Who was Moab in the Bible?

Man living at the time of the Patriarchs

Moab was a man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned in Genesis 19:37. He was the son of Lot and his first daughter, making him the half-brother of Ben-ammi. The name Moab means from father in Hebrew (Strong’s H4124). This name reflects the circumstances of his birth, as he was conceived through an incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughter.

The story of Moab’s birth is found in Genesis 19:30-38. After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his two daughters fled to the mountains. Thinking that they were the only survivors left on earth, the daughters devised a plan to preserve their family line by getting their father drunk and sleeping with him. Both daughters became pregnant, and Moab was born to the elder daughter.

The descendants of Moab, known as the Moabites, became a significant people group in the ancient Near East. They inhabited the region east of the Dead Sea, in what is now modern-day Jordan. The Moabites are often mentioned in the Bible in relation to the Israelites, as they were sometimes allies and sometimes enemies of God’s chosen people.

From a biblical perspective, the story of Moab’s origins serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of sin and the importance of following God’s moral laws. The Bible condemns incest as a violation of God’s design for human relationships (Leviticus 18:6-18). Despite the sinful circumstances of his birth, Moab and his descendants were still part of God’s plan and interacted with the people of Israel throughout their history.

In conclusion, Moab was a man born out of sinful circumstances but played a significant role in biblical history through his descendants, the Moabites. His story serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God’s commands and the need for repentance and redemption.