Hospitality in patriarchy: Rereading Genesis 19:8 through a hermeneutic of suspicion

Abstract

This article uses the hermeneutics of suspicion to critically reassess Genesis 19:8, in which Lot offers his daughters to the mob to protect his guests, an act traditionally interpreted as fulfilling ancient Near Eastern norms of hospitality. By questioning the patriarchal assumptions embedded in the text and its conventional readings, this study reveals how such interpretations often legitimize gender-based violence and marginalize women’s rights. Through a feminist and socio-cultural analytical framework, this article reinterprets Lot’s actions as a reflection of patriarchal power dynamics rather than benevolent hospitality. It proposes an alternative reading that centers on the silenced voices of Lot’s daughters, advocating for a redefined hospitality that is based on ethical and inclusive principles. This analysis enriches the biblical scholarship by highlighting the intersection of gender, power, and hospitality, offering significant implications for contemporary theological and ethical discussions.