Judges 19:17 - He lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”
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What does "Judges 19:17" mean?
This verse from Judges 19:17 sets the scene for a key event in a particularly dark chapter of the Book of Judges. Let's break down its meaning:
"He lifted up his eyes...": This indicates a shift in attention. Someone (likely a Levite priest, as context reveals) was likely preoccupied or focused on something else before noticing the traveler.
"...and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city...": A "wayfaring man" is a traveler, someone on a journey. The fact that he's in the "street of the city" suggests he's a stranger in town, not a local.
"...and the old man said, 'Where are you going? Where did you come from?'": The "old man" is a resident of the city (Gibeah). His questions are straightforward: He wants to know the traveler's destination and origin. Importantly, in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, this isn't just idle curiosity. It represents an offer of hospitality. In a time without hotels or travel infrastructure, it was a cultural obligation to offer shelter and provisions to strangers. The fact that the old man asks these questions implies a willingness to provide such hospitality.
Overall Meaning and Significance:
The verse is significant because it establishes a contrast. It highlights the presence of a stranger in need and the potential for kindness in the city. However, the chapter goes on to depict a horrific act of violence and inhospitality, where the people of Gibeah ultimately choose to protect their own and deliver a woman to a brutal fate. The old man's initial act of kindness is a fleeting moment of light in a story that quickly descends into darkness. It emphasizes how far the people of Gibeah have strayed from moral conduct and the expected standards of the time.
Judges 19:17 - He lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”
What does "Judges 19:17" mean?
This verse from Judges 19:17 sets the scene for a key event in a particularly dark chapter of the Book of Judges. Let's break down its meaning:
"He lifted up his eyes...": This indicates a shift in attention. Someone (likely a Levite priest, as context reveals) was likely preoccupied or focused on something else before noticing the traveler.
"...and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city...": A "wayfaring man" is a traveler, someone on a journey. The fact that he's in the "street of the city" suggests he's a stranger in town, not a local.
"...and the old man said, 'Where are you going? Where did you come from?'": The "old man" is a resident of the city (Gibeah). His questions are straightforward: He wants to know the traveler's destination and origin. Importantly, in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, this isn't just idle curiosity. It represents an offer of hospitality. In a time without hotels or travel infrastructure, it was a cultural obligation to offer shelter and provisions to strangers. The fact that the old man asks these questions implies a willingness to provide such hospitality.
Overall Meaning and Significance:
The verse is significant because it establishes a contrast. It highlights the presence of a stranger in need and the potential for kindness in the city. However, the chapter goes on to depict a horrific act of violence and inhospitality, where the people of Gibeah ultimately choose to protect their own and deliver a woman to a brutal fate. The old man's initial act of kindness is a fleeting moment of light in a story that quickly descends into darkness. It emphasizes how far the people of Gibeah have strayed from moral conduct and the expected standards of the time.