פירוש על בראשית 19:16

ויתמהמה BUT HE LINGERED in order to save his property.

AND THE MEN LAID HOLD UPON HIS HAND. Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra said that the word vayachziku (and they laid hold upon) clearly shows that Lot was afraid and had no strength to flee. The correct interpretation of the word is that it is like the verse, ‘Vatechezak’ (And) the Egyptians (were urgent) upon the people, to send them out of the land in haste.²³⁷Exodus 12:33. Here likewise they were pulling them with strength to send them out in haste.

For Ad-noy had pity. Even though Lot was originally spared in Avraham’s merit, he would have been killed for tarrying if Hashem had not had pity on him.