Original Word: לוֹטָן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Lowtan
Pronunciation: lo-tawn'
Phonetic Spelling: (lo-tawn')
KJV: Lotan
NASB: Lotan, Lotan's
Word Origin: [from H3875 (לוֹט - Lot)]

1. covering
2. Lotan, an Idumaean

covering; Lotan, an Idumaean

From lowt; covering; Lotan, an Idumaean:

see HEBREW lowt

Word Origin
from lut
Definition
a son of Seir
NASB Translation
Lotan (5), Lotan's (2).

לוֺטָן proper name, masculine ᵐ5 Λωταν; a son of שֵׂעִיר Genesis 36:20,22 = 1 Chronicles 1:38,39, and father of חֹרִי etc. Genesis 36:22 = 1 Chronicles 1:39; called a chief (אַלוּף) of הַחֹרִי Genesis 36:29.

Name and Identification

Lotan is presented in Scripture as the firstborn son of Seir the Horite and a chief among the Horites who inhabited the land of Seir prior to the settlement of Esau’s descendants (Genesis 36:20).

Occurrences in Scripture

The name appears seven times, confined to two narrative blocks—Genesis 36 and the parallel genealogy in 1 Chronicles 1. Together these passages supply all the biblical data regarding Lotan and his immediate family:
• Genesis 36:20
• Genesis 36:22 (twice)
• Genesis 36:29
• 1 Chronicles 1:38
• 1 Chronicles 1:39 (twice)

Genealogical Context

1. Patriarchal Line: Seir → Lotan.
2. Sibling Chiefs: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, Dishan (Genesis 36:20).
3. Offspring: “The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam. Lotan’s sister was Timna” (Genesis 36:22). Timna later becomes concubine to Eliphaz son of Esau and bears Amalek (Genesis 36:12), forging a blood link between Horite and Edomite lines.

Historical Setting

Lotan lived during the patriarchal era, contemporaneous with Jacob and Esau. The Horites occupied the rugged region of Seir, south‐southeast of the Dead Sea. Genesis 36:31 notes that the Horite chiefs reigned “before any king reigned over the Israelites,” indicating an established socio-political structure prior to the emergence of Israel’s monarchy.

Role among the Horites

Genesis 36:29 lists Lotan first among “the chiefs of the Horites,” suggesting preeminence, whether by seniority or influence. As a chief, he oversaw clans, herds, and trade routes that threaded through Edom’s mountainous terrain. His placement underscores the organized, hereditary governance existing among non-Israelite peoples.

Interrelations with Edom and Israel

Through Timna’s union with Eliphaz, Lotan’s house becomes ancestral to Amalek, a perpetual adversary of Israel (Exodus 17:8-16; 1 Samuel 15). This intersection illustrates how choices within extended families can shape redemptive history, weaving blessing and conflict across generations.

Theological and Ministry Implications

1. Divine Sovereignty in Genealogies: Even brief names such as Lotan’s testify that God orders nations and families (Acts 17:26).
2. Covenant Boundaries and Grace: Though outside the Abrahamic line, Horite chiefs are recorded alongside patriarchal descendants, demonstrating that God’s purposes encompass all peoples.
3. Consequences of Alliances: Timna’s relationship with Eliphaz—and the rise of Amalek—warns against alliances formed apart from covenant priorities.

Key Themes for Preaching and Teaching

• Leadership: Lotan exemplifies early tribal leadership; faithful leadership today similarly shapes the destiny of communities.
• Legacy: Small decisions within families reverberate; believers are stewards of future generations.
• God’s Record: Scripture’s careful preservation of seemingly obscure figures assures believers that no life is invisible to God.

Summary

Lotan, chief son of Seir, stands at the intersection of Horite prominence and Edomite expansion. His brief scriptural footprint anchors critical genealogical links, highlighting God’s meticulous orchestration of history and the enduring impact of family relationships on the unfolding plan of redemption.

לוֹטָ֖ן לוֹטָ֥ן לוֹטָן֙ לוטן lō·w·ṭān loTan lōwṭānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts