Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is happening in Genesis 19:31?
A: In Genesis 19:31, Lot's two daughters are speaking to each other after fleeing Sodom. They believe they are the only people left on earth (due to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah) and are concerned about continuing the human race. The older daughter suggests a plan to have children through their father, Lot, since they think no other men are alive.
Q: Why did Lot's daughters think there were no other men left?
A: Lot's daughters mistakenly believed that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah had wiped out all of humanity except for them and their father. Rashi explains that they thought the entire world had been destroyed, similar to the Flood in Noah's time, leaving them with no other options for marriage and procreation.
Q: Is what Lot's daughters did considered acceptable in Judaism?
A: No, the actions of Lot's daughters (as described in the following verses) are not considered acceptable in Jewish law. The Rambam (Maimonides) and other halachic authorities classify such relationships as forbidden. The Torah later explicitly prohibits such unions (Leviticus 18:6-18). The narrative is descriptive, not prescriptive, showing human failings rather than approved behavior.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 19:31?
A: This verse teaches us about the dangers of acting based on incorrect assumptions. The daughters made a drastic decision because they wrongly believed they were the last people on earth. The Midrash highlights how their misconception led to improper actions, teaching us to seek proper guidance and verify facts before making major decisions.
Q: How does this verse connect to Jewish history?
A: According to tradition (as explained in the Talmud and Midrash), the descendants of these daughters became the nations of Moab and Ammon. While these nations later had conflicts with Israel, Ruth the Moabite (a descendant) became the ancestress of King David, showing how Hashem can bring good even from flawed human decisions.
Context of the Verse
This verse (Bereshit 19:31) describes the conversation between Lot's two daughters after their escape from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. They believe they are the only survivors on earth and devise a plan to perpetuate humanity through their father.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Bereshit 19:31) explains that the daughters mistakenly believed the entire world had been destroyed, similar to the generation of the Flood. They thought their father was the last remaining man, and thus took extreme measures to ensure the continuation of humanity. Rashi emphasizes their erroneous assumption, as only the cities of the plain were destroyed, not the entire earth.
Ibn Ezra's Insight
Ibn Ezra notes that the phrase "כְּדֶרֶךְ כָּל־הָאָרֶץ" ("after the manner of all the earth") refers to the normal way of procreation through marriage. The daughters believed no proper marital unions were possible, leading them to their drastic decision.
Midrashic Interpretation
The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 51:8) discusses the daughters' reasoning:
Halachic Perspective
The Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Biah 1:7) cites this incident as the biblical source for the prohibition of relations between father and daughter, even though no explicit prohibition existed before the giving of the Torah at Sinai.
Moral Lessons
Commentators derive several lessons from this episode: