Judges 19:18

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.

And he said {H559} unto him, We are passing {H5674} from Bethlehemjudah {H1035}{H3063} toward the side {H3411} of mount {H2022} Ephraim {H669}; from thence am I: and I went {H3212} to Bethlehemjudah {H1035}{H3063}, but I am now going {H1980} to the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}; and there is no man {H376} that receiveth {H622} me to house {H1004}.

He replied, "We're crossing from Beit-Lechem in Y'hudah to the far side of the Efrayim hills. That's where I'm from. I went to Beit-Lechem in Y'hudah, and now I'm going to the house of ADONAI; but there's no one here who will let me spend the night in his home.

The Levite replied, “We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote hill country of Ephraim, where I am from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the LORD; but no one has taken me into his home,

And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth-lehem-judah unto the farther side of the hill-country of Ephraim; from thence am I, and I went to Beth-lehem-judah: and I am now going to the house of Jehovah; and there is no man that taketh me into his house.

Commentary

Judges 19:18 presents a pivotal moment in the grim narrative of Judges 19, revealing the moral and social decay prevalent in Israel during this dark period. The verse records the Levite, who is the central figure of this chapter's tragic events, explaining his origin and destination to an old man in Gibeah who would eventually offer him shelter.

Context of Judges 19:18

This verse is part of a larger story that begins with a Levite from Mount Ephraim and his concubine. They had traveled to Bethlehem-Judah (the concubine's home) to reconcile after she had left him. On their return journey, as evening approached, they sought lodging in the Benjamite city of Gibeah. The Levite's statement highlights his vulnerable position: a traveler, a Levite (a man of God's service), seeking shelter in a city where hospitality, a cornerstone of ancient Near Eastern culture, was conspicuously absent. This lack of welcome sets the stage for the horrific acts of violence and depravity that unfold later in the chapter, ultimately leading to a civil war in Israel. The era of Judges was characterized by a lack of central authority and widespread moral decline, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25).

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Breakdown of Hospitality: The most immediate theme is the shocking absence of hospitality. In a culture where welcoming strangers was a sacred duty (compare with Abraham's hospitality in Genesis 18 or Lot's in Genesis 19), the Levite's difficulty in finding lodging speaks volumes about the spiritual and social decay in Gibeah. This failure to offer sanctuary to a fellow Israelite, especially a Levite, foreshadows the deeper moral rot.
  • The Levite's Identity and Purpose: The speaker identifies himself as being "from thence [Mount Ephraim]" and states he "went to Bethlehemjudah," but is "now going to the house of the LORD." This phrase, "house of the LORD" (Beth Yahweh in Hebrew), most likely refers to the Tabernacle, which was situated at Shiloh during much of the Judges period. His journey emphasizes his religious calling, making the subsequent rejection and violence even more appalling as it targets a man dedicated to God's service.
  • Moral Decline of Israel: This verse serves as a stark illustration of the spiritual and moral condition of Israel during the Judges period. The indifference and hostility shown towards the Levite and his company underscore the pervasive lawlessness and lack of compassion that had gripped the nation, far removed from the covenant ideals.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "house of the LORD" (Hebrew: Beth Yahweh) refers to the central sanctuary of Israel, the Tabernacle. At this time, it was located in Shiloh, a significant religious center in the territory of Ephraim. The Levite, a member of the priestly tribe, was on his way to fulfill his duties or obligations there, making the lack of hospitality he encounters particularly egregious as it is directed at someone associated with divine service.

Practical Application

Judges 19:18, though set in a dark chapter of Israel's history, carries timeless lessons for believers today:

  • The Importance of Hospitality: The narrative serves as a stark warning about the consequences of neglecting hospitality. The New Testament frequently exhorts believers to practice hospitality (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2). It is a tangible expression of love and care for others, reflecting God's own welcoming nature.
  • Spiritual Decay and Its Manifestations: The events of Judges 19 illustrate how spiritual decline can manifest in social breakdown, violence, and a disregard for human dignity. This reminds us of the importance of adhering to God's moral standards and fostering a community rooted in love and justice.
  • Vulnerability of Travelers and Strangers: The verse highlights the vulnerability of those away from home. It calls us to consider how we treat strangers and those in need, reflecting Christ's teaching about caring for "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40).
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Judges 18:31

    And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.

  • John 15:6

    If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.

  • 1 Samuel 1:3

    And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, [were] there.

  • Psalms 26:9

    Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

  • Joshua 18:1

    ¶ And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

  • Judges 20:18

    ¶ And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah [shall go up] first.

  • 1 Samuel 1:7

    And [as] he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
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