Genesis 19:8

I have two daughters. Seeing that no words could change their minds, he made an extreme proposal to save his visitors from dishonor. His belief in the solemn duty of hospitality, so highly regarded among Eastern nations, explains, though it does not justify, his decision. He who had taken a stranger under his protection and care was bound to defend him even at the expense of his own life. In some Near Eastern countries the duty of hospitality is still regarded in this light. Only to an Oriental mind, perhaps, would the obligation of a host toward his guests seem to justify, or at least excuse, Lot’s conduct on this occasion. The purity of his two daughters in a city like Sodom is evidence of the great care with which Lot had brought them up, and proves that the offer was not lightly made. The natural concern of Orientals to protect their female relatives was demonstrated upon one occasion by Jacob’s sons (see ch. 34). The fact that such a rash proposal was made at all proves that Lot had exhausted every conceivable means of averting the evil, and was beside himself. He knew full well the wickedness of his fellow citizens (2 Peter 2:7, 8).