unflinching realism of the biblical text in recording such a disturbing event emphasizes the Bible's commitment to revealing human failure and the pervasive need for divine grace and redemption, a theme woven throughout [the book of Genesis](/genesis/1 "The Book of Genesis").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 19:35 provides a chilling account: "And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose." This verse is a direct echo of the events of the previous night, reinforcing the deliberate and systematic nature of the daughters' plan. The phrase "that night also" confirms the continuation of their scheme, highlighting their unwavering commitment to their perceived duty of preserving their lineage. The younger daughter, following her sister's lead, actively initiates the sexual act with her incapacitated father.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** (H1) This term, used literally here, emphasizes the profound violation of a sacred familial relationship. The word 'father' denotes not just a biological parent but a figure of authority, protection, and moral guidance. The daughters' actions represent a complete subversion of this foundational relationship, using the very person who should protect them for their own desperate ends, albeit under the guise of lineage preservation.
* **wine (Hebrew, _yayin'_):** (H3196) This refers to fermented grape juice, known for its intoxicating properties. Its deliberate use by the daughters signifies a premeditated act of incapacitation. The repetition of "drink wine" from the previous night underscores the calculated nature of their plan, highlighting their manipulative strategy to render Lot unconscious and unable to resist or comprehend their actions. The effect of the wine is central to Lot's lack of awareness.
* **perceived (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** (H3045) This crucial verb means "to know," "to discern," or "to be aware." Its emphatic repetition in both [Genesis 19:33](/genesis/19-33 "Lot's Unawareness with the Elder Daughter") and [Genesis 19:35](/genesis/19-35 "Lot's Unawareness with the Younger Daughter") is central to understanding Lot's state. It stresses his complete lack of consciousness or understanding of what transpired due to his extreme intoxication. This detail is pivotal in assessing Lot's culpability, portraying him as a passive victim of his daughters' scheme and his own compromised state, rather than an active, willing participant in the incest.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they made their father drink wine that night also":** This clause reveals the premeditated and repeated nature of the daughters' actions. The plural "they" indicates a shared conspiracy, even though only one daughter acts each night. "Made... drink wine" signifies a deliberate act of incapacitation, not an accidental occurrence. "That night also" explicitly links this event to the previous night's incident, establishing a pattern of calculated manipulation.
* **"and the younger arose, and lay with him":** This phrase directly states the younger daughter's active role in initiating and performing the incestuous act. "Arose" implies a deliberate movement and intention, while "lay with him" is a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse, leaving no ambiguity about the nature of the act.
* **"and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose":** This critical detail emphasizes Lot's complete unconsciousness and lack of awareness. The repetition of "perceived not" (from the previous night) underscores his utter incapacitation due to the wine. This absolves him of conscious participation in the sexual act itself, portraying him as a victim of his daughters' scheme and his own drunkenness, though it does not excuse his moral failure in allowing himself to become so intoxicated.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent, with the entire sequence of the daughters intoxicating Lot and lying with him being repeated from [Genesis 19:34](/genesis/19-34 "The Elder Daughter's Act"). This repetition underscores the methodical and determined nature of the daughters' plan, highlighting their unwavering commitment to their perceived duty. The phrase "he perceived not" is also repeated, emphasizing Lot's complete lack of awareness due to his intoxication, which serves as a crucial element in assessing culpability. There is also a strong sense of **Irony** in the narrative. Lot, who was spared from Sodom's judgment because of his "righteousness" ([2 Peter 2:7-8](/2_peter/2-7-8 "Peter's Description of Lot")), falls into such a profound state of moral degradation. The act of "lying with" is a **euphemism** for sexual intercourse, a common biblical device to refer to sensitive topics without explicit detail. Finally, the narrative serves as **foreshadowing**, as the incestuous acts directly lead to the birth of the Moabites and Ammonites ([Genesis 19:37-38](/genesis/19-37-38 "The Birth of Moab and Ammon")), future adversaries of Israel, illustrating the long-term, negative consequences of sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This dark episode in Lot's life serves as a stark biblical testament to the pervasive nature of human sin and moral compromise, even among those who have experienced divine deliverance. It unflinchingly reveals how desperation, coupled with a profound lack of moral compass and the compromising effects of intoxication, can lead to grievous acts that violate fundamental familial and societal norms. The narrative underscores the biblical truth that sin, even when born from perceived necessity, carries severe consequences, not only for the individuals involved but also for future generations and entire nations, as seen in the subsequent history of the Moabites and Ammonites. It is a sobering reminder of humanity's inherent fallenness and constant need for divine grace and moral guidance.

* [Proverbs 20:1](/proverbs/20-1 "Wine is a Mocker")
* [Leviticus 18:6-7](/leviticus/18-6-7 "Prohibitions Against Incest")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin is Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Lot and his daughters in Genesis 19:35, while challenging, offers profound lessons for contemporary reflection and application. It serves as a powerful cautionary tale against the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, illustrating how intoxication can strip individuals of their judgment, awareness, and moral inhibitions, rendering them vulnerable to grievous sin and exploitation. This narrative also highlights the pervasive reality of human fallibility; even individuals like Lot, described as "righteous" by the New Testament, can succumb to profound moral failure when under extreme duress or when personal weaknesses, such as drunkenness, are indulged. Furthermore, the passage underscores how desperate actions, even those stemming from a perceived noble intention (like preserving a lineage), can lead to morally reprehensible outcomes with far-reaching, negative consequences that extend across generations. It compels us to recognize our constant need for God's grace, His clear moral standards, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to guide our choices, especially in times of crisis or perceived desperation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of "righteousness" and human vulnerability to sin, even in those who have experienced God's deliverance?**
* **What are the contemporary implications of the narrative's warning against intoxication and its potential to compromise moral judgment and facilitate sin?**
* **In what ways might desperation or perceived necessity lead individuals or communities today to compromise their moral principles, and how can we guard against such compromises?**
* **How does the Bible's unflinching portrayal of human sin, even among its central figures, inform our understanding of God's character and His redemptive plan?**

### FAQ

**Why did the daughters resort to such an extreme act?**

Answer: The daughters believed they were the sole survivors of humanity after the destruction of [Sodom and Gomorrah](/genesis/19 "The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah") and had no prospect of finding husbands to continue their family line. In their culture, continuing the family lineage was an absolute imperative, and they saw this desperate, albeit morally reprehensible, act as the only means to ensure progeny and avoid extinction.

**Was Lot culpable for the incest?**

Answer: The text repeatedly emphasizes that Lot "perceived not" when his daughters lay with him, due to his extreme intoxication. This detail significantly mitigates his conscious culpability for the sexual acts themselves, as he was not a willing or aware participant. However, his culpability lies in his excessive drunkenness, which rendered him utterly vulnerable and allowed such grievous acts to occur. The Bible does not condone his state or the daughters' actions, presenting the entire episode as a tragic moral failure.

**What became of the descendants of these acts?**

Answer: From the elder daughter's son, Moab, came the Moabites, and from the younger daughter's son, Ben-Ammi, came the Ammonites ([Genesis 19:37-38](/genesis/19-37-38 "The Birth of Moab and Ammon")). Both of these nations would later become significant and often hostile adversaries to Israel throughout its history, illustrating the long-term, negative consequences that can stem from foundational sins.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 19:35 plunges us into a dark chapter of human depravity and desperation, it implicitly yet powerfully points to the profound necessity of a divine Savior. The moral collapse of Lot and his daughters, leading to the birth of nations that would stand in opposition to God's chosen people, vividly underscores humanity's inherent brokenness, its inability to save itself, and its utter failure to establish a righteous lineage apart from God's intervention. In stark contrast to the moral compromise and sin witnessed in this passage, the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ shines forth, offering the only true path to redemption, restoration, and a lineage rooted in grace, not human desperation. Furthermore, the remarkable inclusion of Ruth, a Moabitess, in the very [genealogy of Jesus](/matthew/1-5 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), alongside other unexpected figures like Rahab ([Matthew 1:5](/matthew/1-5 "Rahab in Jesus' Genealogy")), serves as a profound testament to God's sovereign grace and redemptive power. It demonstrates that even from the most compromised and sinful origins, God can work His purposes, transcend human failure, and ultimately bring forth His plan of salvation, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, who came to redeem all nations and all people, regardless of their past.

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

1 Peter 4:7

¶ But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

1 Corinthians 10:11

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1 Corinthians 10:12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Proverbs 24:16

For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Ecclesiastes 7:26

And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

Psalms 8:4

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Luke 21:34

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.