Moab מוֹאָב
Son of Lot, born from an incestuous relationship.
Who is Moab in the Bible?
Moab was the son of Lot, born from an incestuous relationship between Lot and his eldest daughter after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:37). According to the biblical account, Lot's daughters, believing they were the last survivors with no men available to continue their family line, devised a plan to intoxicate their father and conceive children with him. The eldest daughter gave birth to Moab, whose name reflects the incestuous circumstances of his birth, sounding like the Hebrew phrase meaning "from the father." Moab became the ancestor of the Moabite people, who inhabited the region east of the Dead Sea and played a significant role throughout Old Testament history as both allies and adversaries of Israel. His lineage demonstrates how God's redemptive plan continued even through morally complicated circumstances, as the Moabites became a distinct nation within the biblical narrative.
Biography
Moab, as mentioned in Gen.19.37, was the son of Lot, born as a result of an incestuous relationship between Lot and his eldest daughter. This event occurred after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah when Lot and his two daughters were living in a cave in the mountains.
Lot's daughters, believing that they were the only survivors and that there were no men left to father their children, devised a plan to get their father drunk and sleep with him to preserve their family line. The eldest daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab, which sounds like the Hebrew phrase "from the father," alluding to the child's incestuous origin.
Moab went on to become the ancestor of the Moabite people, who inhabited the region east of the Dead Sea. Throughout the Old Testament, the Moabites are mentioned as one of the neighboring nations of Israel, often in the context of conflict or tension between the two peoples.
The Moabites worshipped a god called Chemosh and were known for their religious practices, which sometimes included child sacrifice. Despite their close relationship to the Israelites through their common ancestor, Lot, the Moabites were often viewed as enemies or rivals of God's chosen people.
The story of Moab's birth serves as an example of the consequences of sin and the importance of trusting in God's plan, even in the face of difficult circumstances. It also highlights the complex relationships between the Israelites and the surrounding nations, which played a significant role in the history and development of God's people.
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In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 19:37
"The older daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab. He is the father of the Moabites of today."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מוֹאָב | mwōʾāb | Moab , an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants |