Judges 19:18 - He said to him, “We are passing from Bethlehem Judah to the farther side of the hill country of Ephraim. I am from there, and I went to Bethlehem Judah. I am going to Yahweh’s house; and there is no one who has taken me into his house.

Generated Verse: Judges 19:18

What does "Judges 19:18" mean?


This verse from Judges 19:18 provides context about a Levite and his concubine who are traveling through Israel. Let's break down what the verse means:

"He said to him...": This refers to the Levite speaking to an old man he encounters in the town square of Gibeah.

"We are passing from Bethlehem Judah to the farther side of the hill country of Ephraim.": The Levite explains his journey. They started in Bethlehem (which is in the territory of Judah) and are heading towards the more distant parts of the hill country of Ephraim, where the Levite lives.

"I am from there...": He clarifies that the hill country of Ephraim is his home.

"and I went to Bethlehem Judah.": He mentions that he had previously traveled to Bethlehem (in Judah), likely to retrieve his concubine, as indicated in the earlier verses of Judges 19.

"I am going to Yahweh’s house...": This is a significant point. He intends to go to a sanctuary dedicated to Yahweh (God). The exact location isn't specified, but it emphasizes his religious identity. He may have been looking for a place of worship for the Sabbath.

"and there is no one who has taken me into his house.": This is the crux of the Levite's complaint and the key to understanding the verse's significance. In a society bound by customs of hospitality, this is a grave statement. The Levite is essentially saying that despite being a traveler, and a Levite at that, no one in Gibeah has offered them shelter or food. This lack of hospitality is a sign of moral decay and foreshadows the horrific events that follow in Judges 19.

In essence, the verse reveals:

The Levite's journey and its starting point.
The Levite's identity as someone who travels between Judah and Ephraim and is associated with the worship of Yahweh.
A critical lack of hospitality in Gibeah, which is a sign of moral breakdown and a violation of ancient Near Eastern customs. This lack of hospitality is a major plot point that sets the stage for the subsequent violence and depravity.

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