Moab is a masculine name used in the English Bible, derived from the Hebrew term meaning "of his father." The name originates from the root ʾav, meaning "father," combined with the preposition min meaning "from" or "of." According to the Old Testament, Moab is the son of Lot by his eldest daughter, as recounted in Genesis 19:30-37. The Bible explains that the name Moab was given to signify that the child was conceived from incestuous relations with his father: "this one is from my father". Moab became the progenitor of the Moabites, a people who inhabited the region east of the Dead Sea, in what is now southern Jordan. Etymology and Historical Context The etymology of Moab is uncertain, but the biblical account provides the earliest recorded explanation. The Koine Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) glosses the name in Genesis 19:37 as ek tou patros mou, meaning "from my father." This reflects the story linking the name to Lot's fatherhood. Modern scholars have debated the etymology, with some suggesting it may derive from a Semitic phrase meaning "water of a father" or "seed of a father." The region and kingdom of Moab are attested in both biblical and archaeological sources. The Mesha Stele, a ninth-century BC stone inscription, records the Moabite King Mesha's victories over the kingdom of Israel, paralleling events in 2 Kings 3. The Moabites worshipped the god Chemosh and had a tense, often hostile relationship with the Israelites from the time of the Exodus through the monarchy period. The capital of Moab was Dibon (modern Dhiban, Jordan). Notable Bearers Moab is primarily a figure from antiquity, and the name has not had widespread use outside of biblical contexts. The most notable bearer is the biblical person Moab himself, who appears in Genesis 19. Additionally, the name is referenced in the Old Testament numerous times in reference to the Moabite nation, including in the Book of Ruth, where Ruth is a Moabite woman"> Notable historical references to Moab include the Mesha Stele king) and the many prophetic texts addressing Moab (e.g., Isaiah 15-16, Jeremiah 48). Cultural Significance The Moabites play a distinct rlelerole in biblical narratives sometimes portraying them negatively (due to their origins and hostility toward Israel) but also more positively in the descendants are Ruth) and Hebrews such as David's grandmother. The modern use of Moab as a name is rare but adheres to its biblical roots through usage English-speaking Christian communities who appreciate its uniqueness and Old Tetament sound, likely appearing