Judges 19 16

Judges 19:16 kjv

And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites.

Judges 19:16 nkjv

Just then an old man came in from his work in the field at evening, who also was from the mountains of Ephraim; he was staying in Gibeah, whereas the men of the place were Benjamites.

Judges 19:16 niv

That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was living in Gibeah (the inhabitants of the place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the fields.

Judges 19:16 esv

And behold, an old man was coming from his work in the field at evening. The man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he was sojourning in Gibeah. The men of the place were Benjaminites.

Judges 19:16 nlt

That evening an old man came home from his work in the fields. He was from the hill country of Ephraim, but he was living in Gibeah, where the people were from the tribe of Benjamin.

Judges 19 verses

Judges 19 16 Meaning

Judges 19:16 introduces a pivotal figure in the unfolding tragedy: an elderly Ephraimite man diligently returning from his labor in the field as evening approached. This man, although not native to Gibeah, had chosen to reside there as a sojourner. His identity and location are immediately juxtaposed with the revealing fact that the actual inhabitants of the town were Benjaminites, setting the stage for a stark contrast in their forthcoming actions and highlighting the moral decline prevalent within specific tribal groups during this period.

Judges 19 16 Context

Judges chapter 19 describes one of the darkest and most horrifying narratives in the Old Testament, showcasing the profound moral degradation of Israel during the period "when there was no king" (Judg 17:6, 18:1, 21:25). The chapter begins with a Levite and his concubine journeying back from Bethlehem to his home in Ephraim. As night falls, they seek lodging in the Benjaminite city of Gibeah. Verse 16 serves as a crucial transition point in this grim account. Having found no one in the square willing to offer them shelter despite traditional Israelite hospitality customs, this verse introduces the only individual in the city who upholds the sacred duty of hosting travelers. It immediately sets up a sharp contrast between this upright individual and the malevolent character of Gibeah's inhabitants, thereby foreshadowing the horrific events that are about to unfold and emphasizing the severe societal breakdown within Israel. The chapter's events ultimately trigger a brutal inter-tribal war, leading to near annihilation for the tribe of Benjamin.

Judges 19 16 Word analysis

• And behold (וְהִנֵּה - wehinneh): This interjection commands attention, signaling the introduction of a new, significant character or development that will impact the narrative. It emphasizes the unexpected arrival and the importance of the figure about to be described.
• an old man (אִישׁ זָקֵן - ish zaqen): "Zaqen" typically refers to an elder, carrying connotations of wisdom, experience, and authority in ancient Israelite society. His age highlights his potential role as a figure of respect, and his willingness to act contrasts with the youth and recklessness often associated with the perpetrators of the later crimes in Gibeah.
• was coming (בָּא - ba'): Implies an ongoing action, a routine movement, linking the old man to the ordinary flow of life and labor.
• from his work (מִמַּלַאכְתּוֹ - mimmalaʾakhto): Refers to his daily toil or occupation. It presents him as a diligent and responsible individual, committed to productive activity, which further sets him apart from the indolent or perverse men of Gibeah.
• in the field (מִן הַשָּׂדֶה - min hassadeh): Connects him to agriculture and a grounded, traditional way of life, contrasting with the potential urban corruption or depravity. His return from the field also aligns with the time travelers typically seek shelter.
• at evening (בָּעֶרֶב - ba'erev): The twilight hour, a critical time when hospitality becomes essential for travelers' safety and shelter. It also hints at the encroaching darkness, both literal and metaphorical, that characterizes the subsequent events.
• the man (וְהָאִישׁ - weha'ish): A repetition emphasizing this particular individual.
• was also from the hill country of Ephraim (מֵהַר אֶפְרַיִם הוּא - mehar 'Efrayim hu'): This detail is crucial for two reasons: 1) It highlights his status as a non-native to Gibeah, making him an Ephraimite sojourner there. 2) Ephraim was a dominant and often proud tribe in central Israel. His origin signals his Israelite identity but also sets him apart geographically and tribally from the Benjaminites.
• and he was sojourning (וְהוּא־גָּר - wehu-gar): The verb gur denotes temporary residence, living as an alien or foreign resident. This explicitly establishes him as a vulnerable outsider in Gibeah. Biblical law emphasized kindness to sojourners (Exod 22:21; Lev 19:33-34), yet the locals disregard this. His status also ironically mirrors the Levite's plight, making him sympathetic.
• in Gibeah (בַּגִּבְעָה - bagGib'ah): The specific city, identified as a center of great wickedness in this narrative and later referenced prophetically (Hos 9:9).
• but the men of the place (וְאַנְשֵׁי הַמָּקוֹם - we'anshey hammaqom): Clearly distinguishes between the sojourning Ephraimite and the local population. "The men of the place" implies ownership and inherent authority, yet they utterly fail in their moral and social duties.
• were Benjaminites (בִּנְיָמִן - Binyamin): Directly identifies the tribe to which the depraved inhabitants belonged. This is a critical detail, as it foreshadows and explains the tribal conflict that dominates the subsequent chapters (Judges 20-21). It points to a deep corruption within a segment of this particular tribe.

Judges 19 16 Bonus section

• Foreshadowing National Disunity: The distinct tribal identification of the hospitable Ephraimite and the wicked Benjaminites foreshadows the bitter civil war that follows in Judges 20-21, emphasizing the fragmented and morally compromised state of Israel at this time.
• Critique of Urban Corruption: The portrayal of Gibeah as a center of depravity, in contrast to the old man returning from the "field," may suggest a subtle critique of urban centers losing their moral compass compared to the more grounded rural life.
• Divine Revelation in Contrast: This solitary figure upholding a fundamental Mosaic law (hospitality to the sojourner) amidst rampant lawlessness serves as a poignant reminder of God's expectations for His people, even in the darkest periods of human failure.

Judges 19 16 Commentary

Judges 19:16 is a carefully constructed verse that pivots the narrative from a desperate search for lodging to the immediate establishment of a moral polarity. The old Ephraimite, a figure of diligence and customary integrity (returning from honest labor), personifies traditional Israelite hospitality and uprightness. His identity as a sojourner in Gibeah highlights the profound failure of the actual local inhabitants, the Benjaminites, to extend common courtesy and protection to travelers. This verse acts as an immediate literary and moral foil: the one righteous person in the city is an outsider, not a native. This grim setup not only illuminates the utter breakdown of social order and adherence to God's law within Israel (especially concerning sojourners), but also powerfully echoes the Sodom and Gomorrah narrative (Gen 19), where Lot, also a "sojourner," offers hospitality while the depraved citizens attack. The specific naming of the locals as Benjaminites is not incidental; it deliberately points to a specific tribal failure that precipitates national catastrophe, leaving the reader with no doubt about the source of the evil to follow.