### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **Lôwṭ**, represented by `{{H3876}}`, identifies Lot, the nephew of Abraham. The name appears 33 times across 30 unique verses. He is a significant figure in the book of Genesis, whose life is interwoven with the travels of Abram and the dramatic judgment upon the cities of the plain.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Lot's story begins with his lineage as the son of Haran, making him Abram's nephew [[Genesis 11:27]]. He accompanied his grandfather Terah, Abram, and Sarai on their journey from Ur toward the land of Canaan ([[Genesis 11:31]], [[Genesis 12:4]]). After their substance grew, strife arose between the herdmen of Abram and the herdmen of Lot [[Genesis 13:7]]. To resolve the conflict, they separated, with **Lôwṭ** choosing the well-watered plain of Jordan and dwelling in the cities near Sodom [[Genesis 13:11-12]]. Later, when two angels came to Sodom, **Lôwṭ** showed them hospitality, protecting them from the men of the city ([[Genesis 19:1]], [[Genesis 19:5]]). He was urgently warned to flee with his family before the LORD destroyed the city [[Genesis 19:14-15]]. The narrative states that God remembered Abraham and sent **Lôwṭ** out of the overthrow [[Genesis 19:29]]. Fearing to stay in Zoar, he lived in a cave with his two daughters [[Genesis 19:30]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several figures and places are central to Lot's narrative:
* `{{H87}}` **ʼAbrâm** (high father): Lot's uncle, with whom he journeyed [[Genesis 12:5]] and later separated from [[Genesis 13:14]]. Abram's righteousness is linked to Lot's deliverance from Sodom [[Genesis 19:29]].
* `{{H5467}}` **Çᵉdôm** (burnt (i.e. volcanic or bituminous) district): The city where Lot chose to dwell [[Genesis 14:12]]. He sat in the gate of Sodom when the angels arrived [[Genesis 19:1]] and was rescued before its destruction [[Genesis 19:29]].
* `{{H4124}}` **Môwʼâb** (from (her (the mother's)) father): Moab was the son of Lot's older daughter [[Genesis 19:36]]. His descendants, the Moabites, are called the "children of Lot" and were given a possession by God [[Deuteronomy 2:9]].
* `{{H5983}}` **ʻAmmôwn** (tribal, i.e. inbred): Ammon was the son of Lot's younger daughter [[Genesis 19:36]]. His descendants, the Ammonites, are also identified as the "children of Lot" who received a possession from God [[Deuteronomy 2:19]].
### Theological Significance
The account of **Lôwṭ** carries significant narrative weight, illustrating several key themes.
* **Choice and Consequence:** When given a choice, Lot lifted up his eyes and chose for himself the entire plain of Jordan because it was well-watered, which led him to pitch his tent toward Sodom [[Genesis 13:10-12]]. This decision placed him and his family in a morally corrupt environment, culminating in their desperate flight and tragic losses.
* **Divine Deliverance:** Lot's rescue from Sodom is an act of divine mercy. The angels hastened him to leave before the city was consumed [[Genesis 19:15]]. Notably, the text states that "God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow" [[Genesis 19:29]], tying Lot's salvation to God's covenant relationship with his uncle.
* **Progenitor of Nations:** After the destruction of Sodom, Lot's two daughters believed they were the only ones left and, through incest, bore sons by their father [[Genesis 19:36]]. These sons became the ancestors of the Moabites and the Ammonites, nations that would later have complex and often adversarial relationships with Israel ([[Deuteronomy 2:9]], [[Deuteronomy 2:19]], [[Psalms 83:8]]).
### Summary
In summary, **Lôwṭ** `{{H3876}}` is more than just a secondary character; he is a foil to Abram and a case study in personal choice. His story, from his journey out of Ur to his separation from Abram and his harrowing escape from Sodom, serves as a pivotal narrative in Genesis. His legacy as the father of the Moabites and Ammonites ensures his story's impact is felt long after his personal account concludes.
TRV