Why Scripture Calls Abraham's Visitors Men but Sodom's Angels

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayera 21:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Elsewhere Scripture calls them "men," but here it calls them "angels." To what may the matter be compared? To a man who received a governorship from the king. All the days that he was traveling on the road, he traveled alone (that is, by himself), and did nothing more. But once he entered to take his seat in his place, his tax collectors and the people of the province began to honor him. So it was with the angels: when they came to overturn the province, before they entered Sodom they were traveling like men; but once they came to Sodom it is written, "And the two angels came" (Genesis 19:1). At the sixth hour they took leave of Abraham, yet they came to Sodom in the evening. Rather, they were angels of mercy, and they were waiting, lest Abraham plead some merit on their behalf, so that the city would not be overturned; therefore they waited until the evening.

Themes

AbrahamDivine Justice

Biblical References

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