Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 19:8

"Behold now, I have two daughters that have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing, forasmuch as they are come under the shadow of my roof." — Genesis 19:8 (ASV)

I have two daughters. —It is clear from Judges 19:24 that this proposal was not viewed in ancient times with the horror which it seems to deserve. Granting with St. Ambrose that it was the substitution of a smaller for a greater sin, and with St. Chrysostom that Lot was bound by the laws of hospitality to do his utmost to protect his guests, yet he was also bound as a father equally to protect his daughters to the utmost: and if people might substitute smaller for greater sins, they would have an excuse for practicing every form of wickedness.

The difficulty arises from the high character attributed to Lot by St. Peter (2 Peter 2:7–8): but Lot was righteous only relatively; and though his soul was daily vexed by what he saw, it was not vexed enough to make him quit such evil surroundings and return to the healthy and virtuous life of the mountains. And, when finally he sought refuge in them, as it was not of his own free will but on compulsion (Genesis 19:30), he found there no peace, but shared, even if unknowingly, in deeds of horrible lust.

The warning of his fall is that those who give up religious privileges for the sake of worldly advantage are in danger of sinking into moral degradation, and of losing, with their faith and hope, not only their self-respect and happiness, but even that earthly profit for the sake of which they sacrificed their religion.

Unto these men. —The form of the pronoun is archaic and occurs again in Genesis 19:25. It is found in a few other places in the Pentateuch, but never elsewhere.

For therefore, etc. —Compare Genesis 18:5.