Bible question, was Lot Abram's brother or nephew?

Question

In Gen 14:12 it says: They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

Then in Gen 14:14 it says: Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive,

So which is it? It's not the case that Abram's nephew Lot was taken, and also someone else who is Abram's brother, none of that was mentioned. Is this an error?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=14&version=50

Answer 1

Ryan L is correct, the Hebrew (and Greek) word commonly translated "brother" can mean any close male relative (and is used in the bible for the English relationship "cousin", for example). Likewise, the word translated "sister". This is a fact of the language, not an example of "now you see it, now you don't".

Likewise, the word translated "son of" was commonly used to mean "descendant of" in the bible, and "father of" "ancestor of". Ancient Hebrew is just not as specific as English in these cases. These are typical cases of translational ambiguity.

Jim, http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com

Answer 2

in accordance to the family tree indexed in Luke 3, there have been 11 generations between Abram (Abraham) and Noe (Noah). i don't be attentive to what the Jehovah Witnesses teach in this. If memory serves properly, they use the hot international translation, which lists a similar 11 generations that are indexed interior the KJV, NAS and NIV. do no longer forget that Noah lived to be 950 years old, 350 years after the flood. Abram grew to become into seventy 5 while he left Haran for Canaan, one hundred twenty while he died. The a while of the intervening patriarchs isn't indexed, yet possible assume great a while, and hence a good number of time to have a good number of young ones, do a good number of vacationing, fill and subdue the entire earth. it particularly is totally mathematically attainable for the Bible to absolutely precise.

Answer 3

Good question. First, Lot was the son of Heran...

Genesis 11:27
This is the genealogy of Terah: Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot.

Lot's father, Heron, died at an early age.
Genesis 11:28
And Haran died before his father Terah in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans.

The Hebrew word ‘ach, which is translated "brother" in Genesis 14:14, 16, can and does refer to more than one's biological brother. The word is translated 332 times as "brethren" in the KJV, which is a generic term used to speak of one's kin, whether immediate or distant. The word might otherwise be translated, "kindred" or "relative". It does not require an immediate relationship.

The NASB has the better translation of Genesis 14:14
When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.

Answer 4

Back in the bible days the term brother could be referring to a relative. Lot was the nephew of Abram.

Even in today's society, at church we refer to each other as brothers and sisters.

Answer 5

A grandson of Terah and son of Abraham’s brother Haran; hence, Abraham’s nephew.—Ge 11:27.

Lot’s father Haran died in Ur of the Chaldees, and Lot therefore went with Terah, Abraham (also called Abram), and Sarai from Ur to the city of Haran, where his grandfather Terah died. (Ge 11:28, 31, 32) Lot then journeyed to Canaan with Abram and Sarai, and he later accompanied them to and from Egypt. (Ge 12:4, 5; 13:1) Because the accumulated possessions of Lot and Abraham had become many, when they returned to Canaan the land was unable to sustain them together. Also, quarreling arose between their herdsmen. (Ge 13:5-7) Abraham, not wishing to see this continue, suggested that they separate, giving his nephew the choice of land. Lot selected a well-watered area, the whole district of Lower Jordan. He moved his camp to the E and eventually pitched tent near Sodom. (Ge 13:8-12)

Answer 6

In the original languages there was no word for uncle or nephew. Everyone was a brother or son or father.

This is the sort of thing that sometimes gives the appearance of error in scripture when in fact there is no error. It becomes a matter of not being able to precisely translate from one language into another. English translations are close..but not exact.

Answer 7

Gen 14:14 is a reference to Abram's brother, and Lot is part of that flesh. Unless, for some reason you take it that Haran begat Lot by his own mother.

Answer 8

Lot was Abram's nephew. They used 'brother' in the Bible to refer to other Christians, as in brothers in Christ!

Answer 9

Nephew... something like an adopted son... but definitely his nephew.

A lot of the times when the Bible says brother its referring to people that are close to them or people of the same nation. Sometimes it literally means brother, but not in Lot and Abraham's case. Like when Moses saw his "brother" being beaten, it meant his fellow Israeli.

Answer 10

Nephew