Why the Men of Sodom Were Struck Blind at Lot's Door

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 19:9

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And they said, 'Stand back'" (Genesis 19:9). When he [Lot] said to them a thing that was pleasing in their eyes, as it is said, "Behold now, I have two daughters" (Genesis 19:8), [and at the moment when he was saying to them words that were not pleasing to them], they said to him, "This one came to sojourn, and he would surely judge" (Genesis 19:9) — immediately they were struck with blindness. "And the men said to Lot, 'Whom else have you here?'" (Genesis 19:12). This teaches that they [the angels] were pleading advocacy the entire night, until they came to that matter.

Themes

Divine JudgmentHospitalityBlindnessAngelic AdvocacySodom

Biblical References

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