Who was Lot's wife?

This woman, unknown by name, figures in the narrative of Lot regarding his escape from Sodom (see Genesis 19). The angels commanded Lot's wife to flee from the doomed city with her husband and daughters. They warned the little group not to look back. “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed” (verse 17, NKJV). The angels even took her hand to hurry her on her way, because she and Lot lingered, reluctant to leave their home.

Lot's Wife and the Pillar of Salt

Lot’s wife, alone of the four fugitives, disobeyed the angel’s warning and looked back at the destruction of the doomed city. As a result, she “became a pillar of salt” (verse 26). Jesus recalled her disobedience with the warning, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32, NKJV).

This is all that the Bible has to say about this unfortunate woman whose heart remained in Sodom even as her feet were carrying her away. We do not know her name; she is referred to only as “Lot’s wife.”