Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 19:8

8 Behold now, I have two daughters which 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: for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof .

To wit, carnally. See Gen. 24. 16. Numb. 31. 18. Iudg. 11. 39.

Whatsoever your purpose or pleasure is. See the same phrase Gen. 20. 15. and 41. 37. Numb. 24. 1, &c. A most impudent and sinfulmotion, whereby he yielded to one sin to prevent another contrary to Romans 3. 8. and exposed his daughters chastity which he was obliged to preserve, and which indeed he had no power to expose, especially seeing they were betrothed to other men, ver. 14. But it is some extenuation of his sin that it proceeded from his great charity and kindness to strangers and that he was at this time under a great perturbation and discomposure of mind.

That they might be preserved from such outrages. This was the design of the thing, though not of those persons. See the note on Gen. 18. 5.

(i. e.) Under the protection of my house. Shadow is oft put for protection or defence, as Iudg. 9. 15. Psal. 36. 7. Ier. 48. 45.

Marginal references: See Judg. 19. 24.; See Numb. 31. 17, 18.