Judges 20:4 - The Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered, “I came into Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night.
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What does "Judges 20:4" mean?
This verse from Judges 20:4 is the opening statement of the Levite, the victim's husband, as he explains the horrific events that led to the death of his concubine. Let's break it down:
"The Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered...": This identifies the speaker and immediately establishes the context. He is a Levite (a member of the priestly tribe) and his wife/concubine has been killed. The use of the word "murdered" emphasizes the injustice of the situation. Note that some translations may use the word "concubine," referring to a secondary wife or female companion with fewer legal rights.
"...answered, “I came into Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night.": He is providing a simple explanation for his presence in Gibeah, which is part of the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. He emphasizes that he and his concubine were merely passing through, seeking hospitality and a place to sleep.
In essence, the verse serves to:
1. Introduce the Speaker: Clearly identifies who is speaking and his connection to the crime.
2. Set the Scene: Establishes that the Levite and his concubine were travelers.
3. Imply Innocence: By stating they were only there to spend the night, the Levite is implicitly suggesting they did not provoke or deserve what happened.
4. Begin the Narrative: It's the starting point of the Levite's story, which will unfold to describe the horrific events and ultimately lead to the call for justice and war against the tribe of Benjamin.
This simple statement is crucial because it starts the chain of events that will lead to intertribal war in Israel. The Levite's tale is meant to shock and outrage, highlighting the depravity of the actions in Gibeah and justifying the harsh response that follows.
Judges 20:4 - The Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered, “I came into Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night.
What does "Judges 20:4" mean?
This verse from Judges 20:4 is the opening statement of the Levite, the victim's husband, as he explains the horrific events that led to the death of his concubine. Let's break it down:
"The Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered...": This identifies the speaker and immediately establishes the context. He is a Levite (a member of the priestly tribe) and his wife/concubine has been killed. The use of the word "murdered" emphasizes the injustice of the situation. Note that some translations may use the word "concubine," referring to a secondary wife or female companion with fewer legal rights.
"...answered, “I came into Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night.": He is providing a simple explanation for his presence in Gibeah, which is part of the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. He emphasizes that he and his concubine were merely passing through, seeking hospitality and a place to sleep.
In essence, the verse serves to:
1. Introduce the Speaker: Clearly identifies who is speaking and his connection to the crime.
2. Set the Scene: Establishes that the Levite and his concubine were travelers.
3. Imply Innocence: By stating they were only there to spend the night, the Levite is implicitly suggesting they did not provoke or deserve what happened.
4. Begin the Narrative: It's the starting point of the Levite's story, which will unfold to describe the horrific events and ultimately lead to the call for justice and war against the tribe of Benjamin.
This simple statement is crucial because it starts the chain of events that will lead to intertribal war in Israel. The Levite's tale is meant to shock and outrage, highlighting the depravity of the actions in Gibeah and justifying the harsh response that follows.