Judges 19:10 - But the man wouldn’t stay that night, but he rose up and departed, and toward Jebus (also called Jerusalem). With him were a couple of saddled donkeys. His concubine also was with him.

Generated Verse: Judges 19:10

What does "Judges 19:10" mean?


This verse from Judges 19:10 sets the scene for a series of tragic events. Let's break it down:

"But the man wouldn’t stay that night...": This indicates the man, a Levite, and his party had been offered hospitality for the night in a town populated by Jebusites. He refused to accept it. This decision is important. In ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was a sacred duty, and refusing it could be seen as an insult or a sign of mistrust.

"...but he rose up and departed, and toward Jebus (also called Jerusalem).": Instead of accepting the offer of lodging, he chooses to continue traveling toward Jebus, which the verse clarifies is also called Jerusalem. At this time, Jerusalem was inhabited by Jebusites and not yet under Israelite control. This tells us that the journey is going to take them outside their own territory.

"With him were a couple of saddled donkeys. His concubine also was with him.": This identifies the members of the group. He has two saddled donkeys, which likely held their possessions and provided transportation. Crucially, his concubine is traveling with him. A concubine was a secondary wife, a woman of lower status than a wife. Her presence highlights the complex social dynamics and vulnerabilities of women during this time. The fact that he brings her along emphasizes both his connection to her and her dependence on him for safety.

In summary, this verse is significant because:

It establishes the context of the story: A Levite and his concubine are traveling.
It foreshadows potential danger: Refusing hospitality and heading toward a non-Israelite city (Jebus/Jerusalem) could lead to trouble.
It hints at the vulnerability of the concubine: Her social position as a concubine makes her particularly susceptible to harm.
It emphasizes the Levite's decision-making: His choices in this verse (refusing hospitality, going to Jebus) set the stage for the events that follow and contribute to the narrative's overall message about the moral state of Israel.

The subsequent verses describe the group finding refuge in the town of Gibeah, which is within Israelite territory. What follows is the horrific event that leads to civil war, and this verse shows that the man was not being careful.

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