Judges 19:25

But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.

But the men {H582} would {H14} not hearken {H8085} to him: so the man {H376} took {H2388} his concubine {H6370}, and brought {H3318} her forth {H2351} unto them; and they knew {H3045} her, and abused {H5953} her all the night {H3915} until the morning {H1242}: and when the day {H7837} began to spring {H5927}, they let her go {H7971}.

However, the men wouldn't listen to him; so the man took hold of his concubine and brought her out to them. They raped her and abused her all night long; only at dawn did they let her go.

But the men would not listen to him. So the Levite took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go.

But the men would not hearken to him: so the man laid hold on his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.

Commentary

Commentary on Judges 19:25

Judges 19:25 describes one of the most disturbing and tragic events in the Old Testament, illustrating the profound moral decay in Israel during the period when "there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6, Judges 21:25).

Context

This verse is the horrifying climax of a narrative involving a Levite and his concubine traveling through the territory of Benjamin, specifically the city of Gibeah. After being initially refused lodging, an old man offers them hospitality. However, the men of Gibeah, described in the preceding verse as "sons of Belial" (Judges 19:22), surround the house, demanding that the Levite be brought out for them to "know" himโ€”a euphemism for sexual assault. In a desperate and shocking attempt to protect his guest and uphold the ancient laws of hospitality, the old man offers his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine instead (Judges 19:24). Verse 25 reveals the devastating outcome of this offer.

Key Themes

  • Extreme Depravity and Moral Collapse: This passage vividly portrays the depths of human wickedness and the complete breakdown of moral order in Israel. The actions of the men of Gibeah, who engage in gang rape and abuse, demonstrate a shocking disregard for human dignity, law, and God's commands.
  • Violation of Hospitality: The sacred ancient custom of hospitality, a cornerstone of Middle Eastern culture, is utterly perverted and violated. Instead of protection, the guests face extreme danger and violence.
  • Objectification and Violence Against Women: The concubine is treated as property, first offered by the old man and then brutally subjected to sexual violence. Her suffering highlights the vulnerability and devaluation of women in this period of lawlessness. The text does not shy away from the brutality, emphasizing the severity of the crime.
  • Consequences of Lawlessness: The events in Gibeah are a stark illustration of the chaos and horror that ensue when there is no governing authority and people abandon divine and moral principles, doing "that which was right in his own eyes." This incident directly leads to the civil war recounted in Judges chapter 20.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "they knew her" uses the Hebrew verb yada' (ื™ึธื“ึทืข), which means "to know." While often used for intimate, consensual knowledge (as in a husband "knowing" his wife), in this context, it is a clear euphemism for sexual intercourse, here forced and violent. The subsequent phrase "and abused her" comes from the Hebrew verb 'alal (ืขึธืœึทืœ), which implies ill-treatment, humiliation, and violent assault, emphasizing the brutal nature of the act.

Practical Application

While a difficult passage, Judges 19:25 serves several critical purposes for readers today:

  • It stands as a stark warning against unchecked sin, moral relativism, and the abandonment of God's laws. It illustrates the destructive consequences when a society loses its moral compass.
  • It underscores the importance of justice and the protection of the vulnerable, especially those who are marginalized or objectified. The Bible, even in its darkest passages, implicitly cries out for justice and accountability.
  • It reminds us that the Bible does not gloss over the depravity of humanity but honestly portrays it, highlighting the desperate need for a Savior and the establishment of God's righteous kingdom. The contrast between this chaos and the order established by God's covenant is profound.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 4:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 5:7 (2 votes)

    How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by [them that are] no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

  • Jeremiah 5:8 (2 votes)

    They were [as] fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.

  • Hosea 10:9 (2 votes)

    ยถ O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.

  • Ephesians 4:19 (2 votes)

    Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

  • Hosea 7:4 (2 votes)

    They [are] all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, [who] ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.

  • Hosea 7:7 (2 votes)

    They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: [there is] none among them that calleth unto me.