Judges 19:11 - When they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said to his master, “Please come and let us enter into this city of the Jebusites, and stay in it.”

Generated Verse: Judges 19:11

What does "Judges 19:11" mean?


This verse from Judges 19:11 sets the scene for a morally disastrous event. Let's break it down:

"When they were by Jebus, the day was far spent..." This tells us the traveler and his servant were near the city of Jebus, and it was getting late. Jebus was the original name for Jerusalem, which was inhabited by the Jebusites at this time. Note that the Israelites had not fully conquered this area.

"...and the servant said to his master, 'Please come and let us enter into this city of the Jebusites, and stay in it.'" The servant suggests they spend the night in Jebus.

Significance:

Acknowledging Foreign Territory: The fact that the verse explicitly calls it "the city of the Jebusites" is important. It highlights that this is not an Israelite city under Israelite law and customs. It will become relevant that these laws are not adhered to and will set up the eventual tragedy.
Foreshadowing Danger: The servant's suggestion, although seemingly practical (finding shelter for the night), foreshadows danger. Because it is not an Israelite town, there is no guarantee of hospitality or safety. There is no obligation for the people of the city to protect them.
Setting the Stage for Moral Corruption: The story in Judges 19 is a dark and disturbing one, illustrating the moral decline of Israel during the period of the Judges. The initial decision to spend the night in a non-Israelite city is the first step down a path that leads to horrific violence and injustice. They could have chosen to press on to a more hospitable area, but they decided to settle where they were.
Hospitality (or Lack Thereof): In ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was extremely important. The story unfolds to highlight the complete lack of hospitality and the resulting tragedy stemming from it.

In essence, this verse is more than just a description of travel; it sets the stage for a cautionary tale about the consequences of choosing convenience over morality and the dangers of venturing into morally compromised territory.

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