Genesis 19:38 - The younger also bore a son, and called his name Ben Ammi. He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 19:38" mean?
This verse from Genesis 19:38 is the concluding verse of a disturbing story about Lot and his daughters. It states:
"The younger also bore a son, and called his name Ben-Ammi. He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day."
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"The younger also bore a son...": This refers to Lot's younger daughter who, along with her older sister, had tricked their father into sleeping with them after escaping Sodom. They believed there were no men left in the world to procreate with.
"...and called his name Ben-Ammi.": "Ben-Ammi" in Hebrew means "son of my kinsman" or "son of my people." This name subtly acknowledges the incestuous nature of his conception.
"He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.": This is the key part of the verse and its historical significance. It establishes Ben-Ammi as the progenitor of the Ammonites, an ancient people who inhabited the land east of the Jordan River. The phrase "to this day" suggests that the writer of Genesis (or the source tradition) saw the Ammonites as a contemporary people in their own time.
Therefore, the verse essentially:
1. Records the birth of Ben-Ammi, a child born from incest.
2. Establishes Ben-Ammi as the ancestor of the Ammonites.
3. Provides an origin story, though an unflattering one, for the Ammonite nation.
Important Considerations:
Theological Implications: The story, and this verse in particular, has raised many theological questions. Why is this story included in the Bible? What does it say about God's judgment, mercy, and the origins of nations? Some scholars argue the story serves to explain the often-hostile relationship between Israel and the Ammonites by depicting their origins in a shameful act. It could be seen as a derogatory explanation for their existence.
Moral Issues: The story raises serious moral issues about incest, deception, and the lengths to which the daughters went to ensure survival (as they perceived it).
Historical Accuracy: Whether this story is literally true or a symbolic narrative is a matter of ongoing debate. It's important to remember that the primary purpose of Genesis is not to provide a strictly historical record in the modern sense, but to convey religious and cultural meanings.
Propaganda and National Identity: It's likely that this story serves as a form of ancient propaganda against the Ammonites. Origin stories were crucial for defining a nation's identity and justifying its relationship with other peoples. By depicting the Ammonites' origin in such a scandalous way, the Israelites might have been reinforcing their own sense of superiority and justifying conflicts with their neighbors.
In conclusion, Genesis 19:38 is a brief but significant verse that links the birth of Ben-Ammi, the product of an incestuous act, to the origin of the Ammonite nation. It raises complex questions about morality, national identity, and the interpretation of biblical narratives.
Genesis 19:38 - The younger also bore a son, and called his name Ben Ammi. He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.
What does "Genesis 19:38" mean?
This verse from Genesis 19:38 is the concluding verse of a disturbing story about Lot and his daughters. It states:
"The younger also bore a son, and called his name Ben-Ammi. He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day."
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"The younger also bore a son...": This refers to Lot's younger daughter who, along with her older sister, had tricked their father into sleeping with them after escaping Sodom. They believed there were no men left in the world to procreate with.
"...and called his name Ben-Ammi.": "Ben-Ammi" in Hebrew means "son of my kinsman" or "son of my people." This name subtly acknowledges the incestuous nature of his conception.
"He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.": This is the key part of the verse and its historical significance. It establishes Ben-Ammi as the progenitor of the Ammonites, an ancient people who inhabited the land east of the Jordan River. The phrase "to this day" suggests that the writer of Genesis (or the source tradition) saw the Ammonites as a contemporary people in their own time.
Therefore, the verse essentially:
1. Records the birth of Ben-Ammi, a child born from incest.
2. Establishes Ben-Ammi as the ancestor of the Ammonites.
3. Provides an origin story, though an unflattering one, for the Ammonite nation.
Important Considerations:
Theological Implications: The story, and this verse in particular, has raised many theological questions. Why is this story included in the Bible? What does it say about God's judgment, mercy, and the origins of nations? Some scholars argue the story serves to explain the often-hostile relationship between Israel and the Ammonites by depicting their origins in a shameful act. It could be seen as a derogatory explanation for their existence.
Moral Issues: The story raises serious moral issues about incest, deception, and the lengths to which the daughters went to ensure survival (as they perceived it).
Historical Accuracy: Whether this story is literally true or a symbolic narrative is a matter of ongoing debate. It's important to remember that the primary purpose of Genesis is not to provide a strictly historical record in the modern sense, but to convey religious and cultural meanings.
Propaganda and National Identity: It's likely that this story serves as a form of ancient propaganda against the Ammonites. Origin stories were crucial for defining a nation's identity and justifying its relationship with other peoples. By depicting the Ammonites' origin in such a scandalous way, the Israelites might have been reinforcing their own sense of superiority and justifying conflicts with their neighbors.
In conclusion, Genesis 19:38 is a brief but significant verse that links the birth of Ben-Ammi, the product of an incestuous act, to the origin of the Ammonite nation. It raises complex questions about morality, national identity, and the interpretation of biblical narratives.