Judges 19:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And they passed on {H5674} and went their way {H3212}; and the sun {H8121} went down {H935} upon them when they were by {H681} Gibeah {H1390}, which belongeth to Benjamin {H1144}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So they went on and kept traveling, until the sun set on them near Giv'ah, which belongs to Binyamin.

Berean Standard Bible

So they continued on their journey, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin.

American Standard Version

So they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them near to Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 19:14 serves as a chilling and pivotal moment in one of the Bible's most disturbing narratives, marking the arrival of the Levite, his concubine, and servant at Gibeah as dusk descends. This seemingly simple detail of time and location is profoundly significant, acting as a grim prelude to the horrific acts of depravity and violence that are about to unfold. The verse vividly exposes the profound moral and spiritual decay within Israel during a period when there was no righteous leadership, transforming a mundane travelogue into a foreboding signpost that signals the imminent descent into chaos and the tragic consequences of a society that has utterly abandoned divine standards.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 19:14 is situated within the harrowing narrative of the Levite and his concubine (Judges 19-21), which stands as the climactic and most shocking illustration of Israel's moral decline in the book of Judges. The preceding verses detail the Levite's journey from Bethlehem in Judah, where he had retrieved his concubine, to his intended destination in the hill country of Ephraim. The travelers had deliberately chosen to bypass the Jebusite city of Jerusalem, which was not yet fully under Israelite control, opting instead for an Israelite city, anticipating safety and hospitality among their own people. Their decision to press on past Bethlehem and Ramah, and specifically to Gibeah, a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, is presented as a fateful choice. The mention of the setting sun underscores the urgency of finding lodging and heightens the sense of impending doom, as the protective light of day gives way to the vulnerabilities of night.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges chronicles a tumultuous period in Israelite history following the conquest of Canaan, characterized by recurring cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance through divinely appointed judges. The poignant and oft-repeated refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (as seen in [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel; Everyone Did What Was Right In His Own Eyes")), encapsulates the spiritual and political anarchy of the era. Hospitality was a sacred and deeply ingrained cultural norm in the ancient Near East, especially towards travelers, often considered a divine mandate (cf. [Genesis 18](/genesis/18 "Genesis 18 - Abraham's Hospitality to Strangers")). The failure of this custom, particularly in an Israelite city, would have been a shocking transgression against both human decency and covenantal obligations. Gibeah itself, located in the territory of Benjamin, would later become the hometown of Israel's first king, Saul, adding a layer of tragic irony to its association with such profound depravity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though concise, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Judges. Firstly, it highlights **Ill-Fated Choices**, as the Levite's seemingly prudent decision to bypass a foreign city for an Israelite one ironically leads to catastrophic danger, exposing the deep corruption within Israel itself. Secondly, it foreshadows the shocking **Breakdown of Hospitality**, a fundamental societal and religious obligation, setting the stage for the unprecedented failure of welcome in Gibeah, a stark contrast to the divine and human expectation of care for sojourners (e.g., [Genesis 19:1-3](/genesis/19-1-3 "Genesis 19:1-3 - Lot's Hospitality in Sodom")). Finally, and most profoundly, Judges 19:14 serves as a grim illustration of the pervasive **Moral and Spiritual Decay of Israel**. The events that follow in Gibeah become the ultimate demonstration of a society where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - Everyone Did What Was Right In His Own Eyes")), leading to national sin and ultimately, civil war against the tribe of Benjamin ([Judges 20](/judges/20 "Judges 20 - The War Against Benjamin")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gibeah (Hebrew, _Gibʻâh'_):** This place name (H1390) literally means "hill" or "height." While a common geographical descriptor, its specific mention here is crucial. Gibeah was a significant city within the tribal territory of Benjamin. Its identification as the destination for the travelers, coupled with the setting sun, immediately imbues the location with a sense of foreboding. It is not just any hill, but *the* hill where Israel's moral nadir would be reached, a stark symbol of the depravity that had taken root even within the covenant community.
* **went down (Hebrew, _bôwʼ'_):** The verb (H935) "went down" or "came in" (referring to the sun) marks the transition from day to night. Beyond its literal meaning, it functions as a potent literary device. In biblical narratives, the onset of night often symbolizes danger, vulnerability, or the approach of evil (e.g., [John 13:30](/john/13-30 "John 13:30 - Judas Leaves and It Was Night")). Here, the setting sun acts as a dramatic cue, signaling the end of any remaining hope for a safe and hospitable night and ushering in the darkness—both literal and moral—that will envelop the travelers and the city of Gibeah.
* **Benjamin (Hebrew, _Binyâmîyn'_):** This name (H1144), meaning "son of (the) right hand," refers to the youngest son of Jacob and the tribe descended from him. The explicit mention of Gibeah belonging to Benjamin is highly significant. The subsequent horrific events in Gibeah will lead to a devastating civil war against the entire tribe of Benjamin by the other Israelite tribes, almost resulting in its annihilation. This detail immediately links the specific location to the broader tribal and national consequences of the impending wickedness, underscoring the profound collective responsibility and the far-reaching impact of the moral decay.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they passed on and went their way;":** This clause emphasizes the continuation of the journey, highlighting the Levite's determination to avoid Jebus (Jerusalem) and seek lodging among his own people. It underscores the active choice being made, a choice that, in hindsight, proves tragically misguided. The simple, almost mundane, description of their movement belies the momentous consequences of their chosen path, leading them inexorably towards a horrifying encounter.
* **"and the sun went down upon them":** This phrase establishes the critical timing of their arrival. The day is ending, forcing them to seek immediate shelter. This temporal marker is not merely descriptive; it creates a profound sense of urgency and vulnerability. The fading light symbolizes the fading hope of finding genuine hospitality and safety, as the darkness of night prepares the stage for the moral darkness that is about to engulf them and the city.
* **"[when they were] by Gibeah, which [belongeth] to Benjamin.":** This final clause pinpoints the precise, fateful location. Gibeah, a city of Benjamin, is identified as their stopping point. The tribal affiliation is profoundly significant, as the subsequent events will lead to a devastating civil war against Benjamin, almost annihilating the tribe. The specificity of the location grounds the impending horror in a particular community within Israel, making the moral failure all the more shocking and tragic, demonstrating the extent of corruption even within the covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 19:14 masterfully employs several literary devices to heighten the dramatic tension and underscore the verse's profound significance. **Foreshadowing** is prominently featured, as the setting sun and the specific choice of Gibeah immediately signal that something terrible is about to happen. The transition from day to night symbolically prepares the reader for the moral darkness that will soon descend upon the characters and the city. There is a deep **Irony** at play: the Levite deliberately bypasses a foreign, non-Israelite city (Jebus) in favor of what he presumes will be a safe, hospitable Israelite city, only to encounter unparalleled depravity among his own people. This subverts the expectation of covenantal solidarity and highlights the extent of Israel's internal corruption. Furthermore, the verse uses **Symbolism**, with the approaching night representing not just physical darkness but also the moral and spiritual decay that has consumed Gibeah and, by extension, much of Israel. The city of Gibeah itself becomes a **Metonymy** for the tribe of Benjamin and, more broadly, for the state of Israel's moral decline during this period of anarchy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 19:14 serves as a stark theological commentary on the devastating consequences of spiritual and moral anarchy. The narrative it introduces powerfully illustrates the dangers inherent in a society that lacks righteous leadership and where individuals abandon God's law to "do what is right in their own eyes." The breakdown of fundamental societal norms, such as hospitality, directly reflects a deeper spiritual malaise—a pervasive rejection of covenantal obligations and a precipitous descent into self-serving depravity. This verse sets the stage for a narrative that exposes the profound need for divine order and justice, highlighting how far Israel had fallen from its calling as a holy nation. It underscores the timeless truth that when God's standards are abandoned, human society inevitably descends into chaos, violence, and injustice, demonstrating the inherent depravity of the human heart apart from divine restraint and guidance.

* [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel; Everyone Did What Was Right In His Own Eyes")
* [Deuteronomy 12:8](/deuteronomy/12-8 "Deuteronomy 12:8 - Do Not Do As We Are Doing Here Today")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - There Is A Way That Seems Right To A Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 19:14, though a brief verse, is a potent reminder of the profound impact of our choices and the moral climate of our communities. The Levite's decision to press on to Gibeah, seemingly a minor logistical detail, sets the stage for unspeakable tragedy, underscoring how seemingly small decisions can have monumental, unforeseen consequences. This compels us to cultivate discernment, especially when navigating uncertain paths or choosing our associations, recognizing that our environments profoundly shape our experiences. Furthermore, the narrative that unfolds from this verse serves as a grim warning about the societal decay that results when foundational moral and spiritual truths are abandoned. When a community, or even a nation, rejects objective standards of right and wrong, and when "everyone does what is right in his own eyes," the inevitable outcome is chaos, injustice, and depravity. For believers today, this story calls us to be vigilant guardians of truth and righteousness, to actively promote biblical values of hospitality, justice, and compassion, and to resist the seductive pull of moral relativism that can erode the very fabric of human decency and societal order.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do our seemingly insignificant daily choices contribute to the larger trajectory of our lives or the moral health of our communities?**
* **What are the contemporary "Gibeas" in our world or even in our own hearts, where moral compromise or the absence of divine truth leads to darkness?**
* **How can individual believers and the Church collectively stand as a beacon of light and hospitality in a world increasingly characterized by moral relativism and spiritual decay?**

### FAQ

**Why did they not stay in Jerusalem (Jebus)?**

Answer: At this time, Jerusalem was still inhabited by the Jebusites, a non-Israelite people, as noted in [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - Judah Could Not Drive Out the Jebusites"). The Levite, seeking hospitality and safety, likely preferred to stay in an Israelite city among his own people, expecting to find the customary welcome and protection. This decision highlights the tragic irony of the narrative, as the Levite finds far greater depravity and danger within an Israelite city than he might have encountered in a foreign one.

**What is the significance of "the sun went down"?**

Answer: Beyond its literal meaning of the end of the day, "the sun went down" serves as a powerful literary device, creating a sense of foreboding and impending doom. The fading light symbolizes the onset of darkness—not just physical night, but the moral and spiritual darkness that is about to engulf the travelers and the city of Gibeah. It marks a critical turning point in the narrative, signaling the end of any perceived safety and the beginning of the horrific events that will unfold under the cover of night.

**How does Gibeah relate to the tribe of Benjamin?**

Answer: Gibeah was a prominent city located within the tribal territory of Benjamin. The horrific events that transpire in Gibeah, involving the Benjamites of the city, lead to a national outcry and ultimately provoke a devastating civil war against the entire tribe of Benjamin by the other Israelite tribes. This conflict, detailed in [Judges 20](/judges/20 "Judges 20 - War Against Benjamin"), nearly results in the annihilation of Benjamin, making Gibeah a symbol of the tribe's profound moral failure and the extreme consequences of Israel's spiritual decay.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 19:14, with its foreboding depiction of a society devoid of righteous leadership and steeped in moral darkness, powerfully anticipates the desperate need for a true King. The chaos and depravity that consume Gibeah, where "every man did what was right in his own eyes," stand in stark contrast to the perfect reign of Jesus Christ. While the sun set on Gibeah, ushering in a night of unspeakable evil, Jesus arrived as the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), shining in the darkness that could not overcome Him ([John 1:5](/john/1-5 "John 1:5 - The Light Shines in the Darkness")). The failure of human hospitality in Gibeah, a grievous sin against God's covenant, is utterly redeemed by Christ, who offers ultimate hospitality and welcome to all who come to Him ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). The absence of a king and the resulting moral anarchy in Judges highlight humanity's desperate need for a sovereign ruler who is both perfectly just and merciful. Jesus, the [King of Kings and Lord of Lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"), fulfills this need, establishing a kingdom of righteousness and peace where His subjects no longer do what is right in their own eyes, but live according to His perfect law of love. The tragic narrative of Judges 19:14 ultimately points to the glorious truth that in Christ, the true Son of David, humanity finds its ultimate King, its perfect Light, and its eternal refuge.

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.