Genesis 19:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Upon hearing this and understanding the true nature of the seemingly ordinary men—who were in fact angels and servants of the Almighty—Lot went to speak with his sons-in-law, those who had taken his daughters as their betrothed. When he remarked, "I have two daughters who have not known men," it raises the question of why it is recorded that he spoke to his sons-in-law who took his daughters for themselves. It is important to note that there is no contradiction in what the righteous man conveyed earlier. In ancient customs, engagements often took place long before a couple married, and it was common for the betrothed to reside together in their parents' home, a practice that persists in many cultures today.

Lot's daughters are referred to as virgins, as he previously stated to the Sodomites, "These are my two daughters, which have not known a husband." However, the Scripture also indicates that he had sons-in-law, leading some to believe that those daughters who were married remained in Sodom while the ones who fled with him were still unmarried. Since the Scripture does not clarify this matter, we must consider the Jewish understanding: "Lot went out and spoke to the bridegrooms who intended to take his daughters." Therefore, it follows that the daughters were not yet wed.

The Holy Scripture presents an example of devotion by recounting how Saint Lot received a warning from angels regarding the impending destruction of the region. He attempted to convince his sons-in-law to escape, in order to avoid the appearance of neglecting them, or seeming to care less for the spouses of his daughters. He wished to avert any responsibility for their potential downfall should they, in despair and without guidance, seek inappropriate relations with their inebriated father. Thus, the Scripture defends the righteous man, illustrating that he had indeed betrothed his daughters to their husbands and urged his sons-in-law to flee. However, they perceived his words as jest, disbelieving in the urgency of the situation. Lot persisted in his attempts to persuade them to leave until the angels, displaying unwavering determination, physically took him by the hands and urged him to depart.

Lot was overwhelmed with fear and approached his sons-in-law, who were engaged to his daughters, urging them, "Rise up and flee this place with me, for the Lord God intends to bring destruction upon the city due to the rampant wickedness within it." However, they dismissed Lot’s warning and scoffed at his words, making themselves unworthy of the deliverance awaiting those who would heed the call. Consequently, they perished alongside the ungodly, as those who act without righteousness. Likewise, disregarding the wise counsel offered by the faithful is itself a form of wrongdoing.

The revelation of both judgement and the pathway to salvation was made known in due time, although it did not yield any positive outcome for Lot's relatives, representing the esteemed individuals of Sodom. This was to prevent anyone from mistakenly believing that Sodom could be spared in the same manner as Nineveh. Lot's sons-in-law were likely the men to whom his two daughters, still residing in his household, were pledged. Those who depart from the worldly ways are led away by the Lord’s guiding hand, albeit sometimes in ways that remain less apparent; meanwhile, others may revile those who escape, all the while remaining blind to their own perilous path.