Judges 19 10

Judges 19:10 kjv

But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.

Judges 19:10 nkjv

However, the man was not willing to spend that night; so he rose and departed, and came opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem). With him were the two saddled donkeys; his concubine was also with him.

Judges 19:10 niv

But, unwilling to stay another night, the man left and went toward Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.

Judges 19:10 esv

But the man would not spend the night. He rose up and departed and arrived opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem). He had with him a couple of saddled donkeys, and his concubine was with him.

Judges 19:10 nlt

But this time the man was determined to leave. So he took his two saddled donkeys and his concubine and headed in the direction of Jebus (that is, Jerusalem).

Judges 19 verses

Judges 19 10 Meaning

Judges 19:10 describes a critical moment in the Levite's journey from Bethlehem towards his home in the hill country of Ephraim. Despite the late hour, he refused to lodge in Gibeah of Benjamin for the night, choosing instead to press on toward Jebus (ancient Jerusalem), which was then a foreign, Canaanite stronghold. This decision, seemingly made out of a desire to find a more suitable resting place, positioned him and his traveling party—which included his concubine and donkeys—on the precipice of the horrific events that would unfold that night in Gibeah, a shocking testament to Israel's moral decay.

Judges 19 10 Context

Judges chapter 19 forms one of the most shocking and morally depraved narratives in the entire Bible, set in the turbulent era when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 17:6, 21:25). This period describes the societal and spiritual decline of the Israelites after the conquest of Canaan. Chapter 19 details a Levite, a man dedicated to God's service, and his concubine returning home. They travel late in the day, seeking shelter, initially stopping in Gibeah of Benjamin. Culturally, hospitality was paramount in the ancient Near East, especially towards fellow Israelites and strangers (similar to Abraham's welcome of angels or Lot's welcome in Gen 18-19). The Levite's refusal to stay in Gibeah suggests an intuitive discomfort with the Benjaminite city, but his decision to press on towards a non-Israelite city, Jebus, and his ultimate return to Gibeah out of necessity due to darkness, sets the stage for an unparalleled violation of covenant values, dignity, and basic humanity.

Judges 19 10 Word analysis

• But the man (וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הָאִ֣ישׁ – waý·yo·mer hā·’îš)
  • "The man" refers to the Levite. In a time when Israel was expected to be distinct and set apart by God's laws, this individual, a religious leader, embodies the moral ambiguities of the era. His personal decisions greatly influence the unfolding tragedy.
• was not willing to lodge that night, (לֹֽא־אָבָה֙ לָל֣וּן לַלַּ֔יְלָה – lō-’ā·ḇāh lā·lūn lal·láy·lāh)
  • "not willing" (lō’ ’āḇāh): Strong refusal, an act of choice. This word signifies stubbornness or determination. It suggests the Levite had agency in the situation and rejected an immediate, albeit undesirable, option.
  • "to lodge that night" (lālūn lallāy·lāh): Implies resting or spending the night. This highlights the time element and the increasing vulnerability as night falls, a common biblical motif associating darkness with danger and evil (e.g., Ps 104:20). His choice to continue despite the fading light puts his party at greater risk.
• but rose up and departed (וַיָּ֙קָם֙ וַיֵּ֔לֶךְ – waý·yā·qām way·yê·leḵ)
  • "rose up" (wayyāqām): A common biblical term for initiating an action, indicating resolve or determination to proceed.
  • "departed" (wayyēleḵ): Continued on their journey. This shows active progression despite the fading light and potential dangers.
• and came to opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem); (וַיָּבֹ֖א עַד־נֹ֣כַח יְב֑וּס הִ֖יא יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם – waý·yā·ḇō ’aḏ-nō·ḵaḥ yə·ḇūs hî yə·rū·šā·lim)
  • "Jebus" (Yəḇūs): The ancient, pre-Israelite, Canaanite name for the city that would later become Jerusalem, the City of David (2 Sam 5). At this time, it was still inhabited by Jebusites (Josh 15:63). The narrator’s clarification "that is, Jerusalem" adds an ironic layer; this future holy city was currently outside of Israelite control, occupied by those who were a moral stumbling block to Israel. The Levite, a man of God's covenant, is seeking refuge among Gentiles.
  • "opposite" (nōḵaḥ): Indicates proximity, "in front of" or "facing." They were directly across from it, within sight.
• and there were with him a pair of saddled donkeys, (וְעִמּוֹ֙ צֶֽמֶד־חֲמֹרִ֣ים חֲבֻשִׁ֔ים – wə·‘im·mō tse·meḏ-ḥă·mō·rîm ḥă·ḇu·šîm)
  • "pair of saddled donkeys" (tsemed ḥamoriym ḥaḇušiym): These beasts of burden signify his means of transport and capacity for carrying goods, reflecting his status or purpose. The presence of saddled donkeys also implies preparation for an ongoing journey.
• and his concubine was with him. (וּפִֽילַגְשׁ֖וֹ עִמּֽוֹ – ū·p̄î·laḡ·šōw ‘im·mō)
  • "concubine" (pīleḡeš): In the biblical context, a concubine was a secondary wife, often of lower social status than a primary wife, but still holding certain marital rights and often being part of the master's household. Her presence highlights her dependency and extreme vulnerability, as she would ultimately become the victim of the impending atrocities, treated almost as a possession, like the donkeys. This grouping reinforces the horrific devaluation of human life in that era.
• Word Group: "not willing to lodge that night, but rose up and departed"
  • This phrase signifies a crucial decision. The Levite chooses not to take the most immediate, practical, or safest option (stopping for the night in the last town they passed) but presses on. This decision, seemingly made to find a more comfortable or fitting Israelite welcome, ultimately places him in a precarious and devastating situation, underscoring human short-sightedness and the disastrous consequences of pride or misplaced judgment.
• Word Group: "came to opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem)"
  • This geographic detail is profound. Jebus was a non-Israelite stronghold, unredeemed from Canaanite influence at that time. The fact that an Israelite Levite considers seeking refuge there highlights the deep spiritual and social decay within Israel, so much so that foreign cities might seem more appealing or less dangerous than a fellow Israelite town. The later conquest of this city by David makes its current state of gentile control particularly poignant.
• Word Group: "a pair of saddled donkeys, and his concubine was with him."
  • The enumeration of possessions immediately followed by "and his concubine" underscores the objectification and low social standing of women in this period, particularly a concubine. She is grouped with the donkeys, mere property for the Levite, whose primary concern appears to be his own convenience and seeking better accommodation, not her protection or safety. Her lack of personal agency and immense vulnerability become starkly evident in the narrative that follows.

Judges 19 10 Bonus section

The narrative of Judges 19, beginning with this verse, is often described as "Israel's Sodom," drawing a strong parallel with Genesis 19. Both depict a shocking breach of hospitality, an aggressive demand for sexual violation against strangers, and a complete disregard for righteousness within a community. In this case, it's not a Canaanite city like Sodom, but an Israelite city, Gibeah of Benjamin, which commits these heinous acts. This deliberate parallel serves as a powerful indictment of Israel's condition under the Judges, showing that they had become even worse than the nations God had commanded them to displace. The Levite's failure to adequately protect his concubine, choosing convenience over her safety, and later his shocking response to the crime, contribute to a pervasive sense of moral decay and abdication of responsibility, which resonates with the broader "every man did what was right in his own eyes" theme of Judges.

Judges 19 10 Commentary

Judges 19:10 marks a turning point in one of the most harrowing stories in the Old Testament. The Levite's deliberate decision not to rest in Gibeah, a Benjamite town, due to the advancing darkness and perhaps a perceived lack of suitable hospitality, is deeply ironic, as he ultimately finds himself in an incomparably worse situation there. His choice to aim for Jebus, a non-Israelite city, underscores the complete breakdown of covenant community within Israel; an Israelite leader feels safer among Gentiles than his own kin. This verse portrays the desperate conditions of a people where moral order has collapsed, forcing even those ostensibly devoted to God into desperate choices. The seemingly mundane details of travel and companions set the stage for unimaginable depravity, emphasizing the concubine’s ultimate fate and the utter failure of responsibility from all parties involved.