Judges 19:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And the old {H2205} man {H376} said {H559}, Peace {H7965} be with thee; howsoever {H7535} let all thy wants {H4270} lie upon me; only lodge {H3885} not in the street {H7339}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The old man said, "You're welcome to stay with me. I'll take care of anything you lack; just don't spend the night out in the open."

Berean Standard Bible

“Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 19:20 presents a striking moment of traditional hospitality offered by an old man to a traveling Levite and his company, who are stranded in the hostile city of Gibeah. This verse, set against the backdrop of Israel's profound moral decline, highlights a solitary act of compassion and provision, where the host pledges to bear all the guests' needs, urging them to avoid the dangers of lodging in the public street. It serves as a stark contrast to the surrounding depravity and foreshadows the horrific events that immediately follow, emphasizing the vulnerability of the unhoused and the importance of ancient Near Eastern customs of welcome.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 19 begins a deeply disturbing narrative, often considered one of the darkest in the Old Testament, chronicling the moral abyss into which Israel had fallen. The chapter opens with a Levite from the hill country of Ephraim, his concubine, and his servant embarking on a journey from Bethlehem back to his home. Their journey is interrupted as night falls when they reach Gibeah, a city of the tribe of Benjamin. Despite the expectation of hospitality in ancient Near Eastern culture, no one initially offers them lodging in the public square, a grave breach of social custom. This lack of welcome immediately signals the moral decay of Gibeah. It is only after waiting in the street that an old Ephraimite man, himself a sojourner in Gibeah, steps forward to offer them refuge, setting the stage for the horrific events of the night and the subsequent civil war. This verse, therefore, is a brief glimmer of righteousness before an explosion of wickedness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (c. 1375–1050 BC) was characterized by a lack of central authority, as articulated in the repeated refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel") and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Moral Chaos of the Judges Period")). This era saw a significant decline in adherence to the Mosaic Law and a rise in idolatry and social chaos. Hospitality was a sacred and non-negotiable cultural norm in the ancient Near East, crucial for the survival of travelers in a world without inns. To refuse lodging to a stranger, especially a fellow Israelite, was a profound offense, signaling a breakdown of communal bonds and moral order. Gibeah, a city within the tribal territory of Benjamin, is portrayed here as a place where these fundamental societal values have eroded, making the old man's act of hospitality all the more exceptional and poignant.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 19:20 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **hospitality and its perversion**. The old man's genuine offer of shelter and provision stands in stark contrast to the city's initial indifference and subsequent violent rejection of the Levite's company. This sets up a powerful juxtaposition between righteous individual action and collective societal depravity, echoing the earlier account of Lot's hospitality in Sodom ([Genesis 19:1-11](/genesis/19-1 "Genesis 19:1-11 - Lot's Hospitality in Sodom")). Secondly, the verse underscores the **vulnerability of the outsider and the unhoused**. The Levite and his company are at the mercy of strangers, and the old man's concern for them not lodging in the street emphasizes the dangers faced by those without shelter in a lawless society. Finally, this act of kindness serves as a **catalyst for the unfolding tragedy**, as the Levite's acceptance of the old man's offer leads directly to the horrific events that ignite the tribal war, ultimately illustrating the depths of Israel's moral decay when "every man did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Moral Anarchy")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Peace (Hebrew, _shalom'_):** While commonly translated as "peace," *shalom* (שָׁלוֹם) in this context, and throughout the Old Testament, carries a much richer and more comprehensive meaning than merely the absence of conflict. It denotes wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, security, health, and flourishing in every aspect of life—physical, spiritual, and communal. When the old man says "Peace be with thee," he is not merely offering a greeting but expressing a profound wish for the Levite's holistic welfare, safety, and provision, encompassing all his needs for the night and beyond. This profound wish stands in stark contrast to the profound lack of *shalom* that will soon engulf the city.
* **Wants (Hebrew, _maḥsor'_):** The word *maḥsor* (מַחְסוֹר) literally means "lack," "need," or "deficiency." The phrase "let all thy wants [lie] upon me" (כָּל־מַחְסוֹרְךָ עָלָי) is a powerful idiom of complete and unconditional hospitality. It signifies that the host assumes full responsibility for meeting every single need of the guest, from food and drink to shelter, security, and any other provision required for their comfort and safety. This pledge goes beyond mere politeness; it is a solemn vow of comprehensive care, demonstrating the old man's radical generosity and adherence to the highest standards of ancient Near Eastern hospitality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the old man said, Peace [be] with thee":** This opening phrase establishes the benevolent intent of the old man, an Ephraimite sojourning in Gibeah, who is the sole individual to offer the stranded travelers shelter. His greeting, rooted in the comprehensive concept of *shalom*, expresses a deep desire for the well-being, safety, and prosperity of the Levite and his company. It is a traditional, respectful, and genuinely welcoming salutation, immediately setting him apart from the indifferent inhabitants of Gibeah.
* **"howsoever [let] all thy wants [lie] upon me":** This clause is the core of the old man's extraordinary offer of hospitality. It is a pledge of absolute provision, indicating that he will personally assume responsibility for all the needs and deficiencies of his guests. This includes food, drink, shelter, and protection, ensuring that they will lack nothing while under his roof. This level of commitment underscores the sacred nature of hospitality in that culture and highlights the old man's exceptional generosity and moral character in a city devoid of such virtues.
* **"only lodge not in the street":** This final injunction reveals the old man's acute awareness of the dangers inherent in being unsheltered in Gibeah, especially after nightfall. It implies a recognition of the city's moral decay and the potential for harm to those exposed in public spaces. This warning, though seemingly simple, foreshadows the horrific events that are about to unfold, emphasizing the vulnerability of the travelers and the necessity of immediate shelter to avoid the impending depravity of the city's inhabitants.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 19:20 employs several significant literary devices that amplify its meaning and impact. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as the old man's warning "only lodge not in the street" subtly hints at the extreme dangers and moral depravity that will soon be unleashed upon the Levite's concubine, precisely because the city's inhabitants lack the very *shalom* the old man offers. This line creates a sense of impending doom. **Juxtaposition** is powerfully used by contrasting the old man's profound hospitality and concern with the preceding indifference of the Gibeahites and the subsequent heinous acts they commit. This stark contrast highlights the depth of Israel's moral decline. Furthermore, the old man serves as a **Foil** to the wicked men of Gibeah, his individual righteousness and adherence to sacred customs illuminating their collective corruption. His act of kindness is a brief, tragic beacon in the darkness, making the ensuing violence all the more shocking and reprehensible.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 19:20 stands as a poignant testament to the enduring theological importance of hospitality, a virtue deeply embedded in biblical ethics. The old man's selfless act of provision and protection for strangers reflects a divine ideal of care for the vulnerable, echoing God's own covenantal concern for the sojourner, the orphan, and the widow. In a book that repeatedly laments Israel's moral and spiritual apostasy, this verse offers a brief, yet powerful, glimpse of what faithfulness to God's ways looks like in practice—a radical generosity that transcends self-interest and societal decay. It reminds us that true righteousness is often demonstrated through concrete acts of compassion towards those in need, standing in stark contrast to the self-centeredness and violence that characterize the wider narrative of Judges.

* [Genesis 18:1-8](/genesis/18-1 "Abraham's Hospitality to Angels")
* [Romans 12:13](/romans/12-13 "Practicing Christian Hospitality")
* [Hebrews 13:2](/hebrews/13-2 "Do Not Neglect Hospitality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The old man's unsolicited act of hospitality in Judges 19:20 serves as a profound challenge and inspiration for believers today. In a world often marked by indifference, suspicion, and even hostility towards strangers, his radical generosity calls us to re-examine our own posture towards those in need, particularly those who are vulnerable, displaced, or marginalized. His willingness to take "all thy wants upon me" embodies a self-sacrificial love that prioritizes the well-being of others, even at personal cost or inconvenience. This verse compels us to consider how we might extend genuine *shalom*—wholeness, safety, and provision—to those whom society might overlook or reject. It reminds us that acts of compassion, however small, can shine brightest in the darkest of circumstances, reflecting the very heart of God who commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves. True faith is not merely intellectual assent but active, tangible love that seeks to alleviate the burdens of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the old man's act of hospitality challenge my own willingness to extend kindness and provision to strangers or those in need?**
* **In what ways might I be neglecting the "stranger within my gates" (Deuteronomy 10:19) in my own community or sphere of influence?**
* **What are the "dangers of lodging in the street" in our contemporary society, and how can the Church actively work to provide "shelter" and safety for the vulnerable?**

### FAQ
**What does "Peace [be] with thee" signify in this context beyond a simple greeting?**

Answer: In Judges 19:20, "Peace [be] with thee" translates the Hebrew word *shalom* (שָׁלוֹם). While it functions as a greeting, its meaning is far richer and deeper than a mere salutation. *Shalom* encompasses a comprehensive state of well-being, wholeness, security, prosperity, and completeness. When the old man utters this phrase, he is expressing a profound wish for the Levite's holistic welfare—physical safety, emotional tranquility, and the provision of all his needs. It's a desire for the guest to experience a state of flourishing, which stands in stark contrast to the impending chaos and violence that will soon erupt in Gibeah. This greeting is an earnest prayer and an offer of protective care, signaling the old man's benevolent intentions in a morally corrupt environment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 19:20, with its striking portrayal of hospitality amidst depravity, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The old man's radical offer to take "all thy wants upon me" powerfully foreshadows the ultimate act of divine hospitality and substitutionary love demonstrated by Christ. Just as the old man offered shelter and provision to vulnerable sojourners, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fully bore the "wants" and burdens of humanity—our sin, our shame, our spiritual homelessness—upon himself. He became our ultimate host, inviting us into his dwelling place, the Kingdom of God, and providing for our every spiritual need, ensuring we "lodge not in the street" of spiritual desolation. Through his crucifixion, Jesus took upon himself the ultimate vulnerability and exposure, enduring the "street" of Calvary so that we might find true peace and eternal shelter in him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His life was an embodiment of radical hospitality, welcoming outcasts and sinners ([Luke 15:1-2](/luke/15-1 "Luke 15:1-2 - Jesus Welcomes Sinners")), and his death secured for us a permanent dwelling place with God ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place for Us")). Thus, the old man's compassionate act, a rare light in a dark age, points forward to the perfect and all-encompassing hospitality of Christ, who offers us not just a night's lodging, but eternal life and true *shalom* in his presence.

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.