This verse is from the story of the Levite and his concubine in Judges 19, and it describes a scene of feasting and hospitality. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"So they sat down, ate, and drank, both of them together." This establishes a sense of shared meal and camaraderie. The Levite and his concubine are being treated as guests by her father. Eating and drinking together was, and still is in many cultures, a sign of acceptance, fellowship, and goodwill.
"Then the young lady’s father said to the man, “Please be pleased to stay all night, and let your heart be merry.”" This is the father extending an invitation to stay the night and enjoy themselves further.
"Please be pleased to stay all night..." The father is urging the Levite to accept his hospitality. He wants them to remain as his guests for the evening. This emphasizes the importance of hospitality in ancient Near Eastern culture, a moral imperative.
"...and let your heart be merry." This is an encouragement to enjoy themselves, to relax, and to be happy. It suggests that the father is trying to create a welcoming and joyful atmosphere.
Overall Meaning:
The verse paints a picture of warmth and hospitality. The father is going out of his way to make the Levite and his daughter (or concubine) feel welcome and comfortable. He's offering them food, drink, and a place to stay, encouraging them to relax and enjoy themselves.
Importance in the Context of the Story:
It's crucial to remember that this scene of hospitality stands in stark contrast to the horrific events that follow later in the chapter. The genuine kindness of the father highlights the extreme wickedness of the men of Gibeah who ultimately violate and murder the concubine. The initial hospitality makes the subsequent brutality all the more shocking and underscores the moral depravity that had overtaken Israel during the time of the Judges. The story acts as a cautionary tale about the breakdown of societal order and the perversion of values.
This verse is from the story of the Levite and his concubine in Judges 19, and it describes a scene of feasting and hospitality. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"So they sat down, ate, and drank, both of them together." This establishes a sense of shared meal and camaraderie. The Levite and his concubine are being treated as guests by her father. Eating and drinking together was, and still is in many cultures, a sign of acceptance, fellowship, and goodwill.
"Then the young lady’s father said to the man, “Please be pleased to stay all night, and let your heart be merry.”" This is the father extending an invitation to stay the night and enjoy themselves further.
"Please be pleased to stay all night..." The father is urging the Levite to accept his hospitality. He wants them to remain as his guests for the evening. This emphasizes the importance of hospitality in ancient Near Eastern culture, a moral imperative.
"...and let your heart be merry." This is an encouragement to enjoy themselves, to relax, and to be happy. It suggests that the father is trying to create a welcoming and joyful atmosphere.
Overall Meaning:
The verse paints a picture of warmth and hospitality. The father is going out of his way to make the Levite and his daughter (or concubine) feel welcome and comfortable. He's offering them food, drink, and a place to stay, encouraging them to relax and enjoy themselves.
Importance in the Context of the Story:
It's crucial to remember that this scene of hospitality stands in stark contrast to the horrific events that follow later in the chapter. The genuine kindness of the father highlights the extreme wickedness of the men of Gibeah who ultimately violate and murder the concubine. The initial hospitality makes the subsequent brutality all the more shocking and underscores the moral depravity that had overtaken Israel during the time of the Judges. The story acts as a cautionary tale about the breakdown of societal order and the perversion of values.