Protecting Guests Over Family in the Story of Lot
In the biblical account of Lot in Sodom, Lot prioritizes the safety of his guests over his own family, offering his daughters to the mob outside his house (Genesis 19:8). This act highlights the sacred right of hospitality in ancient Near Eastern culture and is interpreted in various ways by different traditions [2, 6].
When two angels, disguised as men, arrive in Sodom, Lot, sitting at the city gate, urges them to stay in his home, recognizing the dangers they might face in the city [7, 8]. The gate was a common meeting place for social interaction and public business in ancient towns [7]. Lot's insistence on providing shelter demonstrates his understanding of the city's wickedness [5].
Later that evening, the men of Sodom surround Lot's house, demanding that he bring out his guests "that we may know them" (Genesis 19:5). Lot goes out to them, addressing them as "brethren" in an attempt to pacify them, possibly appealing to their shared humanity or their long-standing neighborly relationship [3]. He pleads with them not to act wickedly and then offers his two virgin daughters to the mob instead of his guests [1, 6].
John Calvin notes that Lot's willingness to expose himself to danger and his preference for the safety and honor of his guests, even over his own life, demonstrates a "rare virtue" and a "magnanimity" required of God's children when duty and fidelity are concerned [2]. Calvin also suggests that the Sodomites' aggressive demand for Lot's guests was a way to conceal their own wicked designs, as Lot had a history of hospitality [4].
However, this action is also viewed critically. The Jewish scholar Ramban (Nachmanides) considers Lot's offer of his daughters a "disgrace," arguing that it reveals an "evil heart" and a lack of repugnance for the prostitution of women [6]. This perspective suggests that while Lot made efforts to protect his guests, his willingness to sacrifice his daughters indicates a moral failing [6].
Sources
- Genesis “They said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one fellow came in to live as a foreigner, and he appoints himself a judge. Now will we deal worse with you, than with them!” They pressed hard on the man Lot, and drew near to break the door. -- Genesis 19:9”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 23.10: and exposed himself to danger, how faithfully he observed the sacred right of hospitality. It was truly a rare virtue, that he preferred the safety and honor of the guests whom he had once undertaken to protect, to his own life: yet this degree of magnanimity is required from the children of God, that where duty and fidelity are concerned, they should not spare themselves. And although he was already grievously injured by the besieging of his house; he yet endeavors, by gentle words, to soothe ferocious minds, while he suppliantl”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 19:7: And said, I pray you, brethren,.... Not by family or nation, for the Sodomites were of the race of Ham, in the line of Canaan, and Lot was a descendant of Shem, in the line of Arphaxad; nor by religion, for the one were idolaters, and the other a worshipper of the true God, but by community of nature; and especially he called them so by reason of their having been neighbours considerable time, and on the score of friendship, see Kg1 9:13; and with this soft and loving language Lot hoped to win his neighbours, and to persuade them from pursuing their unlawful measures”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 23.9: the sake of concealing their wicked design, they here imperiously expostulate with the holy man, for having dared to receive unknown persons into his house. Here, however, a question arises; for if the men of Sodom were in the habit of vexing strangers, of all kinds, in this manner, how shall we suppose they had acted towards others? For Lot was not now for the first time beginning to be hospitable; and they, too, had always been addicted to lust. Lot was prepared to expose his own daughters to dishonor, in order to save his guest”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 23.7: act, as if it were safe to sleep on the highway; and thus conceal their knowledge of the abandoned wickedness of the whole people. For if the gates of cities are shut, to prevent the incursions of wild beasts and of enemies; how wrong and absurd it is that they who are within should be exposed to still more grievous dangers? Therefore the angels thus speak, in order to make the wickedness of the people appear the greater. And Lot, in urging the angels to come unto him, for the purpose of protecting them from the common violence of”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Genesis 19:8: LET ME, I PRAY YOU, BRING THEM OUT UNTO YOU. From the praise of this man Lot we have come to his disgrace: he made every effort on behalf of his guests in order to save them because they came under the shadow of his roof, but he is ready to appease the men of the city by abandoning his daughters to prostitution! This bespeaks nothing but an evil heart for it shows that the matter of prostitution of women was not repugnant to him, and that in his opinion he would not be doing such great injustice to his daughters. It is for this reason that our Rabbis have ”
- Genesis (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Genesis 19 (introduction): The messengers (angels) sent by Jehovah to Sodom, arrived there in the evening, when Lot, who was sitting at the gate, pressed them to pass the night in his house. The gate, generally an arched entrance with deep recesses and seats on either side, was a place of meeting in the ancient towns of the East, where the inhabitants assembled either for social intercourse or to transact public business (vid., Gen 34:20; Deu 21:19; Deu 22:15, etc.). The two travellers, however (for such Lot supposed them to be, and only recognised them as angels when they ”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 19:1: These angels, it is likely, were two of the three that had just before been with Abraham, the two created angels that were sent to execute God's purpose concerning Sodom. Observe here, 1. There was but one good man in Sodom, and these heavenly messengers soon found him out. Wherever we are, we should enquire out those of the place that live in the fear of God, and should choose to associate ourselves with them. Mat 10:11, Enquire who is worthy, and there abide. Those of the same country, when they are in a foreign country, love to be together. 2. Lot sufficiently”