It could also express intent to examine the visitors' credentials, or on rare occasions the term implies sexual intercourse. If the latter was the author's intended meaning, it would have been a clear case of attempted gang rape. Horrified at this gross violation of ancient hospitality rules, Lot attempts to protect the visitors by offering his two daughters to the angry crowd, a morally outrageous act by today's standards. The people of Sodom refuse, so the angels render them blind. Lot and his family are then rescued by the angels as the cities are destroyed.
Several observations are important.
First, the judgement on these cities for their wickedness had been announced prior to the alleged homosexual incident. Third, Lot's offer to release his daughters suggests he knew his neighbors to have heterosexual interests. The sins of injustice and idolatry plague every generation. We stand under the same judgement if we create false gods or treat others with injustice. Such abuse of Scripture distorts the Old Testament meaning and denies a New Testament message.