Judges 19:2 - His concubine played the prostitute against him, and went away from him to her father’s house to Bethlehem Judah, and was there for four months.
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What does "Judges 19:2" mean?
Judges 19:2 describes a marital breakdown between a Levite and his concubine. Let's break down the verse:
"His concubine played the prostitute against him": This is the most difficult and debated part of the verse. The Hebrew phrase can be interpreted in a few ways:
Physical infidelity: The most literal interpretation is that she engaged in sexual activity with other men (prostitution). This is the understanding often portrayed in more direct translations.
Rebellious behavior: The phrase could imply a more general act of rebellion or disrespect towards her husband, rather than necessarily literal prostitution. She might have behaved in a way that shamed him or undermined their relationship.
Leaving him and acting independently: Some scholars suggest that "playing the prostitute" in this context doesn't imply sexual infidelity, but rather emphasizes her independence and rejection of her husband's authority by leaving him and returning to her father's house. The act of leaving, in a patriarchal society, could be seen as similar to taking agency that was not hers to take.
"and went away from him to her father’s house to Bethlehem Judah": She left her husband and returned to her father's home in Bethlehem of Judah. This indicates a serious conflict, as women in that time generally stayed with their husbands unless there was a significant problem.
"and was there for four months": She remained in her father's house for four months, indicating a prolonged period of separation and unresolved conflict. This suggests the rift was significant and not easily resolved.
Contextual Understanding:
It's important to understand the broader context of the Book of Judges. This book describes a period of chaos and moral decline in Israel, where "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The story of the Levite and his concubine illustrates the breakdown of social order, family relationships, and moral values during that time. The overall narrative shows a lack of respect for women, a brutal society, and a need for leadership and a return to God's law.
In summary:
Judges 19:2 describes a marital crisis where a concubine leaves her husband, potentially after an act of infidelity, rebellion, or independence, and returns to her father's house in Bethlehem for four months. The verse highlights the breakdown of family relationships and social order during the period of the Judges. The exact nature of her "prostitution" remains open to interpretation, but it clearly indicates a significant breach of trust and marital discord.
Judges 19:2 - His concubine played the prostitute against him, and went away from him to her father’s house to Bethlehem Judah, and was there for four months.
What does "Judges 19:2" mean?
Judges 19:2 describes a marital breakdown between a Levite and his concubine. Let's break down the verse:
"His concubine played the prostitute against him": This is the most difficult and debated part of the verse. The Hebrew phrase can be interpreted in a few ways:
Physical infidelity: The most literal interpretation is that she engaged in sexual activity with other men (prostitution). This is the understanding often portrayed in more direct translations.
Rebellious behavior: The phrase could imply a more general act of rebellion or disrespect towards her husband, rather than necessarily literal prostitution. She might have behaved in a way that shamed him or undermined their relationship.
Leaving him and acting independently: Some scholars suggest that "playing the prostitute" in this context doesn't imply sexual infidelity, but rather emphasizes her independence and rejection of her husband's authority by leaving him and returning to her father's house. The act of leaving, in a patriarchal society, could be seen as similar to taking agency that was not hers to take.
"and went away from him to her father’s house to Bethlehem Judah": She left her husband and returned to her father's home in Bethlehem of Judah. This indicates a serious conflict, as women in that time generally stayed with their husbands unless there was a significant problem.
"and was there for four months": She remained in her father's house for four months, indicating a prolonged period of separation and unresolved conflict. This suggests the rift was significant and not easily resolved.
Contextual Understanding:
It's important to understand the broader context of the Book of Judges. This book describes a period of chaos and moral decline in Israel, where "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The story of the Levite and his concubine illustrates the breakdown of social order, family relationships, and moral values during that time. The overall narrative shows a lack of respect for women, a brutal society, and a need for leadership and a return to God's law.
In summary:
Judges 19:2 describes a marital crisis where a concubine leaves her husband, potentially after an act of infidelity, rebellion, or independence, and returns to her father's house in Bethlehem for four months. The verse highlights the breakdown of family relationships and social order during the period of the Judges. The exact nature of her "prostitution" remains open to interpretation, but it clearly indicates a significant breach of trust and marital discord.