Judges 19:12

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.

And his master {H113} said {H559} unto him, We will not turn aside {H5493} hither into the city {H5892} of a stranger {H5237}, that is not of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}; we will pass over {H5674} to Gibeah {H1390}.

But his master said to him, "We won't go into a city of foreigners which doesn't belong to the people of Isra'el. We'll go on across to Giv'ah."

But his master replied, โ€œWe will not turn aside to the city of foreigners, where there are no Israelites. We will go on to Gibeah.โ€

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

Commentary

Judges 19:12 marks a pivotal moment in the tragic narrative of the Levite and his concubine, revealing the dangerous choices made during a period of profound moral and spiritual decline in Israel. The Levite, seeking lodging for the night, opts against staying in a "city of a stranger" and instead chooses to journey to Gibeah, a city of the tribe of Benjamin.

Context

This verse is set during the tumultuous era of the Judges, a time characterized by a lack of central authority and widespread moral relativism, famously summarized by the phrase "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." The Levite, traveling from Bethlehem Judah, is advised by his servant to stop in Jebus (the ancient name for Jerusalem), which at this time was still inhabited by the Jebusites, a Canaanite people not yet dispossessed by Israel. His decision to bypass Jebus in favor of an Israelite city, Gibeah, sets the stage for the horrific events that follow, illustrating the deep-seated corruption within Israel itself.

Key Themes

  • National Identity and Separation: The Levite's reluctance to stay in a "city of a stranger" highlights the Israelite emphasis on their distinct identity as the children of Israel, set apart by God's covenant. This reflects the Mosaic Law's commands regarding separation from the Canaanite peoples.
  • False Sense of Security: The profound irony of this verse is that the Levite's choice to seek refuge among "his brethren" in Gibeah, an Israelite city, leads to far greater depravity and violence than he might have encountered in a foreign city. This decision underscores the danger of assuming safety or righteousness based solely on communal or religious affiliation.
  • Internal Corruption: The narrative powerfully illustrates that the greatest threats to Israel during this period were not always external enemies but the internal moral decay and spiritual apostasy within its own communities. The heinous acts committed in Gibeah reveal the depths of this internal rot.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "city of a stranger" uses the Hebrew word nokri (ื ึธื›ึฐืจึดื™), which denotes a foreigner or alien, someone not of Israelite descent. This choice emphasizes the distinction the Levite sought to maintain. Conversely, "children of Israel" (bene Yisrael, ื‘ึผึฐื ึตื™ ื™ึดืฉื‚ึฐืจึธืึตืœ) underscores their covenant identity and shared heritage, which the Levite seemingly believed would guarantee safety and hospitality.

Practical Application

Judges 19:12 serves as a stark reminder that appearances can be deceiving. Spiritual safety and true righteousness are not guaranteed by mere association with a religious group or community. While fellowship with believers is vital, this passage warns against a superficial sense of security based on outward affiliation alone. It challenges us to discern the true character and spiritual health of a community, recognizing that moral decay can fester even within those who claim to be "children of God." The tragic outcome in Gibeah should prompt us to seek genuine holiness and to be vigilant against compromise and unrighteousness within our own lives and communities, remembering that internal corruption can be far more destructive than external threats.

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.