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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Genesis 19:30–38. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. The great trouble and distress that Lot was brought into after his deliverance, Gen 19:30. 1. He was frightened out of Zoar, durst not dwell there; probably because he was conscious to himself that it was a refuge of his own choosing and that herein he had foolishly prescribed to God, and therefore he could not but distrust his safety in it; or because he found it as wicked as Sodom, and therefore concluded it could not long survive it; or perhaps he observed the rise and increase of those waters which after the conflagration, perhaps from Jordan, began to overflow the plain, and which, mixing with the ruins, by degrees made the Dead Sea; in those waters he concluded Zoar must needs perish (though it had escaped the fire) because it stood upon the same flat. Note, Settlements and shelters of our own choosing, and in which we do not follow God, commonly prove uneasy to us. 2. He was forced to betake himself to the mountain, and to take up with a cave for his habitation there. Methinks it was strange that he did not return to Abraham, and put himself under his protection, to whom he had once and again owed his safety: but the truth is there are some good men that are not wise enough to know what is best for themselves. Observe, (1.) He was now glad to go to the mountain, the place which God had appointed for his shelter. Note, It is well if disappointment in our way drive us at last to God's way. (2.) He that, awhile ago, could not find room enough for himself and his stock in the whole land, but must jostle with Abraham, and get as far from him as he could, is now confined to a hole in a hill, where he has scarcely room to turn himself, and there he is solitary and trembling. Note, It is just with God to reduce those to poverty and restraint who have abused their liberty and plenty. See also in Lot what those bring themselves to, at last, that forsake the communion of saints for secular advantages; they will be beaten with their own rod.
II.The great sin that Lot and his daughters were guilty of, when they were in this desolate place. It is a sad story.
1.His daughters laid a very wicked plot to bring him to sin; and theirs was, doubtless, the greater guilt. They contrived, under pretence of cheering up the spirits of their father in his present condition, to make him drunk, and then to lie with him, Gen 19:31, Gen 19:32.
(1.)Some think that their pretence was plausible. Their father had no sons, they had no husbands, nor knew they were to have any of the holy seed, or, if they had children by others, their father's name would not be preserved in them. Some think that they had the Messiah in their eye, who, they hoped, might descend form their father; for he came from Terah's elder son, who separated from the rest of Shem's posterity as well as Abraham, and was now signally delivered out of Sodom. Their mother, and the rest of the family, were gone; they might not marry with the cursed Canaanites; and therefore they supposed that the end they aimed at and the extremity they were brought to, would excuse the irregularity. Thus the learned Monsieur Allix. Note, Good intentions are often abused to patronize bad actions. But,
(2.)Whatever their pretence was, it is certain that their project was very wicked and vile, and an impudent affront to the very light and law of nature. Note,
[1.]The sight of God's most tremendous judgments upon sinners will not of itself, without the grace of God, restrain evil hearts from evil practices: one would wonder how the fire of lust could possibly kindle upon those, who had so lately been the eye-witnesses of Sodom's flames.
[2.]Solitude has its temptations as well as company, and particularly to uncleanness. When Joseph was alone with his mistress he was in danger, Gen 39:11. Relations that dwell together, especially if solitary, have need carefully to watch even against the least evil thought of this kind, lest Satan get an advantage.
2.Lot himself, by his own folly and unwariness, was wretchedly overcome, and suffered himself so far to be imposed upon by his own children as, two nights together, to be drunk, and to commit incest, Gen 19:33, etc. Lord, what is man! What are the best of men, when God leaves them to themselves! See here,
(1.)The peril of security. Lot, who not only kept himself sober and chaste in Sodom, but was a constant mourner for the wickedness of the place and a witness against it, was yet, in the mountain, where he was alone, and as he thought quite out of the way of temptation, shamefully overtaken. Let him therefore that thinks he stands, stands high and stands firm, take heed lest he fall. No mountain, on this side the holy hill above, can set us out of the reach of Satan's fiery darts.
(2.)The peril of drunkenness. It is not only a great sin itself, but it is the inlet of many sins; it may prove the inlet of the worst and mast unnatural sins, which may b a perpetual wound and dishonour. Excellently does Mr. Herbert describe it,
He that is drunken may his mother kill
Big with his sister -
A man may do that without reluctance, when he is drunk, which, when he is sober, he could not think of without horror. (3.) The peril of temptation from our dearest relations and friends, whom we love, and esteem, and expect kindness from. Lot, whose temperance and chastity were impregnable against the batteries of foreign force, was surprised into sin and shame by the base treachery of his own daughters: we must dread a snare wherever we are, and be always upon our guard.
3.In the close we have an account of the birth of the two sons, or grandsons (call them which you will), of Lot, Moab and Ammon, the fathers of two nations, neighbours to Israel, and which we often read of in the Old Testament; both together are called the children of Lot, Psa 83:8. Note, Though prosperous births may attend incestuous conceptions, yet they are so far from justifying them that they rather perpetuate the reproach of them and entail infamy upon posterity; yet the tribe of Judah, of which our Lord sprang, descended from such a birth, and Ruth, a Moabitess, has a name in his genealogy, Mat 1:3, Mat 1:5.
Lastly, Observe that, after this, we never read any more of Lot, nor what became of him: no doubt he repented of his sin, and was pardoned; but from the silence of the scripture concerning him henceforward we may learn that drunkenness, as it makes men forgetful, so it makes them forgotten; and many a name, which otherwise might have been remembered with respect, is buried by it in contempt and oblivion.
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Summary
Genesis 19:38 concludes the morally complex narrative of Lot and his daughters, meticulously detailing the birth of Benammi, the son of Lot's younger daughter, who is identified as the progenitor of the Ammonite people. This verse is pivotal in establishing the foundational lineage of a nation that would maintain a significant, often contentious, relationship with Israel throughout its history, thereby underscoring the enduring consequences of human desperation, moral compromise, and the intricate tapestry of divine sovereignty interwoven with human choices.
Context
Literary Context
This verse immediately follows the account of the elder daughter conceiving Moab by Lot in Genesis 19:37. Together, verses 37 and 38 serve as an etiological explanation for the origins of two prominent nations, Moab and Ammon, who were perennial neighbors and often adversaries of ancient Israel. The preceding narrative details the catastrophic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot's miraculous, albeit reluctant, deliverance. Having lost everything and isolated in a cave, Lot's daughters, fearing the extinction of their family line, resort to a desperate and morally transgressive plan involving incest. This concluding segment of Lot's story provides a stark contrast to the divine covenant being established with Abraham, highlighting the moral decay even among those spared from judgment.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, the preservation of family lineage and the continuation of one's name were paramount cultural imperatives, often seen as a form of immortality. The daughters' fear of having no descendants ("there is not a man on earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth," Genesis 19:31) must be understood within this cultural framework. Their actions, though shocking, reflect a desperate attempt to fulfill this deeply ingrained cultural expectation in a perceived state of absolute isolation. The geographical isolation in a cave further amplifies their sense of urgency and detachment from societal norms. The narrative, written from an Israelite perspective, subtly critiques these origins, laying the groundwork for understanding the later strained relationships between Israel, Moab, and Ammon.
Key Themes
Genesis 19:38 contributes significantly to several key themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the consequences of sin and moral compromise, demonstrating how even those who escape direct divine judgment can still be profoundly shaped by the corrupting influence of their environment, as seen in the daughters' actions born of desperation. The verse also serves as a crucial etiology for the origins of nations, explaining the ancestry of the Ammonites and their kinship with Israel through Lot, Abraham's nephew. This shared, yet problematic, lineage sets the stage for future interactions. Furthermore, the phrase "unto this day" underscores the historical continuity and enduring impact of these founding narratives, emphasizing that the origins of these nations had lasting implications for their identity and their relationship with God's covenant people, Israel, as seen in later interactions throughout the books of Judges and Kings.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Derived from "son" (H1121, bên) and "my people" (H5983, ʻammîy, from ʻam with pronomial suffix), this name literally translates to "son of my people" or "son of my kinsman." It is a poignant and deliberate naming choice that subtly yet powerfully alludes to the incestuous nature of his conception, indicating that his father was a close relative—her own father, Lot. The name itself encapsulates the scandalous origin story, embedding the narrative's moral implications directly into the identity of the nation's progenitor.
This primitive word denotes a progenitor, chief, or source, used here in a literal sense to establish Benammi as the direct ancestor of the Ammonite people. The use of "father" here is crucial for understanding the genealogical link and the subsequent national identity derived from this single individual. It signifies not just biological parentage but the foundational headship of a tribal or national entity, emphasizing the direct line of descent.
Used in the phrase "unto this day," this word signifies a literal period of time, often from sunrise to sunset, but here it denotes a continuous, enduring period extending to the time of the narrative's composition. This phrase is a common biblical idiom used to affirm the historical reality and lasting consequence of an event, indicating that the Ammonites, descended from Benammi, were a distinct and recognized nation known to the original audience, whose origins were directly traced back to this account.
Verse Breakdown
"And the younger, she also bare a son"
This clause directly states the outcome of the younger daughter's plan, mirroring the previous verse regarding her elder sister. It highlights the successful, albeit morally compromised, continuation of Lot's lineage through his younger daughter, emphasizing the parallel nature of the two births.
"and called his name Benammi"
This specifies the name given to the son. The act of naming in ancient cultures was highly significant, often reflecting circumstances of birth, hopes for the child, or a commemoration of an event. As analyzed above, "Benammi" ("son of my people") serves as a linguistic marker of the child's unusual and incestuous origin, a perpetual reminder of the desperate act that brought him into being.
"the same [is] the father of the children of Ammon unto this day"
This concluding phrase provides the etiological explanation, explicitly linking Benammi to the Ammonite nation. The phrase "unto this day" serves as a historical marker, affirming the enduring reality of the Ammonites as a distinct people group known to the biblical audience, whose national identity and relationship with Israel were shaped by this foundational, morally ambiguous origin.
Literary Devices
Genesis 19:38 employs several literary devices to convey its message. Etiology is primary, as the verse explicitly explains the origin of the Ammonite people, providing a foundational narrative for their identity and their later interactions with Israel. The naming convention of "Benammi" itself functions as a powerful device, embedding the scandalous and incestuous nature of his conception directly into the child's and thus the nation's identity. This name serves as a constant, subtle reminder of the problematic origins. The recurring phrase "unto this day" is a common biblical formula that emphasizes the historical continuity and lasting impact of the events described, underscoring that the consequences of Lot's daughters' actions reverberated through generations, shaping the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East. Furthermore, there is an element of foreshadowing, as the morally compromised origins of the Ammonites (and Moabites) subtly prefigure the often hostile and problematic relationship they would have with Israel in later biblical history.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Genesis 19:38, by detailing the origins of the Ammonite nation, contributes to the broader biblical understanding of human depravity and divine sovereignty. The desperate actions of Lot's daughters underscore the pervasive nature of sin, even among those who have witnessed God's judgment and experienced His deliverance. While their motive was to preserve lineage, the means employed were a profound moral transgression, demonstrating how fear and isolation can lead to choices that defy God's created order. Yet, even through such flawed human actions, God's overarching plan for history and the nations unfolds. This verse establishes the Ammonites' kinship with Israel through Lot, Abraham's nephew, but also sets them apart due to their morally compromised origins, which would later inform divine prohibitions and historical conflicts.
Reflection and Application
This stark historical account from Genesis 19:38 offers profound lessons for contemporary readers, highlighting the enduring consequences of moral compromise and the dangers of acting out of desperation rather than faith. The daughters' actions, born of fear for their lineage's survival, resulted in a legacy forever marked by sin and a complicated, often adversarial, relationship with God's chosen people. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that even seemingly isolated choices have far-reaching implications, shaping not only individual lives but also the destinies of generations and nations. It challenges us to consider the ethical implications of our decisions, especially in times of crisis, and to trust in God's providence rather than resorting to self-serving or morally questionable solutions. Ultimately, understanding the morally ambiguous origins of nations like the Ammonites is crucial for comprehending the biblical narrative's unflinching portrayal of human fallenness and the pervasive need for divine grace and redemption in a broken world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the origin of the Ammonites described in such a scandalous way?
The biblical narrative, particularly in Genesis, often provides unflinching accounts of the origins of various peoples, including those related to Israel, even when those origins involve moral failures or scandalous acts. This candid portrayal serves several key purposes. Firstly, it underscores the pervasive nature of sin and human fallenness, demonstrating that even those connected to God's covenant people are not immune to moral compromise. Secondly, it offers an etiological explanation for the later historical animosity and specific divine prohibitions (such as their exclusion from Israel's assembly mentioned in Deuteronomy 23:3) against these nations. Finally, it highlights God's sovereign plan unfolding amidst human imperfection and sin, rather than being contingent on human purity, showcasing His ability to work through flawed circumstances to achieve His purposes.
What is the significance of the name Benammi?
The name Benammi (Hebrew for "son of my people" or "son of my kinsman") is profoundly significant because it acts as a linguistic and symbolic encapsulation of his incestuous conception. It serves as a constant, subtle yet powerful, reminder that his father was a close relative—specifically, Lot, the younger daughter's own father. This naming convention is a deliberate literary device that embeds the scandalous origin directly into the identity of the nation's progenitor, ensuring that the moral implications of the narrative are not overlooked and providing a perpetual linguistic link to the circumstances of the Ammonite people's founding.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While the origins of the Ammonites through Benammi are deeply rooted in human sin, desperation, and moral compromise, this account, like all of Scripture, ultimately points to the greater need for and perfect fulfillment found in Christ. The pervasive nature of sin, evident in the actions of Lot's daughters and the subsequent lineage, underscores humanity's profound inability to secure its future, purity, or redemption through its own flawed means. In stark contrast, Christ enters human history not through sin and compromised lineage, but through divine purity and redemptive purpose, offering a true and lasting lineage of salvation. He is the ultimate "kinsman-redeemer" (Ruth 4:1-12) who perfectly fulfills the need for a "son of our people" who can genuinely save humanity from its brokenness and sin, unlike the flawed and sinful origins of nations born of human imperfection. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus provides the only true escape from the pervasive effects of sin, offering a new spiritual lineage rooted in grace and truth, transcending the tragic origins of nations like Ammon, and fulfilling the deepest human longings for belonging and redemption (Galatians 3:26-29).