Judges 19:11

KJV

[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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when they were by Jebus {H2982}, the day {H3117} was far {H3966} spent {H7286}; and the servant {H5288} said {H559} unto his master {H113}, Come {H3212}, I pray thee, and let us turn in {H5493} into this city {H5892} of the Jebusites {H2983}, and lodge {H3885} in it.

Complete Jewish Bible

By the time they arrived at Y'vus it was nearly evening; and the servant said to his master, "Why don't we go on into this city of the Y'vusi and stay there?"

Berean Standard Bible

When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, “Please, let us stop at this Jebusite city and spend the night here.”

American Standard Version

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 aside into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 19:11 initiates one of the most disturbing narratives in the biblical canon, depicting a Levite, his concubine, and his servant nearing the ancient city of Jebus (Jerusalem) as dusk rapidly descends. This seemingly innocuous moment of travel and the servant's pragmatic suggestion to seek lodging within this non-Israelite city serve as a critical turning point, setting the stage for the Levite's fateful decision and the subsequent horrific events that starkly expose the profound moral and spiritual decay pervasive throughout Israel during the tumultuous period of the Judges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the harrowing narrative of [Judges 19-21](/judges/19 "Judges 19-21 - The Levite and His Concubine, and the War with Benjamin"), which recounts the Levite's journey to Bethlehem to retrieve his estranged concubine, their extended stay with her father, and the subsequent atrocities committed in Gibeah. [Judges 19:1-10](/judges/19-1-10 "Judges 19:1-10 - The Levite's Journey and Reconciliation") details the Levite's reconciliation and the prolonged hospitality at his father-in-law's house, emphasizing the challenges of departing. Judges 19:11 marks the commencement of their perilous return journey, placing the travelers at a significant geographical landmark, Jebus, at a precarious time of day. This moment is a pivotal decision point, immediately preceding the Levite's fateful choice to bypass Jebus for an Israelite town, a decision that tragically leads to the unspeakable violence and moral depravity that unfolds in the subsequent verses. The verse thus serves as a critical hinge, transitioning the narrative from domestic reconciliation to national catastrophe.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of the Judges, Jebus was the ancient name for Jerusalem, a city that remained under the control of the Jebusites, a Canaanite people whom the Israelites had not yet dispossessed. This fact highlights Israel's incomplete conquest of the land, a recurring theme and a source of spiritual compromise throughout the book of Judges, as seen in [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - The Benjaminites Fail to Drive Out the Jebusites"). Travel after sunset in the ancient Near East was fraught with significant dangers, including bandits, wild animals, and the general peril of navigating in darkness, making the urgent search for safe lodging a critical priority for any traveler. While the cultural imperative of hospitality was strong, there was a clear preference for seeking shelter among one's own people, particularly in a period marked by tribal loyalties and deep-seated distrust of foreign inhabitants. The servant's suggestion, though eminently practical, is made against this complex backdrop of incomplete conquest, pervasive danger, and cultural expectations.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 19:11 introduces and reinforces several profound themes that permeate the broader narrative of Judges. The **Incomplete Conquest** is starkly highlighted by the continued presence of the Jebusites in Jerusalem, serving as a tangible symbol of Israel's failure to fully obey God's command to drive out the land's inhabitants, a failure that directly contributed to the nation's spiritual and moral decline. The **Vulnerability and Danger** faced by the travelers are acutely emphasized by the approaching darkness, creating a palpable sense of urgency and foreshadowing the immense perils that await them. This verse also sets the stage for the theme of **Fateful Decisions**, as the servant's pragmatic suggestion to seek immediate shelter contrasts sharply with the Levite's subsequent choice to avoid Jebus, a decision that ironically leads them into an even more perilous and morally corrupt situation within an Israelite town. Ultimately, this incident reflects the overarching theme of **Moral Anarchy** prevalent in the book of Judges, where "there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes," a refrain powerfully echoed in [Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel") and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jebus (Hebrew, _Yᵉbûwç'_):** (H2982) This is the ancient name for Jerusalem, derived from a root meaning "trodden" or "threshing-place." Its mention here is highly significant, indicating that at this point in Israelite history, the city remained under the control of the Jebusites, a Canaanite people. This detail underscores the incomplete nature of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, a recurring motif throughout the book of Judges and a powerful symbol of Israel's spiritual compromise and disobedience to God's commands.
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** (H3117) Referring to the period of daylight, this word emphasizes the temporal setting of the narrative. The phrase "the day was far spent" indicates that the warm hours of daylight were rapidly concluding, signaling the onset of evening and the approaching darkness. This detail immediately establishes a sense of urgency and vulnerability for the travelers, as night travel in the ancient world was notoriously dangerous, setting a foreboding tone for the events to come.
* **lodge (Hebrew, _lûwn'_):** (H3885) This primitive root means "to stop, usually overnight," or "to stay permanently." In this context, it highlights the immediate and practical need for shelter and rest after a day of travel. The servant's suggestion to "lodge in it" (the city of the Jebusites) reflects the ancient custom of seeking hospitality for the night. The very act of seeking lodging becomes a central theme, tragically inverted and abused later in the narrative, where the expected custom of hospitality is brutally violated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they were by Jebus":** This clause precisely situates the travelers geographically, placing them at a critical crossroads near the ancient city of Jebus, later known as Jerusalem. Its non-Israelite status at this time is a crucial detail, foregrounding the unfolding narrative and the broader historical context of Israel's incomplete dominion over the Promised Land.
* **"the day was far spent;":** This temporal marker establishes the urgency and perilous nature of the situation. The fading light signifies the onset of evening, a dangerous time for travelers in the ancient world due to lack of visibility, the threat of wild animals, and the risk of encountering bandits. It creates a palpable sense of pressure and vulnerability for the Levite and his entourage, necessitating immediate action.
* **"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.":** The servant's direct address and pragmatic suggestion reveal his astute observation of the circumstances and his concern for immediate safety and shelter. His proposal to seek lodging in a foreign, non-Israelite city, despite the cultural preference for Israelite hospitality, highlights the dire circumstances and the perceived necessity of securing a safe haven before night fully descends. This suggestion directly precipitates the master's fateful counter-proposal in the subsequent verse, setting the stage for the narrative's tragic turn.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 19:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to enhance its dramatic impact and thematic depth. **Foreshadowing** is prominently featured, as the phrase "the day was far spent" not only denotes the natural progression of time but also subtly hints at the encroaching moral darkness and spiritual depravity that will characterize the subsequent events in Gibeah. The physical descent of the sun mirrors the spiritual and ethical descent of Israel. There is also a strong element of **Irony** at play; the servant's pragmatic suggestion to seek safety in a foreign, non-Israelite city (Jebus) stands in stark contrast to the master's decision to bypass it for an Israelite town, which tragically proves to be far more dangerous and morally corrupt than the foreign city they avoided. The **Setting** of Jebus itself serves as a powerful symbolic device, representing Israel's failure to fully obey God's commands regarding the conquest of the land, a failure that directly contributes to the chaotic and violent state of the nation during the period of the Judges.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 19:11, though seemingly a simple chronological and geographical marker, is pregnant with profound theological significance, particularly concerning the dire consequences of Israel's incomplete obedience to God's commands. The lingering presence of the Jebusites in Jerusalem, a city God had explicitly promised to Israel and commanded them to conquer, serves as a tangible symbol of the nation's spiritual compromise and failure to fully dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants. This fundamental disobedience, repeatedly outlined in earlier books like Deuteronomy and Joshua, directly contributed to Israel's pervasive moral decay, as the people adopted the idolatrous practices and corrupt norms of the surrounding nations. The Levite's journey into this morally compromised landscape underscores the pervasive nature of this spiritual sickness, where even within Israelite territory, true safety, hospitality, and righteousness were tragically elusive. The narrative thus becomes a stark commentary on the dangers of spiritual apathy, selective obedience, and the catastrophic breakdown of divine order when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

* [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - The Benjaminites Fail to Drive Out the Jebusites")
* [Joshua 15:63](/joshua/15-63 "Joshua 15:63 - Judah's Inability to Dispossess the Jebusites")
* [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1-6 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - God's Command to Destroy the Nations and Avoid Intermarriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Judges 19:11 offers profound insights into human decision-making, particularly when faced with urgency and uncertainty in a morally compromised environment. The servant's practical suggestion to find immediate shelter, juxtaposed with the master's subsequent choice to bypass Jebus for an Israelite town, highlights the critical nature of discernment and the potential for grave misjudgment. This narrative challenges us to consider where we seek refuge and safety, especially when the "day is far spent" in our own lives—moments of vulnerability, crisis, or moral ambiguity. It serves as a sobering reminder that outward appearances, perceived affiliations, or even religious labels (like being an "Israelite city") do not inherently guarantee spiritual safety or moral uprightness. Indeed, the narrative powerfully illustrates that a community's moral decay can render even familiar spaces more dangerous than foreign ones. We are called to exercise wisdom, not merely pragmatism or tribal loyalty, and to seek true refuge not in human constructs or cultural norms, but in the unwavering principles of God's word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, lest our well-intentioned decisions lead to unforeseen and tragic consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do the immediate circumstances of our lives (like "the day was far spent") influence our decision-making, and how can we ensure these decisions align with God's will and wisdom?**
* **In what ways might our "incomplete conquests" or areas of unaddressed compromise in our lives create vulnerabilities for spiritual attack or moral decline?**
* **How does the narrative of Judges 19 challenge our assumptions about where true safety, genuine hospitality, and moral integrity are found, especially in a morally compromised world?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't the Israelites conquer Jebus (Jerusalem) earlier in their history?**

Answer: The failure to conquer Jebus (ancient Jerusalem) earlier is a recurring theme in the books of Judges and Joshua, highlighting Israel's incomplete obedience to God's command to fully dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants of the land. [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - The Benjaminites Fail to Drive Out the Jebusites") explicitly states that the Benjaminites did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem, and [Joshua 15:63](/joshua/15-63 "Joshua 15:63 - Judah's Inability to Dispossess the Jebusites") notes that the people of Judah could not dislodge them. This failure was not due to a lack of divine power, but rather Israel's lack of faith, resolve, and complete obedience to God's covenant commands. Consequently, the Jebusites continued to dwell among the Israelites, symbolizing the nation's spiritual compromise and contributing to the moral decay evident throughout the period of the Judges. It wasn't until the time of King David that Jerusalem was finally conquered and established as the capital of Israel ([2 Samuel 5:6-9](/2_samuel/5-6-9 "2 Samuel 5:6-9 - David Conquers Jerusalem and Makes it His Capital")).

**What is the significance of the servant's suggestion versus the master's decision in the following verses?**

Answer: The servant's suggestion in [Judges 19:11](/judges/19-11 "Judges 19:11 - The Servant Suggests Lodging in Jebus") to lodge in Jebus was a pragmatic and sensible one, given the dangers of night travel and the immediate need for shelter. However, the Levite's master rejects this advice in [Judges 19:12](/judges/19-12 "Judges 19:12 - The Levite Refuses to Lodge in a Foreign City"), stating, "We will not turn aside into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah." This decision, seemingly motivated by a desire for Israelite solidarity or perhaps a misguided sense of purity, proves tragically ironic. By choosing to bypass the "foreign" city for an "Israelite" one, they walk directly into a situation of extreme depravity and violence in Gibeah, a town in Benjamin. This stark contrast underscores the profound moral decay within Israel during this period, where an Israelite city proved far more dangerous and devoid of hospitality than the foreign city they avoided. It powerfully illustrates the overarching theme of [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes")—that in the absence of a righteous king and adherence to God's law, "every man did that which was right in his own eyes," leading to chaos and abhorrent acts even among God's chosen people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The pervasive darkness and moral chaos depicted in Judges 19:11 and the subsequent narrative powerfully underscore humanity's desperate need for a true King and a perfect Shepherd. The failure of the Levite, a nominal spiritual leader, to provide true safety or discernment, and the utter breakdown of hospitality and righteousness even within Israelite towns, reveal the depth of human depravity when left to its own devices, without a guiding authority. This profound brokenness points forward to Jesus Christ, the ultimate King who does not merely reign over a physical kingdom but establishes a spiritual one built on righteousness and peace, delivering His people from the domain of darkness into His marvelous light ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness into His Kingdom")). Unlike the Levite who led his household into peril, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who willingly lays down His life for His sheep, leading them to green pastures and still waters, ensuring their true safety and eternal rest ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). He is the true light who came into a world "far spent" in spiritual darkness, overcoming it with His glorious presence and truth, a light that darkness cannot comprehend ([John 1:5](/john/1-5 "John 1:5 - The Light Shines in the Darkness")). Where human leaders and communities failed to offer genuine hospitality and protection, Christ offers an open invitation to all who are weary and burdened, promising rest for their souls and a dwelling place in Him ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). The tragic events of Judges 19 ultimately serve as a stark backdrop, illuminating the profound necessity and unparalleled glory of Christ's redemptive work, which brings light, order, and true salvation to a world lost in its own darkness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 15:63

As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

Genesis 10:16

And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,

Judges 1:21

¶ And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.

2 Samuel 5:6

¶ And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

Judges 19:10

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.