בראשית, פרק י״ט, פסוק י״ח

In the dramatic moments of Lot's escape from the destruction of Sodom, his rescuers urge him to flee to the mountains. Lot responds with a short, urgent cry. This response raises a fundamental question about exactly who he is addressing and the nature of his plea.

One approach suggests Lot is speaking directly to the angels who saved him, addressing them with a plural title of respect [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, שד״ל, חזקוני, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This aligns with the narrative noting that he spoke to a plural group. Furthermore, as divine messengers, the angels possess the delegated authority to bring death or grant life, making them fitting recipients of his appeal [רד״ק].

However, a central tradition maintains that Lot is actually calling out to God [רש״י, מנחת שי, מלבי״ם, הכתב והקבלה, תורה תמימה]. Because Lot asks for his life to be spared, he must be addressing God, as the absolute authority over life and death belongs to Him alone. This view naturally requires explaining why the narrative mentions Lot speaking to a plural group. The primary approach among commentators is that Lot divided his speech. He first addressed the angels, and then immediately turned his focus upward to pray directly to God [רש״י, בכור שור, ריב״א, שפתי חכמים]. Another perspective is that he simply directed his prayer to God while standing in the physical presence of the angels, offering his petition for them to hear [ריטב״א, תורה תמימה].

The core meaning of Lot's plea also carries different interpretations. The most widely accepted understanding is that it is a desperate refusal. Lot begs not to be forced to run to the mountain, terrified that the disaster will overtake him on the road before he can reach safety [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור יש״ר]. Conversely, some view his cry not as a refusal, but as a request for goodwill, asking that his prayer be accepted [שמואל הנגיד, משכיל לדוד]. A unique interpretation suggests Lot is actually asking the angels to intervene. In this view, he begs the messengers to pray to God on his behalf, hoping God will show mercy and grant him a safe place of refuge [הכתב והקבלה].