Two angels visited Lot, and he welcomed them inside. The men of Sodom, both young and old, surrounded Lot’s house, and insisted that Lot turn the angels (they appeared to be ordinary men) out so that they could “know” them (“know” being a veiled way of saying “have sex”). Instead, Lot offered to send out his two daughters. Lot pleaded with the men of Sodom, “Do to them as you please; only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” (NRSV, Genesis 19:8) Most scholars contend that Lot was concerned about his reputation as a host. When the men of the town threatened Lot, the angels struck the townsmen blind so they couldn’t find the door.