come in to usבּוֹא
bow · Hebrew Verb
A term used in ancient Near Eastern contexts to describe sexual intercourse, often implying marital or familial intimacy, but here used to describe the illicit act of incest. It signifies a profound, albeit sinful, physical union between individuals.
wineיַיִן
yayin · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, wine is often a symbol of joy and celebration, but it can also represent intoxication and the loss of self-control, leading to sinful actions. It is frequently associated with the weakening of moral judgment and the facilitation of forbidden acts.
lie with himשָׁכַב
shakab · Hebrew Verb
The Hebrew word used here refers to the act of sexual intercourse. Throughout the Old Testament, it is used to describe both lawful marital relations and, as in this context, sexual immorality.
offspringזֶרַע
zera · Hebrew Noun
Refers to children or descendants. In the patriarchal narrative, having offspring is seen as a fulfillment of God's blessing and the means by which a family line and legacy are continued.
did not knowיָדַע
yada · Hebrew Verb
In the context of the Old Testament, 'to know' (yada) often implies an intimate or experiential knowledge, including sexual union. Here, it highlights that the father was in a state of total unawareness due to intoxication, emphasizing his lack of consent or conscious participation.
pregnantהָרוֹת֙
haroth · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
In a biblical context, this refers to the act of conceiving a child, often used to signify the beginning of lineage or the fulfillment of the divine command to be fruitful, though here it occurs under illicit circumstances. It underscores the physical reality of the ancestral origin of these nations.
firstbornבְּכִירָה
bekirah · Hebrew Adjective
A title indicating the eldest daughter in a family. In biblical culture, the firstborn held a position of priority, privilege, and responsibility, making the actions described here particularly significant within the family structure.
Moabמוֹאָב
Moab · Hebrew Proper Noun
Meaning 'from (my) father,' this name serves as an etiological marker identifying the origin of the Moabite people. In Scripture, names often convey the essence or the history of an individual or people group.
Moabitesמוֹאָבִי
Moabi · Hebrew Proper Noun/Adjective
An ethnic group descended from Moab; throughout the Old Testament, they are often characterized by their complex, frequently adversarial relationship with the nation of Israel, representing a people born out of a history of brokenness and exclusion from the covenant line.
Ben-ammiבֶּן־עַמִּי
Ben-ammi · Hebrew Proper Noun
A phrase meaning 'son of my people' or 'son of my kin.' It signifies a connection to one's own house or clan, marking the child as belonging to the lineage of the father in this specific genealogical account.
Ammonitesעַמּוֹן
Ammoni · Hebrew Proper Noun
An ethnic group descended from Ben-ammi. Like the Moabites, the Ammonites are frequently mentioned in the historical narrative of the Bible as a nation neighboring Israel, often sharing a strained history with the descendants of Abraham.