The Atrocity at Gibeah and the Levite's Grievance
Judges 19:1-30
Jud.19.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- ומלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אין: PART,neg
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לוי: PROPN,m,sg
- גר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בירכתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פילגש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Judges 17:7 (structural): A Levite and Bethlehem↔Ephraim movement: Judges 17:7 describes a young man from Bethlehem going to the hill country of Ephraim, a structural mirror to the Levite in Ephraim who takes a concubine from Bethlehem in Judg 19:1.
- Judges 17:6 (verbal): Shares the exact refrain 'In those days there was no king in Israel' and the lawlessness motif ('everyone did what was right in his own eyes'), which frames the social context of Judg 19:1.
- Judges 21:25 (verbal): Repeats the same closing summary of the period—'In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes'—serving as a bookend that frames the anarchy illustrated in Judg 19.
- 2 Samuel 13:1-22 (thematic): The rape of Tamar by Amnon parallels Judg 19's themes of sexual violence within a household/community and the catastrophic social and moral consequences that follow when justice and order break down.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass in those days, that there was no king in Israel. And there was a certain Levite who sojourned in the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim; and he took to himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.
- In those days there was no king in Israel. A certain Levite was staying in the remote part of the hill country of Ephraim, and he took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.
Jud.19.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותזנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- פילגשו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- ותלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מאתו: PREP
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביה: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- שם: ADV
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ארבעה: NUM,card,m,sg
- חדשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 19:1-11 (structural): The attempted sexual violation of a guest and the breakdown of hospitality in Sodom functions as a structural and thematic parallel to Judges 19 (the journey to Gibeah and the demand to rape the male visitor), with Judges 19 echoing the Sodom narrative's motifs of communal violence and moral collapse.
- Genesis 34 (thematic): The rape of Dinah by Shechem and the ensuing family retaliation parallels Judges 19 in themes of sexual violence against a woman belonging to an Israelite household and the social and violent consequences that follow.
- 2 Samuel 13:1-22 (thematic): The assault of Tamar by Amnon and Tamar's resultant desolation and family crisis echo Judges 19's focus on sexual violence within Israelite society and the destructive ripple effects upon kinship and communal order.
- Hosea 1–3 (esp. Hosea 3:1-3) (allusion): The motif of an unfaithful woman (Gomer) who leaves and the husband's response to her infidelity resonates with Judges 19:2's description of the concubine 'playing the whore' and departing to her father's house, linking themes of marital/sexual unfaithfulness and retrieval or attempted reconciliation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the concubine played the harlot against him, and went away from him to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah; and she was there four months.
- But she became unfaithful to him and went away from him to her father’s house at Bethlehem in Judah, and she remained there for four days.
Jud.19.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אישה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחריה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- לדבר: INF,qal
- על: PREP
- לבה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+PRON,3,f,sg
- להשיבה: VERB,hif,inf,3,f,sg
- ונערו: NOUN,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- וצמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חמרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותביאהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביה: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ויראהו: VERB,hif,impf-cc,3,m,sg
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישמח: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לקראתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m
Parallels
- Hosea 3:1-2 (thematic): Both depict a husband being sent/going to retrieve a wayward wife and bring her back — a motif of restoration and reclaiming a woman to the marriage household.
- 1 Samuel 25:18-35 (verbal): Abigail goes out to meet David and speaks to his heart to avert disaster; parallels the motif of a man/woman going to plead and persuade by speaking to the other's heart.
- Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (structural): Legal material concerning a wife sent away and questions about her return to a husband — provides a legal/structural background to narratives where a woman leaves and is brought back or transferred between households.
- Luke 15:20 (thematic): The image of a father seeing and joyfully running to meet a returning family member parallels the brief note here that the girl's father saw her and rejoiced to meet her (motif of glad reception on return).
Alternative generated candidates
- Then her husband arose and went after her to speak kindly to her and to bring her back; his young man went with him, and two donkeys. So they brought her to her father's house; and when the girl's father saw him, he was glad to meet him.
- Then her husband rose up and went after her to speak tenderly to her and to bring her back. He had with him his servant and two saddled donkeys. She brought him into her father’s house, and when the girl's father saw him, he was glad to meet him.
Jud.19.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחזק: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- חתנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+poss:3m
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- שלשת: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וישתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וילינו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- Genesis 19:3 (verbal): Lot receives strangers, prepares food and they eat and lodge — language and actions (hosting travelers, eating/drinking, lodging) closely parallel the hospitality scene in Judg 19:4.
- Genesis 18:1-8 (thematic): Abraham’s prompt hospitality to unexpected visitors (running to meet them, providing food and rest) reflects the cultural expectation and narrative motif of welcoming guests found in Judges 19:4.
- 2 Kings 4:8-10 (structural): The Shunammite woman provides a furnished room and hospitality for the prophet Elisha — a structurally similar episode of accommodating an itinerant/holy guest with food and lodging.
- Matthew 25:35 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching that welcoming strangers (feeding and lodging the needy) is a righteous duty echoes the moral and social importance of hospitality exhibited in Judges 19:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the girl's father, the woman's father, held him, and he remained with him three days. They ate and drank, and lodged there.
- Her father-in-law, the girl's father, urged him, and he stayed with him three days; they ate and drank and spent the night there.
Jud.19.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- הרביעי: ADJ,ord,m,sg,def
- וישכימו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- בבקר: PREP
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- חתנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+poss:3m
- סעד: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- לבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+poss:2m
- פת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואחר: CONJ
- תלכו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Gen.24.55 (structural): Family urges a bride/guest to tarry for several days after the wedding ('abide with us a few days... afterward she shall go'), paralleling the father’s request that the Levite eat and delay his departure.
- Gen.19.2–3 (thematic): Lot invites unexpected guests to stay and eat ('Turn in, I pray you; tarry all night, and wash your feet'), echoing the hospitable summons and meal-before-departure motif.
- Gen.18.6–8 (thematic): Abraham hastens to prepare bread and a meal for visitors and urges them to eat and rest—another instance of ritual hospitality and hosting before departure.
- 1 Kgs.19.7 (verbal): The angel tells Elijah 'Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee,' closely matching the instruction to eat/strengthen oneself before setting out on a journey.
Alternative generated candidates
- And on the fourth day they arose early in the morning, and the man was ready to depart; but the girl's father said to his son-in-law, "Refresh your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward you shall go."
- On the fourth day they rose up early in the morning to depart, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law, 'Refresh your heart; spend the day, and behold, eat some bread, and afterward go your way.'
Jud.19.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שניהם: PRON,3,m,pl
- יחדו: ADV
- וישתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הואל: DEM,m,sg
- נא: PART
- ולין: VERB,qal,juss,1,pl
- ויטב: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- לבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2s
Parallels
- Genesis 19:3 (verbal): Lot urges the visitors to 'turn in, and tarry all night' and prepares a meal for them — a close verbal and structural parallel to the father's invitation to the traveling man to stay and be merry.
- Genesis 18:4 (thematic): Abraham's offer to his unexpected guests ('Let a little water, wash your feet, and rest yourselves') exemplifies the Near Eastern hospitality motif that underlies the father's invitation in Judges 19:6.
- Luke 10:38-42 (thematic): Martha's reception of Jesus as a guest and the household's hospitality reflect the wider gospel theme of receiving travelers and visitors, echoing the social expectations shown in Judges 19:6.
- Hebrews 13:2 (thematic): The exhortation not to forget hospitality ('for thereby some have entertained angels unawares') invokes the same moral/religious importance of offering lodging and refreshment to strangers that motivates the father's plea in Judges 19:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they sat down and ate both of them together. And the girl's father said to the man, "Please be willing to lodge all night, and let your heart be merry."
- So they sat and ate both of them together; and the girl's father said to the man, 'Be willing to stay all night; let your heart be merry.'
Jud.19.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- ויפצר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- חתנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+pronsuf,3,m
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וילן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- Genesis 18:3-5 (thematic): Abraham meets unexpected visitors and urgently invites them to stay, wash, and eat—parallel hospitality motif and the host/guest dynamic of pressing someone to remain.
- Genesis 19:2-3 (structural): Lot urges the angelic visitors to enter his house and lodge with him; similar sequence of a traveler about to depart who is persuaded to stay and be hosted.
- Ruth 2:14 (thematic): Boaz urges Ruth to sit and eat with his reapers, an instance of a host encouraging a weary or vulnerable outsider to accept lodging/food—echoes the social hospitality theme.
- 1 Samuel 25:18-22 (thematic): Abigail hastens to meet David and intercedes, providing food and persuading him toward a course of action; parallels the interpersonal urging and the role of hospitality/appeasement in altering plans.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the man rose up to depart; and his father-in-law pressed him, and he lodged there again.
- But the man rose up to depart, and his father-in-law urged him; so he lodged there again.
Jud.19.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכם: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בבקר: PREP
- ביום: PREP
- החמישי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- סעד: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- והתמהמהו: VERB,hitpael,juss,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- נטות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שניהם: PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 18:2-5 (thematic): Abraham meets unexpected guests, urges them to rest and eat, and delays their departure—an earlier example of hospitality and inviting guests to 'tarry' and be fed.
- Genesis 19:2 (thematic): Lot urges the angelic visitors to stay and provides a meal; like Judges 19:8 this passage frames hospitality (and staying to eat) as a pivotal social act.
- 1 Samuel 25:18-19 (thematic): Abigail brings provisions to David to placate him and delay his action; parallels the use of food and delay/tarrying as a means to influence events and relationships.
- Luke 10:38-42 (thematic): Martha welcomes Jesus into her home and prepares a meal—another scene where hospitality, eating, and the timing of departure/attention become the setting for consequential interaction.
- Acts 16:15 (thematic): Lydia invites Paul and his companions to 'remain' in her house after hospitality is shown; parallels the motif of inviting guests to stay and be hosted, with social and missionary implications.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he rose up early on the fifth day to depart; and the girl's father said, "Refresh your heart; tarry until the day be half spent." So they ate both of them.
- On the fifth day he rose up to depart, and the girl's father said, 'Refresh your heart; stay until the day declines.' So they ate together.
Jud.19.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ופילגשו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,pr3ms
- ונערו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3m
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- חתנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3m
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הנה: PART
- נא: PART
- רפה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לערב: VERB,qal,inf
- לינו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- נא: PART
- הנה: PART
- חנות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לין: VERB,qal,inf
- פה: ADV
- וייטב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- והשכמתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- מחר: ADV
- לדרככם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,2mp
- והלכת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לאהלך: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Genesis 19:2 (verbal): Lot urges the travelers to 'stay' and accept hospitality for the night—parallel invitation to lodge (לינו/לינו נא) and the motif of hosting strangers overnight.
- Genesis 18:4 (thematic): Abraham offers water, rest, and bread to unexpected visitors—reflects the cultural obligation of hospitality and inviting guests to stay and refresh themselves.
- Genesis 24:32 (structural): Laban/Bethuel receive Abraham’s servant, insist he eat and stay while matters are discussed—similar narrative pattern of a host pressing a traveler to remain overnight and be entertained.
- 1 Samuel 25:5–8 (thematic): David’s men request provisions and expect hospitality; the episode (and Abigail’s later intervention) highlights social expectations and tensions around entertaining travelers and supplying guests.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when the man rose up to depart, he and his concubine and his servant, his father-in-law, the girl's father, said to him, "Behold, now the day draws toward evening; lodge here and tarry all night, and let your heart be merry; tomorrow you may rise early and go home."
- When the man rose to depart — he and his concubine and his servant — the girl's father said to his son-in-law, 'See, now the day is declining toward evening; lodge here and let your heart be merry; tomorrow go early, and go your way.'
Jud.19.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- אבה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ללון: VERB,qal,inf
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- נכח: PREP
- יבוס: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- ירושלם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועמו: PREP+3,m,sg
- צמד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חמורים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חבושים: ADJ,m,pl
- ופילגשו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,pr3ms
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.19.1 (structural): Opening of the same narrative: introduces the Levite and his concubine, providing the immediate context for the travel and lodging decisions in v.10.
- Judg.19.11-15 (structural): Immediate continuation of the episode: describes the arrival at Gibeah after passing Jebus/Jerusalem and the seeking of lodging that follows v.10.
- Gen.19.4-9 (thematic): The Sodom narrative: men of the city demand the visitors to be handed over for sexual violence—a clear thematic parallel and literary antecedent to the breach of hospitality and sexual assault that unfolds in Judges 19.
- Gen.19.15-17 (thematic): Lot’s nocturnal departure and seeking refuge: parallels the motif of rising at night and traveling to another city for safety or lodging, as in the Levite’s movement in v.10.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the man would not tarry that night, but rose up and departed, and came to the place where he had come, even to Jebus — now the same is Jerusalem — and there were with him saddled asses and the concubine.
- But the man would not stay that night; he rose up and departed and came to the place that is near Jebus — that is, Jerusalem. He had with him the two saddled donkeys and his concubine.
Jud.19.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- יבוס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והיום: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- רד: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- אדניו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+POSS,3,m,sg
- לכה: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- נא: PART
- ונסורה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- אל: NEG
- עיר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היבוסי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- ונלין: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 19:2 (verbal): Both passages use very similar language of travelers asking to 'turn in' to a city and lodge for the night—shared hospitality/turning-aside formula (cf. 'turn in… and tarry all night').
- Genesis 19:4–5 (thematic): The mob outside Lot’s house demanding the visitors to be brought out for sexual violence parallels the later assault by the men of Gibeah in Judges 19—strong thematic and narrative echo (hospitality followed by communal sexual violence).
- Judges 19:12–15 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: after attempting to lodge in Jebus (v.11) the travelers fail to find a host and proceed to Gibeah—these verses explain the direct sequence and motives that follow v.11.
- 2 Samuel 5:6–9 (allusion): Identifies the city called Jebus (Jerusalem) and its status as a Jebusite stronghold; provides historical/structural background for the phrase 'this Jebusite city' in Judges 19:11 and later Israelite dealings with Jebus/ Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when they were near to Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside into this Jebusite city, and lodge in it."
- When they were near Jebus, the day was far spent, the young man said to his master, 'Come, let us turn aside into this Jebusite city and spend the night in it.'
Jud.19.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אדניו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+POSS,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- נסור: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- אל: NEG
- עיר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נכרי: ADJ,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- מבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
- ועברנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- עד: PREP
- גבעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 19:13 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same itinerary decision—repeats the refusal to stay in a non‑Israelite town and the intent to go on to Gibeah (same verbal motive and destination).
- Judges 19:16 (thematic): The party’s arrival in Gibeah and the ensuing failure of hospitality and violence are the direct outcome of the decision in 19:12; thematically links the choice of destination to the crisis that follows.
- Judges 20:1–48 (structural): The national assembly and war against the tribe of Benjamin are the structural and narrative consequences of the crime that occurs in Gibeah after the travelers decide to go there; shows how the local decision triggers nationwide conflict.
- Judges 21:25 (thematic): Summarizes the period—'there was no king... everyone did what was right in his own eyes'—provides thematic context for the refusal to enter foreign towns and the lawlessness exemplified by the Gibeah episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- But his master said to him, "We will not turn aside into a foreign city, which is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah."
- But his master said to him, 'We will not turn aside to a foreign city that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass on to Gibeah.'
Jud.19.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לנערו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suff,3,m
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ונקרבה: VERB,qal,cohort,1,pl
- באחד: PREP
- המקמות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ולנו: CONJ+PREP+PRON,1,pl
- בגבעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- או: CONJ
- ברמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 19:2-11 (thematic): Both scenes involve strangers seeking lodging, the host offering to shelter them, and the men of the city surrounding the house and attempting sexual violence—close thematic and narrative parallel to the Gibeah episode.
- Genesis 18:2-8 (thematic): Abraham’s eager hospitality toward unexpected visitors (inviting them to wash, rest, and eat) provides a positive contrast and thematic foil to the precarious lodging and lack of safe hospitality in Judges 19.
- Leviticus 19:33-34 (thematic): The legal/ethical injunctions to treat the alien/sojourner kindly and not mistreat strangers stand in moral contrast to the mistreatment and failure of hospitality depicted in Judges 19:13–22.
- Judges 19:22 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel/continuation: the men of Gibeah assault the visitors in the house—this verse shows the direct outcome of turning aside into the town and spending the night there.
- Judges 20:1-11 (structural): The national assembly and demand for justice over the crime in Gibeah respond directly to the events that begin with the decision to lodge in the town; these verses show the communal/legal fallout of the failed hospitality.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he spoke to his young man, and they turned aside there to go in and lodge in Gibeah or in Ramah.
- He said to his servant, 'Come, let us draw near to one of these places and spend the night in Gibeah or in Ramah.'
Jud.19.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעברו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ותבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אצל: PREP
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לבנימן: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 19:1 (structural): Narrative parallel: travelers arrive at a town at evening (Sodom)—the Judges account deliberately mirrors the ‘coming to Sodom in the evening’ motif that sets up the episode of failed hospitality and violence.
- Genesis 19:4–5 (verbal): Verbal/scene parallel: the townsmen demand the visitors be brought out to them for sexual assault; Judges 19 repeats the same pattern of men of the city surrounding the house and seeking to abuse guests.
- Judges 19:22 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same episode: the escalation from arriving at Gibeah at sunset (v.14) to the mob surrounding the house and assaulting the Levite’s concubine (v.22) — shows the structural sequence of arrival → night → violence.
- 2 Samuel 13:1–14 (thematic): Thematic parallel: betrayal and sexual violence within Israelite society (Amnon’s rape of Tamar) — both narratives involve household-based sexual violence that fractures family/tribal life and provokes wider social consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they went on and came to Gibeah; and the sun went down on them near Gibeah which is of Benjamin.
- So they passed on and went, and the sun went down on them near Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin.
Jud.19.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- ללון: VERB,qal,inf
- בגבעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ברחוב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאסף: VERB,piel,ptcp,3,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- הביתה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ללון: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Genesis 19:2 (verbal): Both passages describe a male figure 'sitting in the street/gate of the city' awaiting lodging; Judges emphasizes refusal of hospitality in Gibeah, while Genesis 19:2 has Lot bringing guests into his house after meeting them at the gate.
- Genesis 18:1-8 (thematic): Abraham's prompt and generous reception of strangers (offering water, rest, a meal, and a place to wash feet) contrasts with the initial refusal of lodging in Judges 19 and highlights hospitality as a central social expectation.
- 2 Kings 4:8-10 (thematic): The Shunammite woman prepares a guest room and invites the prophet to stay — a positive instance of providing lodging to a traveler/holy man that contrasts with the unwillingness of the Gibeah townspeople to take the travelers into their homes.
- Luke 10:30-37 (Good Samaritan) (thematic): The parable stresses the moral obligation to aid strangers and travelers in need; Judges 19:15's depiction of townspeople who refuse to house visitors can be read against this ethical expectation of hospitality and neighborly care.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they turned aside there to go in to lodge in Gibeah; and when they went in to the street, no man took them into his house to spend the night.
- They turned aside there to go in and to spend the night in Gibeah; and they sat down in the open square of the city. No man took them into his house to spend the night.
Jud.19.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זקן: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- מעשהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- מן: PREP
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בערב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והאיש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- גר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בגבעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואנשי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ימיני: ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 19:1-11 (allusion): Night arrival of guests in a city and the men of the town seeking to abuse the visitors — Judges 19 is often read as a deliberate echo/allusion to the Sodom episode, highlighting communal violence and hospitality’s failure.
- Genesis 18:1-8 (thematic): A contrasting hospitality scene: Abraham greets and shelters strangers at his tent in the evening and provides food — sets up the hospitality/hostility spectrum that Judges 19 subverts.
- Judges 19:22-25 (structural): Immediate structural continuation of the same episode: the men of Gibeah surround the house and assault the Levite’s concubine; these verses show the outcome of the hostile reception introduced in 19:16.
- 2 Samuel 13:1-22 (thematic): Rape within the same kin-group/tribal context (Amnon and Tamar) — thematically related through intra-community sexual violence and the social breakdown that follows.
Alternative generated candidates
- And behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even; now the man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he sojourned in Gibeah — the men of the place were Benjamites.
- And behold, an old man came in from his work in the field at evening. Now the man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he was staying in Gibeah; the men of the place were Benjamites.
Jud.19.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עיניו: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הארח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ברחב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזקן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אנה: ADV,interrog
- תלך: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ומאין: CONJ+ADV
- תבוא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.18.2 (verbal): Abraham 'lifted up his eyes and saw' visitors and immediately offers hospitality; verbal and situational parallel to the host’s noticing a traveler and initiating contact.
- Gen.19.1 (allusion): Lot meets strangers at the city gate and brings them into his house—an explicit literary and thematic foil for Judges 19 (the narrative is traditionally read as echoing and inverting the Sodom story).
- Gen.24.18-20 (structural): Abraham’s servant meets Rebekah at the well, asks about her origin, and she displays hospitality to his camels—a comparable travel/hospitality encounter marked by questions about where one is coming from and going to.
- Luke.10.30-37 (thematic): The Good Samaritan episode frames care for travelers and the ethics of hospitality/assistance to strangers, resonating thematically with the movement, vulnerability, and expectations surrounding travelers in Judges 19.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when he lifted up his eyes, he saw the traveler in the street of the city; and the old man said, "Where are you going, and where do you come from?"
- When he lifted up his eyes and saw the traveler in the open square of the city, the old man said, 'Where are you going, and where do you come from?'
Jud.19.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- עברים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- אנחנו: PRON,1,pl
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- עד: PREP
- ירכתי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משם: PREP
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- ואלך: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- עד: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ואת: CONJ
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאסף: VERB,qal,ptcp,act,m,sg
- אותי: PRON,1,sg,acc
- הביתה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Ruth 1:1 (structural): Same setting and timeframe: 'a man of Bethlehem Judah' and 'in the days when the judges ruled'—links the narrative world and movements to/from Bethlehem.
- Genesis 19:1-3 (thematic): Both episodes depict travelers seeking lodging in a town; Lot's reception in Sodom (and its perversion) provides a direct contrast with Gibeah's failure to shelter guests.
- Genesis 18:1-8 (thematic): Abraham's exemplary hospitality toward unexpected visitors models the social expectation that travelers be received into a house—an expectation assumed by the Levite here.
- Deuteronomy 10:19 (verbal): The law to 'love the sojourner' and remember Israel's own status as strangers thematizes the obligation to receive outsiders, which the Levite expects but does not find.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to him, "We are passing from Bethlehem of Judah to the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim; from there I was going to Bethlehem of Judah and to the house of the LORD, and no man took me into his house.
- They said to him, 'We are passing from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim. I am from there, and I was going to my house to Bethlehem, and to the house of the LORD; but no man would take me into his house.
Jud.19.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- תבן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- מספוא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לחמורינו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss1,pl
- וגם: CONJ
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ולאמתך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss2,sg
- ולנער: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- עבדיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2ms
- אין: PART,neg
- מחסור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 18:4 (thematic): Abraham's offer to guests—water to wash feet and a morsel of bread—reflects the same ancient hospitality norms of providing food, drink, and rest to visitors.
- Genesis 19:3 (thematic): Lot prepares a meal and shelters his guests, paralleling the household's duty to provide food and lodging to travelers and protect them.
- 1 Samuel 25:18-20 (verbal): Abigail loads donkeys with bread, wine, and provisions to meet David—closely parallels Judges 19:19's mention of bread, wine, fodder, and provision for servants and animals.
- Exodus 18:7-8 (thematic): Jethro's reception of Moses with a meal and fellowship illustrates a similar pattern of welcoming and provisioning an arriving guest or delegation.
- Luke 10:34 (thematic): The Good Samaritan supplies oil, wine, and lodging to a traveler in need; a New Testament example of providing practical sustenance and care to a stranger.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also we have straw and provender for our asses, and bread and wine for me and your maid and for the young man who is with your servants; there is no lack of anything."
- Furthermore, we have straw and fodder for our donkeys, and bread and wine for me, your servant, and for the young man with your servants; there is nothing lacking.'
Jud.19.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזקן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- רק: PRT
- כל: DET
- מחסורך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- רק: PRT
- ברחוב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- תלן: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 19:2 (verbal): Lot meets the visitors and urges them, "Turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night," using language very similar to the Levite's host who says, "do not spend the night in the street."
- Genesis 18:3-5 (thematic): Abraham's prompt offer of water, rest, and a meal to passing strangers parallels the theme of providing shelter and meeting a traveler's needs found in Judges 19:20.
- 1 Kings 17:8-12 (thematic): The widow of Zarephath receives Elijah and prepares a meal despite her scarcity; like the old man in Judges 19:20, the scene highlights hospitality and provision for a traveller even when resources are limited.
- Ruth 2:14 (thematic): Boaz invites Ruth to eat with his reapers and offers additional provision and protection — another instance of a host providing food and safety to a needy guest, echoing the hospitable intent of Judges 19:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the old man said, "Peace be to you; only let all your wants be on me; only do not spend the night in the square."
- The old man said, 'Peace to you; only let all your wants be upon me; only do not spend the night in the square.'
Jud.19.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויביאהו: VERB,hiphil,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m
- לביתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויבול: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- לחמורים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וירחצו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- רגליהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- ויאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וישתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 18:4 (verbal): Abraham’s hospitality formula — asks for water to wash the visitors’ feet and for them to rest, echoing the explicit foot‑washing/rest motif in Judges 19:21.
- Genesis 19:2–3 (thematic): Lot receives strangers into his house, prepares a meal and offers them rest — a closely related episode of hospitality to outsiders in a domestic setting.
- 2 Samuel 11:8 (verbal): David tells Uriah to 'go down to thy house, and wash thy feet' — the act of washing feet functions here as a sign of coming into the house/being at ease, paralleling the foot‑washing in Judges 19:21.
- 1 Samuel 25:18–20 (thematic): Abigail brings provisions and hospitality to David and his men on the road; parallels the provision of fodder, food and drink for travelers in Judges 19:21.
- John 13:4–5 (thematic): Jesus washes his disciples’ feet — while the context differs (servanthood vs. guest hospitality), it echoes the cultural significance of foot‑washing as care, welcome or intimate service reflected in Judges 19:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- So he brought them into his house, and made them a feast; and they washed their feet, and they ate and drank.
- So he brought them into his house and gave fodder to the donkeys; they washed their feet and ate and drank.
Jud.19.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- מיטיבים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- לבם: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- והנה: ADV
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בליעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נסבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מתדפקים: VERB,hitp,part,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- הדלת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אל: NEG
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזקן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הוצא: VERB,hiphil,imp,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ביתך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ונדענו: VERB,qal,cohort,1,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 19:4-11 (allusion): Men of the city surround Lot’s house, beat on the door and demand to ‘know’ the visitors — a close narrative and thematic parallel to the Gibeah mob’s attempt to seize the man who stayed at the house.
- Genesis 19:8 (structural): Lot’s offer of his daughters to the mob mirrors the host’s later offer of the concubine (Judg.19:24): both narratives show a patriarch offering women to appease a violent male mob.
- 2 Samuel 13:11-14 (thematic): Amnon’s rape of Tamar inside a household shares the theme of sexual violence within domestic space and betrayal of sanctuary/trust; both passages highlight gendered violence with catastrophic family and social consequences.
- Judges 20:13 (structural): The Israelite demand to ‘give up the men of Gibeah’ so they may be punished (leading to civil war) is the direct communal response to the crime first enacted in Judg.19:22–24, linking the episode to the wider judicial and military fallout.
Alternative generated candidates
- While they were making merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house, and beat on the door; and they said to the master of the house, "Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him."
- While they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain worthless fellows, surrounded the house and beat on the door. They said to the old man, the master of the house, 'Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him.'
Jud.19.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- אחי: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- אל: NEG
- תרעו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- נא: PART
- אחרי: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ביתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- אל: NEG
- תעשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הנבלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 19:4-8 (allusion): Men of the city surround Lot’s house and demand to violate his guests; Lot’s desperate offer of his daughters parallels the narrative pattern of threatened mob violence and the abuse of hospitality echoed in Judges 19.
- Judges 19:22 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the men of the city gather and assault the house—Judg.19:23 is the host’s verbal response within the same violent scene, forming a direct structural continuation.
- Judges 19:24 (verbal): The host’s subsequent offer of his daughter and the Levite’s concubine to the mob closely mirrors the earlier offer language and reinforces the theme of sacrificial hospitality and moral collapse.
- 2 Samuel 13:2-14 (thematic): The rape of Tamar by Amnon shares themes of sexual violence within domestic/kinship settings, male entitlement, and catastrophic familial consequences, paralleling the violent assault and breach of household protection in Judges 19.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this outrage.
- The man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, 'No, my brothers; do not behave wickedly. Since this man has come into my house, do not commit this outrage.
Jud.19.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- בתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- הבתולה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ופילגשהו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,3ms
- אוציאה: VERB,hiph,impf,1,sg
- נא: PART
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- וענו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- ועשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- הטוב: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיניכם: PREP+NOUN,pl,f,cons+PRON,2,pl
- ולאיש: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תעשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנבלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 19:4-8 (verbal): Lot offers his daughters to a hostile mob to protect male guests — language and situation closely parallel the Levite’s offer of his virgin daughter/concubine to the men at Gibeah.
- Judges 19:25 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the men of the city actually seize and abuse the concubine — shows the outcome to which 19:24’s offer directly leads.
- 2 Samuel 13:12-14 (thematic): Amnon’s rape of Tamar (a close female relative/household member) echoes themes of sexual violence within a domestic context, betrayal of hospitality/familial trust, and brutal treatment of women.
- Deuteronomy 22:23-24 (thematic): Legal concern for a virgin violated in the town and the social-communal ramifications of sexual assault—provides the legal/ethical backdrop against which such violent acts and offers of daughters are judged in Israelite discourse.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, here is my virgin daughter and his concubine; let me bring them out now, and humble them, and do to them what seems good to you; but to this man do not so vile a thing."
- Here are my virgin daughter and his concubine; let me bring them out now; ravish them and do with them what seems good to you. But against this man do not do such a vile thing.'
Jud.19.25 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- אבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לשמע: INF,qal,infc
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ויחזק: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בפילגשו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- החוץ: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וידעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אותה: PRON,3,f,sg,acc
- ויתעללו: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- כל: DET
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- הבקר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישלחוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl+PRON,3,f,sg
- כעלות: PREP+INF,qal
- השחר: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 19:4-11 (allusion): Mob in Sodom surrounds Lot’s house and demands the visitors so they can assault them—close narrative and thematic parallel of gang sexual violence and violated hospitality.
- 2 Samuel 13:10-15 (verbal): Amnon seizes and 'knows' Tamar (rape) inside a house; similar vocabulary and domestic sexual violence with devastating personal and communal consequences.
- Deuteronomy 22:25-27 (thematic): Legal treatment of a man who seizes and lies with a woman by force (distinguishing city/field); provides legal/moral background for understanding forced intercourse in Israelite law.
- Judges 19:29 (structural): Immediate narrative sequel in the same episode (dismemberment of the concubine and sending pieces throughout Israel); shows how the rape precipitates national outrage and civil war.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the men would not heed him. So the man took his concubine and brought her out to them; and they knew her and abused her all night until the morning; and at morning they let her go.
- But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and brought her out to them; and they knew her and abused her all night until morning and let her go at the approach of dawn.
Jud.19.26 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לפנות: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- הבקר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אדוניה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שם: ADV
- עד: PREP
- האור: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Judg.19:25 (structural): Immediate context: the concubine was abused through the night and left at the house; verse 26 continues the scene at dawn, describing her coming to the door and falling there until morning.
- Gen.19:4-11 (thematic): Nighttime mob violence and sexual assault at a house (men of Sodom demanding the visitors); parallels the theme of communal sexual violence and the breakdown of hospitality and protection.
- 2 Sam.13:12-20 (thematic): Amnon’s rape of Tamar and her ensuing desolation in the household: a close parallel in sexual violence within a domestic setting and the victim’s humiliation and abandonment.
- Deut.22:25-27 (allusion): Legal treatment of rape (a man meeting a betrothed woman in the field and forcing her): provides an instructive legal-theological parallel addressing sexual violence, consent, and culpability relevant to the situation in Judges 19.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the woman came as the day began to dawn, and fell at the door of the man's house where her master was, until it was light.
- At daybreak the woman came and fell down at the doorway of the man’s house where her master was, until the light came.
Jud.19.27 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אדניה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבקר: PREP
- ויפתח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דלתות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- לדרכו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- והנה: ADV
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- פילגשו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- נפלת: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וידיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- הסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 19:4-8 (verbal): Nighttime mob outside a house demanding sexual access to guests; Lot’s offer of his daughters and the men’s demand to “know” the visitors echo the language and moral situation in Judges 19 (both scenes frame the violation of strangers/guests).
- 2 Samuel 13:10-14 (thematic): Amnon’s rape of his half-sister Tamar inside a private house and her subsequent disgrace and expulsion parallels the domestic sexual violence in Judges 19 and the resulting family/communal crisis.
- Deuteronomy 22:25-27 (structural): Legal treatment of rape (distinguishing assaults in town and field) provides the law-code background for understanding sexual violence in Israelite narrative—relevant for judging the crime depicted in Judges 19.27.
- Judges 19:29 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the Levite’s dismembering of the concubine and sending the pieces to the tribes is a direct structural and thematic sequel to 19:27, showing how the found body at the threshold triggers the national outrage and campaign in chapters 20–21.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when her master rose up in the morning and opened the doors of the house to go out to his way, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold.
- When her master rose up in the morning to go on his way, he opened the doors of the house and went out to depart; and behold, his concubine was lying at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold.
Jud.19.28 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- קומי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- ונלכה: VERB,qal,imprf,1,_,pl
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- ענה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקחה: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg+PRON,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- החמור: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- למקמו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.19:25-30 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the concubine is abused, found at the door, dies, is placed on the donkey and then the husband returns home—these verses form the contiguous action of which v.28 is a part.
- Gen.34:1-31 (thematic): Dinah’s rape and the violent, shame-driven communal response—parallels Judges 19 in themes of sexual violence, honor/shame, and subsequent social bloodshed.
- 2 Sam.13:1-22 (thematic): Amnon’s rape of Tamar and the family fallout—another powerful parallel of sexual assault within Israel’s households and the tragic personal and political consequences.
- 1 Sam.31:11-13 (thematic): Retrieval and treatment of bodies after violent death (Saul and his sons)—parallels the concern with transport/disposition of the dead following violent social conflict.
- 2 Sam.12:20-23 (verbal): David’s reaction to the child’s death—‘he arose’ and ‘went’ (וַיָּקָם… וַיֵּלֶךְ) offers a verbal/behavioral echo of the brief, pragmatic movements recorded in Judges 19:28 after a death.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to her, "Rise, and let us be going." But there was no answer. Then the man put her on the donkey, and the man rose up and went away to his home.
- He said to her, 'Get up, let us be going.' But there was no answer. Then the man put her on the donkey, and the man rose up and went to his place.
Jud.19.29 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המאכלת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויחזק: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בפילגשו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- וינתחה: VERB,niphal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- לעצמיה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3fs
- לשנים: PREP+NUM,pl
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- נתחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וישלחה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גבול: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 34:25-31 (thematic): Sexual violence against a woman leads to extreme, collective violent response and shame placed on a community—similar theme of sexual assault triggering inter-family/tribal repercussions.
- Judges 19:30 (verbal): Immediate narrative reaction to the dismemberment—characters declare the act unprecedented in Israel; direct continuation and comment on the event in v.29.
- Judges 20:1-48 (structural): The national assembly and civil war of Israel against the tribe of Benjamin is the direct political and military consequence of the crime recounted in 19:29.
- 2 Samuel 13:1-30 (thematic): The rape of Tamar by Amnon and the ensuing familial vengeance by Absalom share the themes of sexual violence within kinship networks and violent retribution with devastating social consequences.
- Judges 21:1-25 (structural): The post-war measures to provide wives for the surviving Benjaminites show the long-term social/legal fallout and communal attempts at restoration following the atrocity recounted in 19:29.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when he had come home, he took a knife, and divided the concubine, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel.
- When he entered his house, he took a knife and laid hold of his concubine and divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel.
Jud.19.30 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הראה: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- נהיתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- נראתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- כזאת: DEM,f,sg
- למיום: PREP+NOUN,masc,sg
- עלות: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- שימו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- עצו: VERB,piel,impv,2,pl
- ודברו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 19:4–11 (thematic): The mob’s attempt to assault Lot’s visitors in Sodom parallels the gang sexual violence against the Levite’s concubine—both portray collective sexual violence and communal wickedness judged by the narrative.
- Genesis 34:1–31 (thematic): Dinah’s rape by Shechem and the violent retaliatory slaughter by Simeon and Levi echo the pattern of sexual violation within Israelite society followed by tribal violence and moral outrage.
- 2 Samuel 13:1–22 (thematic): Amnon’s rape of Tamar within the royal family and the ensuing blood-feud that destabilizes the house of David parallel Judges 19’s intra‑Israelite sexual crime and its explosive social consequences.
- Judges 20:1–48 (structural): The national outrage expressed in Judges 19:30 directly leads into Judges 20’s account of the Israelite assembly and civil war against Benjamin; the two passages function as parts of the same narrative episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- And all who saw it said, "Such a thing has never been seen or done since the day that the children of Israel came up from the land of Egypt until this day; consider it, confer, and speak."
- All who saw it said, 'Such a thing has never been seen or done, from the day that the people of Israel came up from the land of Egypt until this day; consider it, take counsel, and speak.'
In those days there was no king in Israel. A certain Levite was staying in the remote hill country of Ephraim; and he took to himself a concubine from Bethlehem of Judah. But the concubine played the harlot against him and went away to her father's house at Bethlehem of Judah, and she was there four months.
Then her husband arose and went after her to speak kindly to her and to bring her back; with him went his servant and two donkeys. So she brought him into her father's house; and when the girl's father saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
The girl's father, the woman's father, held him and made him stay; and he remained with him three days. They ate and drank, and lodged there.
On the fourth day they rose early in the morning, and he prepared to go; but the girl's father said to his son‑in‑law, "Refresh your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward you may go." So they sat down and ate both of them together. Then the girl's father said to the man, "Please, be willing to spend the night; comfort yourself." But the man arose to depart; and his father‑in‑law urged him, so he lodged there again.
On the fifth day they rose early to depart, but the girl's father said, "Strengthen your heart; spend the day and go in the evening." So they ate together.
Then the man—the Levite—rose to depart with his concubine and his servant. But the girl's father, the son‑in‑law, said to him, "Please be content to spend the night; see, the day is waning toward evening—lodge here; spend the night and be glad, and in the morning you may rise up early and go on your way."
Yet the man would not stay that night; he arose and departed and came opposite Jebus—that is, Jerusalem. With him were his concubine and his servant and two donkeys. Now the day was far spent, and the servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside into this Jebusite town and spend the night in it." But his master said to him, "We will not turn aside into a foreign town that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass on to Gibeah." And he said to the servant, "Come, let us draw near to one of these places and lodge in Gibeah or Ramah." So they passed and went; and the sun went down near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin.
They turned aside there to go in and lodge in Gibeah; and they sat down in the open square of the city, and no one took them into his house to spend the night.
Behold, an old man came in from his work in the field at evening. He was from the remote hill country of Ephraim and was staying in Gibeah; and the men of the place were Benjamites.
He lifted up his eyes and saw the traveler in the street of the city; and the old man said, "Where are you going, and where do you come from?" And he said to him, "We are passing from Bethlehem of Judah to the remote hill country of Ephraim. I went to Bethlehem of Judah, and I am going to the house of the LORD; there is no one to take me into his house."
The old man said, "Also we have straw and provender for your donkeys, and bread and wine for me and your servant and for the young man—there is no lack of anything."
The old man said, "Peace to you; only let all your needs be on me; only do not spend the night in the square." So he brought them into his house and made the donkeys ready; they washed their feet and ate and drank.
While they were making merry, behold, certain worthless fellows of the city, men of Belial, surrounded the house and beat the door. They said to the old man, the master of the house, "Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him."
Then the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not commit this disgraceful act." But they would not listen to him. So the man took his virgin daughter and his concubine and brought them out to them; and they humbled them and abused them, and dealt with them shamefully; the man did not allow them to do this to his guest.
Yet the men would not heed him. So the man took his concubine and brought her out to them; and they knew her and abused her all night until morning; and when the morning began to dawn, they let her go.
Then the woman came as the day was dawning and fell down at the door of the man's house where her master was until full daylight.
When her master rose in the morning to go on his way, he opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way, and behold, the woman, his concubine, was lying at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold.
He said to her, "Rise, let us be going." But there was no answer. Then the man put her on the donkey, and the man rose and went to his place.
When he entered his house, he took a knife and laid hold of his concubine and divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel. And all who saw it said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen or done since the day the people of Israel came up from the land of Egypt until this day; consider it, take counsel, and speak."