Genesis 19:36 (KJV)

What does Genesis 19:36 mean?

Genesis 19:36 states that both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their own father. This verse records the outcome of an earlier event where Lot’s daughters, believing they had no other way to preserve their family line, caused their father to become drunk and slept with him.

The verse is part of a narrative describing the aftermath of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot and his two daughters are living in isolation in a cave after fleeing the ruined cities. The daughters, thinking they are the last people on earth, take drastic action to continue their family, leading to both becoming pregnant by Lot.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 19:36

• "both" (שְׁתֵּי, shtei): This word emphasizes that the outcome applied equally to both daughters, not just one. The text is clear that the actions and consequences involved both sisters.
• "daughters" (בַּת, bat): This word refers specifically to Lot’s own female children, underlining the close family relationship and the gravity of what happened.
• "Lot" (לוֹט, Lot): Naming Lot directly ties the pregnancies to him, making it clear that the father of the children is not an outsider but their own father.
• "child" (הָרָה, harah): This verb means "to conceive" or "to become pregnant." The verse uses it to state plainly that the daughters were now expecting children.
• "father" (אָב, av): The use of this word stresses the familial relationship and the unusual, troubling nature of the event.

Why Genesis 19:36 matters

• This verse clarifies that both daughters, not just one, became pregnant by Lot, which is important for understanding the origins of the Moabites and Ammonites, who are later mentioned as peoples descended from these daughters.
• The verse highlights the desperate and isolated situation of Lot’s family after the destruction of Sodom, explaining why the daughters took such extreme measures.
• By stating the outcome so plainly, the verse sets up the next verses, which name the sons born to each daughter and their significance in the broader story of the region’s peoples.