‘And he said, “My lord, if now I have found favour in your sight, pass not away I beg you from your servant. Let now a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and you can comfort your heart, after that you shall pass on; because you have come to your servant”.'
Abraham addresses one of them, who clearly stands out from the others as their superior, with full Eastern courtesy. In contrast with Sodom his thought is only for the visitors' welfare.
“My lord”. A customary way of greeting. ‘A little water --- a morsel of bread'. What is being offered is understated with true humility. It is a typical Eastern understatement. He intends to give them the best.
“Rest under a tree”. In contrast with Sodom they are quite safe from molestation here. His total concern is for their welfare.
“Wash your feet”. The washing of feet was a recognised luxury for the weary traveller whose feet were dirty and sand ridden, and probably very sweaty even in their sandals.
‘And they said, “So do as you have said”.'
His offer is accepted in the spirit in which it is given. Their assurance here contrasts with the certainty they have in Sodom of mistreatment. But the brief reply, in contrast with Abraham's effusiveness, brings out the supreme authority of the party. They represent themselves as superiors dealing with an inferior.