King James Version

What Does Genesis 19:37 Mean?

Genesis 19:37 in the King James Version says “And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.”

Genesis 19:37 · KJV

Context

35

And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

36

Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.

37

And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.

38

And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto ... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַתֵּ֤לֶד1 of 11

“bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

הַבְּכִירָה֙2 of 11

“And the firstborn”

H1067

the eldest daughter

בֵּ֔ן3 of 11

“a son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וַתִּקְרָ֥א4 of 11

“and called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמ֖וֹ5 of 11

“his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

מוֹאָ֖ב6 of 11

“Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

ה֥וּא7 of 11

“the same”

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אֲבִֽי8 of 11

“is the father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

מוֹאָ֖ב9 of 11

“Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

עַד10 of 11
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּֽוֹם׃11 of 11

“unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 19:37 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 19:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 2:92 Kings 3:1-27Judges 3:1-31Ruth 4:10Deuteronomy 23:32 Samuel 8:1-18

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