Incest of the Daughters of Lot

Dear Respected Rabbi, Shalom! We see that nothing is impossible for El- Shaddai God. We read in the Scriptures that the good Lord has closed the womb of women of the household King Abhimelech (Genesis 20:18) and that of pious Hannah (1 Sam 1:5...He would give fruit of the womb to her after some time). Now my question is what prevented the good Lord from closing the wombs of daughters of Lot who were involved in horrific incest with their innocent father resulting in the birth of Ammon and Moab whose descendants were enemies (mostly) of the Blessed Nation of Israel? Or was it Divinely permitted to keep the enemies in the vicinity to teach Israel a lesson whenever it went astray (we see it happening cyclically in the Book of Judges)? Do the revered Jewish commentaries throw light on the subject as to how daughters of Lot were permitted to conceive? Yes, it also needs to acknowledged with a grateful heart that when we are trying to please the good Lord, He would make even our enemies to be friendly with us (Pro 16:7). Thanks for your patient guidance for many years now. Blessings, Suresh Manoharan Hyderabad - India

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

Although this website is intended primarily for Jewish law and not biblical commentary, I will share a few words with you on the Jewish perspective on the story of Lot and his daughter.

It is explained that Lot's daughters were under the impression that the entire world had been destroyed –similar to the destruction in the days of Noah - and that they were the only survivors. They did not realize that it was only the cities of Sodom, and the region, which were destroyed.

They therefore, in a well-meaning move, resorted to incest in order to preserve the humanity.