(Gen. 19:24:) FROM THE LORD. What is written before the verse (in Gen. 19:1): THEN THE TWO ANGELS CAME TO SODOM IN THE EVENING.⁷⁴ Elsewhere (in Gen. 18:2) three came to Abraham, as stated: WHEN HE RAISED HIS EYES, HE LOOKED, AND BEHOLD, THREE PERSONS. But here there are two, as stated (in Gen. 19:1): THEN THE TWO ANGELS CAME. It is simply that the Holy One sent three angels, each one individually to perform his own particular mission. One went to bring good tidings to Sarah, one went to save Lot, and one went to destroy Sodom. An angel does not perform two missions, [nor do two angels perform one mission]. Michael went to bring good tidings to Sarah. "Surely we will return unto you" is not written here (in Gen. 18:14), but I WILL RETURN. He performed his mission and went away. Then the other two went to perform their missions, as stated (in Gen. 19:1): THEN THE TWO ANGELS CAME TO SODOM IN THE EVENING. Elsewhere (in 18:2, 16, 19:5f.) Scripture has called them "persons," but here it has called them "angels." R. Alexandri, however, has said: When angels were near Abraham, they were called humans because angels were common in the house of Abraham.⁷⁵. 32b; cf. BM 86b. Thus it is stated (in Prov. 31:27): SHE OVERSEES THE ACTIVITIES (rt.: HLK) OF HER HOUSE. Since those who went (rt.: HLK) to the house of Abraham were angels and because he was commonly among angels, they appeared to him in human form.⁷⁶ But for Lot, who was ignorant⁷⁷, i.e., “lay person.” about them , they appeared as angels. Thus it is stated (in Gen. 19:1): THEN THE TWO ANGELS CAME TO SODOM….

footnotes: ⁷⁴ See Gen. R. 50:2. ⁷⁵ See Qid ⁷⁶ I.e., angelic visits were as common as household activities in Abraham’s house. ⁷⁷ Gk.: idotes