Lot (biblical figure)

Lot (biblical figure), in the Old Testament (see Genesis 11-14, 19), son of Haran, who was the brother of Abraham, the progenitor of the Hebrew people. After years of neighborly relations, Lot and Abraham separated and staked out individual grazing lands. Later Lot was captured in a raid on Sodom (see Sodom and Gomorrah) and rescued by Abraham. Subsequently, as a resident of Sodom, he was warned by angels to flee that city in the face of its impending destruction. Although warned not to look back as they fled, “Lot's wife behind him looked back, and she became a pillar of salt,” (Genesis 19:26). Lot is often mentioned in the Qur'an (Koran), in which he is portrayed as a teacher of righteousness.