Genesis Vol 3.pdf - College Press

LOT’S LAST DAYS 19: 1-38
would have been about two days; supposing these visitors
had left their sumptuous meal at Abraham’s tent toward
mid-af ternoon, they must have had superhuman powers
to have made the journey in such a short time. Note
the following suggestions, from Jewish sources (SC, 93),
in which they are treated as angels: “It would surely not
have taken them so long to go from Hebron to Sodom;
but they were merciful angels, and they waited until
Abraham finished his pleading, in the hope they would not
have to destroy the place. , . , Similarly, they came there
immediately after they left Abraham, but did not enter
the city until even, hoping that Abraham’s prayers would
be efficacious.” (The first of these suggestions is from
the medieval commentator Rashi (d. 1lor), the second
from Sforno, who died at Bologna in lrro). (We must
remember that angels are represented in Scripture as having
superhuman knowledge, but not omniscience) ,
“Lot sat iiz the gate of Sodom.’’
The “gate” was
the usual resort of all, and especially of the elders, of
whatever city. There legal issues were adjudicated, trans-
actions completed, bargains made, everyday affairs dis-
cussed. The gate was “the focal point of all communal
activities in an urban center like Sodom.” Lot arose to
meet his visitors, and bowed himself “with his face to
the earth” (the manner in which courtiers and clients
address their superiors in the Amarna letters; in the cor-
responding case of Abraham (1 8 :2) , the term for “face”
is significantly missing, ABG, 13 8 ) .
Lot’s hospitality was, in the main, according to the
usual ritual, but with sigi?ificanf overtones. (1 ) He urged
them to “turn aside,” etc. Having gone out to meet them,
he invited them to come to his house (in contrast to Abra-
ham’s tent, 18:1, 6, 9, lo), suggesting that they turn aside
to get there, that is, take a roundabout way. At the
same time he invited them to “tarry all night” at his house,
adding, “and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early,
33j