Judges Chapter 19

At a Glance

  • Judges 19 begins a grim, tightly wound narrative arc that exposes Israel’s moral decay in stark, brutal terms.
  • The narrative culminates in national outrage and retributive action, but the text leaves the reader with a stark picture of social fragmentation.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Judges 19 belongs to the later chapters of Judges where the moral collapse accelerates.
  • - Hospitality betrayed: The core breach is the violation of hospitality—the Levite should have been protected; instead, violence erupts in a space of supposed welcome.

JUDGES 19

Chapter Overview

Judges 19 begins a grim, tightly wound narrative arc that exposes Israel’s moral decay in stark, brutal terms. A Levi from Mount Ephraim travels with his concubine, who visits her father in Bethlehem during a long stay. This chapter foregrounds a breakdown of hospitality, trust, and mutual care—cornerstones of ancient hospitality codes. The Levite’s decision to take his concubine and travel with a servant and two donkeys sets the stage for a devastating series of events. The concubine’s departure to her father’s house and the ensuing drama—a pattern of meals, delays, and shifting loyalties—unfolds into a brutal climax: the concubine is abused and killed by her father and host, and in a shocking act, the Levite dismembers her body and sends the parts to the tribes of Israel as a demand for justice.

The narrative culminates in national outrage and retributive action, but the text leaves the reader with a stark picture of social fragmentation. There is no king, and there is no clear, righteous leadership to address grievous sins. The Levitical law code lingers as a distant memory, yet the people’s response reveals how far Israel has fallen from covenant life. Judges 19 functions as a mirror—grim and unflinching—reflecting the consequences of moral chaos, social disintegration, and the collapse of communal hospitality and justice.

Historical & Literary Context

Judges 19 belongs to the later chapters of Judges where the moral collapse accelerates. The concentric narrative structure, with a brutal event that shocks the nation into collective reflection, is characteristic of Judges’ sobering critique of leadership and social order. The chapter’s stark violence and familially entangled exploitation present a culture in which law, hospitality, and the sanctity of life have degraded into a cycle of revenge and brutality. The text uses raw, graphic storytelling to press readers toward a reckoning with the consequences of societal decay and the absence of just governance.

Key Themes

- Hospitality betrayed: The core breach is the violation of hospitality—the Levite should have been protected; instead, violence erupts in a space of supposed welcome.

- Social collapse without king or justice: The absence of centralized leadership leaves people vulnerable to extreme actions and cycles of vengeance.

- Personal sin and collective consequence: Individual wrongs trigger communal reactions and mass moral injury.

- The fragility of life and the sacredness of women: The violent treatment of the concubine highlights gendered brutality within a broader pattern of dehumanization.

- The call to righteous judgment: The text ends with a national plea for justice, signaling a need for reform and covenant faithfulness that is sorely lacking.

Modern Application

- Reexamining hospitality and safety: The chapter challenges readers to uphold hospitality as a sacred obligation, guarding against exploitation and violence in vulnerable spaces.

- Leadership and accountability: In today’s world, it calls for leaders who embody justice, mercy, and restraint, especially in crisis and conflict.

- Addressing gender-based violence: The brutal events prompt contemporary societies to confront violence against women and advocate for protection, dignity, and justice.

- Community discernment: The national response to the crime invites communities to engage in ethical dialogue, justice processes, and reconciliation that honor the vulnerable.

- Lament and reform: Judges 19 invites faithful lament—named sin—to become a catalyst for systemic reform, not mere angry reaction.

Cross-References (3-5 related passages)

- Judges 20-21 (war and civil conflict triggered by the Levi’s story)

- Deuteronomy 16-21 (laws governing hospitality, vengeance, and justice)

- Exodus 22 (laws about personal injury and social protection)

- Proverbs 31 (contrast with a life of virtuous action)

Recommended Personas

- Jesus (to emphasize mercy, nonviolence, and restoration of broken relationships)

- Moses (for judicial leadership and reform)

- Paul (to discuss the body of Christ and communal ethic)

- Ruth (for hospitality and loyalty under pressure)

- Esther (for courage and advocacy in crisis)

Chapter Text

1

And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.

2

And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months.

3

And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father’s house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.

4

And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

5

And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.

6

And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

7

And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.

8

And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.

9

And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.

10

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.

11

And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.

12

And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.

13

And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

14

And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.

15

And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging.

16

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.

17

And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?

18

And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.

19

Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.

20

And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.

21

So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

22

Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.

23

And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.

24

Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.

25

But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.

26

Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light.

27

And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.

28

And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place.

29

And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.

30

And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.

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