Lotan is a figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the genealogical records of the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. Lotan is identified as a member of the Horites, an ancient people who inhabited the region of Seir before the Edomites. The Horites are often associated with the cave-dwelling peoples of the region, and their integration into the Edomite lineage is noted in the biblical narrative.

Biblical References:

Lotan is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, where the genealogy of Esau is detailed. In Genesis 36:20-22 , it states: "These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs of the Horites, the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom. The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam. Lotan’s sister was Timna."

This passage highlights Lotan as one of the chiefs of the Horites, indicating a position of leadership and prominence within his community. The mention of his sister, Timna, further connects Lotan to the broader narrative of the Edomites, as Timna is later noted to be a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau's son, and the mother of Amalek (Genesis 36:12).

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Horites, to whom Lotan belonged, were a group that lived in the mountainous region of Seir, which later became known as Edom. The integration of the Horites into the Edomite lineage is significant, as it reflects the complex interrelations between different tribes and peoples in the ancient Near East. The Horites are often depicted as a people who were eventually absorbed by the descendants of Esau, contributing to the formation of the Edomite nation.

Lotan's role as a chief suggests that he held a significant position within the Horite society, possibly overseeing a clan or a group of families. The mention of his sons, Hori and Hemam, indicates the continuation of his lineage and the perpetuation of his family's influence within the region.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the inclusion of Lotan and the Horites in the biblical narrative underscores the theme of God's sovereignty over the nations and His orchestration of history. The genealogies in Genesis serve to trace the lineage of various peoples and highlight the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham regarding the nations that would come from his descendants.

Lotan's connection to the Edomites, through his sister Timna, also illustrates the broader biblical theme of kinship and conflict between the descendants of Esau and Jacob. The Edomites, as descendants of Esau, often found themselves in opposition to the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob, throughout biblical history. This tension is rooted in the familial relationships and the divine promises made to their forefathers.

In summary, Lotan is a notable figure within the genealogical records of Genesis, representing the integration of the Horites into the Edomite lineage and contributing to the complex tapestry of relationships and events that shape the biblical narrative.Lotan

(covering), the eldest son of Seir the Horite. (Genesis 36:20,22,29; 1 Chronicles 1:38,39)

Coverer, one of the sons of Seir, the Horite (Genesis 36:20, 29). LOTAN

lo'-tan (loTan): Son of Seir, a chief (the King James Version "duke") of Edom (Genesis 36:20, 22, 29 1 Chronicles 1:38 f).

3877. Lotan -- a son of Seir
... 3876, 3877. Lotan. 3878 . a son of Seir. Transliteration: Lotan Phonetic
Spelling: (lo-tawn') Short Definition: Lotan. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3877.htm - 6k

Chapter xxxvi
... 20-30. The following are the sons of Seir, the Horite, the inhabitants of the land:
Lotan and Shobal and Zibeon and Anah; and Dishon and Ezer and Dishan. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... The attempt to connect the name Rotanu or Lotanu with that of the Edomite tribe
of Lotan (Genesis 36:20, 22) was first made by P. de Saulcy; it was afterwards ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Lotan (5 Occurrences)
...LOTAN. lo'-tan (loTan): Son of Seir, a chief (the King James Version "duke") of
Edom (Genesis 36:20, 22, 29 1 Chronicles 1:38 f). ...Lotan (5 Occurrences). ...
/l/lotan.htm - 8k

Lotan's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lotan's (2 Occurrences). Genesis 36:22 The children
of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan's sister was Timna. ...
/l/lotan's.htm - 6k

Timna (6 Occurrences)
... But in Genesis 36:22 and 1 Chronicles 1:39 Timna is the sister of Lotan, and in
Genesis 36:40 and 1 Chronicles 1:51 a chief or elan of Edom (see TIMNAH (3 ...
/t/timna.htm - 9k

Homam (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Homam (2 Occurrences). Genesis 36:22 The children of
Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan's sister was Timna. (See NIV). ...
/h/homam.htm - 7k

Shobal (9 Occurrences)
... sho'-bal (shobhal, "overflowing"; Sobal, with variants): (1) An Edomite name mentioned
in connection with Lotan, Zibeon and Anah, as that of a "son" of Seir ...
/s/shobal.htm - 10k

Hori (4 Occurrences)
... Hori (4 Occurrences). Genesis 36:22 The children of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan's
sister was Timna. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/hori.htm - 7k

Zibeon (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land:
Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/z/zibeon.htm - 9k

Zib'eon (7 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Genesis 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants
of the land: Lotan and Shobal and Zibeon and Anah, (See RSV). ...
/z/zib'eon.htm - 8k

Anah (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land:
Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/anah.htm - 13k

Horite (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land:
Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/horite.htm - 9k

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