Judges 19:16 - Behold, an old man came from his work out of the field at evening. Now the man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he lived in Gibeah; but the men of the place were Benjamites.
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What does "Judges 19:16" mean?
This verse from Judges 19:16 sets the scene for the horrifying events that follow. Let's break down its significance:
"Behold, an old man came from his work out of the field at evening." This introduces a key character: an elderly man returning from his labor in the fields. This emphasizes that he is a working man, likely of humble means. The mention of "evening" is important because it signifies the end of the day, and a time when people generally expect to find rest and hospitality.
"Now the man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he lived in Gibeah;" This tells us that the old man is an outsider. He is originally from the tribe of Ephraim, but he resides in Gibeah. This detail is crucial because it highlights his vulnerability. He's not a native of Gibeah, and therefore lacks the protection and social connections that would be afforded to a local resident.
"but the men of the place were Benjamites." This is the most ominous part of the verse. It tells us that the inhabitants of Gibeah belong to the tribe of Benjamin. This sets up a potential conflict and foreshadows the tragic events to come, as the Benjamites of Gibeah prove to be shockingly inhospitable and violent. They will later be exposed as evil and corrupt, and even as they commit these horrible acts, they still felt the need to justify their actions by being inhospitable to the man who was outside of their tribe.
In summary, this verse is significant because it:
Introduces the old man, a key character who will offer hospitality.
Establishes the old man as an outsider in Gibeah, making him vulnerable.
Identifies the inhabitants of Gibeah as Benjamites, foreshadowing the tribe's role in the subsequent horrific crime.
The contrast between the old man's act of kindness (offering hospitality) and the Benjamites' future behavior (inhospitable and violent) is stark and sets the stage for the horrifying events that are about to unfold in the story. This verse creates a sense of foreboding and emphasizes the importance of hospitality in a time of moral decline.
Judges 19:16 - Behold, an old man came from his work out of the field at evening. Now the man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he lived in Gibeah; but the men of the place were Benjamites.
What does "Judges 19:16" mean?
This verse from Judges 19:16 sets the scene for the horrifying events that follow. Let's break down its significance:
"Behold, an old man came from his work out of the field at evening." This introduces a key character: an elderly man returning from his labor in the fields. This emphasizes that he is a working man, likely of humble means. The mention of "evening" is important because it signifies the end of the day, and a time when people generally expect to find rest and hospitality.
"Now the man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he lived in Gibeah;" This tells us that the old man is an outsider. He is originally from the tribe of Ephraim, but he resides in Gibeah. This detail is crucial because it highlights his vulnerability. He's not a native of Gibeah, and therefore lacks the protection and social connections that would be afforded to a local resident.
"but the men of the place were Benjamites." This is the most ominous part of the verse. It tells us that the inhabitants of Gibeah belong to the tribe of Benjamin. This sets up a potential conflict and foreshadows the tragic events to come, as the Benjamites of Gibeah prove to be shockingly inhospitable and violent. They will later be exposed as evil and corrupt, and even as they commit these horrible acts, they still felt the need to justify their actions by being inhospitable to the man who was outside of their tribe.
In summary, this verse is significant because it:
Introduces the old man, a key character who will offer hospitality.
Establishes the old man as an outsider in Gibeah, making him vulnerable.
Identifies the inhabitants of Gibeah as Benjamites, foreshadowing the tribe's role in the subsequent horrific crime.
The contrast between the old man's act of kindness (offering hospitality) and the Benjamites' future behavior (inhospitable and violent) is stark and sets the stage for the horrifying events that are about to unfold in the story. This verse creates a sense of foreboding and emphasizes the importance of hospitality in a time of moral decline.