Judges 19:7

KJV

And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the man {H376} rose up {H6965} to depart {H3212}, his father in law {H2859} urged {H6484} him: therefore he lodged {H3885} there again {H7725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The man rose to leave, but his father-in-law pressed him, so he stayed there again.

Berean Standard Bible

The man got up to depart, but his father-in-law persuaded him, so he stayed there that night.

American Standard Version

And the man rose up to depart; but his father-in-law urged him, and he lodged there again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 19:7 marks a critical juncture in the tragic account of the Levite and his concubine, illustrating the persistent and ultimately detrimental hospitality of the concubine's father. This verse describes the third instance where the Levite attempts to depart from Bethlehem-Judah, only to be strongly persuaded by his father-in-law to extend his stay. This repeated delay, seemingly innocuous, directly sets the stage for the horrific events that unfold later in the chapter, underscoring the escalating moral and spiritual decline within Israel during this chaotic period.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 19 opens with a Levite from Ephraim journeying to Bethlehem-Judah to retrieve his concubine, who had returned to her father's house. The narrative immediately establishes a pattern of excessive hospitality from the father-in-law. Verses 4-6 detail his repeated pleas for the Levite to "comfort his heart" and prolong his stay, initially for three days, then for a fourth, and finally a fifth. Each morning, the Levite prepares to leave, only to be convinced to stay until the afternoon. Judges 19:7 specifically highlights the Levite's renewed attempt to depart on the fifth day, but the father-in-law's insistent urging once again prevails, leading to yet another delay. This pattern of procrastination and the Levite's yielding to pressure is crucial, as it forces them to travel late in the day, leading them to seek lodging in the hostile, Benjamite city of Gibeah, rather than a more hospitable Jebusite city, thereby precipitating the chapter's gruesome climax.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Judges is set in a period following the conquest of Canaan but prior to the establishment of the monarchy, characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance. The overarching theme, reiterated in [Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - Everyone Did What Was Right In Their Own Eyes") and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel"), is that "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" because "there was no king in Israel." Hospitality was a deeply ingrained and sacred virtue in ancient Near Eastern culture, often viewed as a moral imperative and a sign of honor. Hosts were expected to provide food, shelter, and protection to travelers, and guests were expected to respect their host's generosity. However, the father-in-law's actions here push the boundaries of this custom, becoming overbearing and manipulative. His insistence, while perhaps rooted in genuine affection or a desire to maintain family ties, ultimately compromises the safety of his guests by delaying their departure into the perilous twilight hours. This incident reflects a broader societal breakdown where even virtuous customs could be distorted or lead to unforeseen dangers due to a lack of moral discernment and divine guidance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the Book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **excessive hospitality and its unintended consequences**. While hospitality was a virtue, the father-in-law's relentless urging becomes a form of manipulation, demonstrating how even good intentions can lead to disastrous outcomes when lacking wisdom. Secondly, the repeated **delay and procrastination** are central. The Levite's inability to assert himself and depart at a prudent hour directly leads to their vulnerability, serving as a stark warning about the dangers of poor timing and indecisiveness. This contrasts sharply with the wisdom often extolled in books like [Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "Proverbs - The Book of Wisdom"). Finally, the entire episode, including this verse, powerfully illustrates the **moral and spiritual decay** prevalent in Israel. The lack of righteous leadership and the widespread disregard for God's law created an environment where hospitality could be abused, personal boundaries ignored, and horrific atrocities committed, emphasizing the desperate need for a righteous king and a return to divine order.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **חָזַק (Hebrew, _chazaq'_):** Translated as "urged him" in the KJV, this verb means "to be strong," "to seize," "to hold fast," "to strengthen," or "to prevail." In this context, it conveys a powerful, almost forceful persuasion, indicating that the father-in-law did not merely suggest but actively compelled the Levite to stay. It implies a tenacious grip or a strong influence that made it difficult for the Levite to refuse, highlighting the father-in-law's dominant role in the interaction and the Levite's passive yielding. This word choice underscores the intensity of the pressure exerted, which ultimately contributed to the fateful delay.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the man rose up to depart":** This phrase indicates the Levite's clear intention to leave, a decision he had made repeatedly over the past few days. It highlights his agency, even if it is repeatedly overridden. This action sets the immediate scene for the conflict of wills that follows.
* **"his father in law urged him":** This is the pivotal action of the verse. The father-in-law, using the strong verb `chazaq`, exerts significant pressure. This urging is not a polite suggestion but a forceful insistence, demonstrating his desire to prolong their stay, possibly out of affection, cultural obligation, or a reluctance to see his daughter leave.
* **"therefore he lodged there again":** This clause reveals the immediate consequence of the father-in-law's urging and the Levite's capitulation. The "therefore" establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship: the urging led directly to another night's delay. This seemingly simple decision to "lodge there again" has profound and tragic implications for the narrative's unfolding events, as it dictates their travel schedule and ultimately their destination.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Judges 19:7 employs several literary devices to heighten its impact. **Repetition** is evident in the recurring pattern of the Levite attempting to leave and the father-in-law urging him to stay, which creates a sense of exasperation and inevitability, emphasizing the Levite's lack of resolve. This repetition also contributes to the **pacing** of the story, deliberately slowing down the narrative before the sudden acceleration into horror, building suspense. There is a strong element of **foreshadowing** as the repeated delays and the Levite's passive yielding to pressure subtly hint at the impending danger and his inability to protect his concubine later. Furthermore, a dark **irony** pervades the scene: the sacred virtue of hospitality, typically a source of safety and blessing in ancient culture, becomes, through its excess and the Levite's poor judgment, the very catalyst for the unfolding catastrophe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 19:7, though a small part of a harrowing account, serves as a poignant illustration of the dangers inherent in human indecision, the subtle yet powerful influence of others, and the profound consequences of neglecting wisdom. The Levite's repeated yielding to his father-in-law's insistent hospitality, however well-intentioned, highlights a failure of discernment and leadership. In a period where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes," this verse demonstrates how even seemingly minor compromises or delays, when compounded, can lead to catastrophic outcomes. The narrative underscores the importance of exercising prudence and standing firm in one's convictions, especially when faced with pressures that could compromise safety or moral integrity. It implicitly calls for a reliance on divine wisdom, which was sorely lacking in this era of Israel's history.

* [Proverbs 27:12](/proverbs/27-12 "Proverbs 27:12 - The Prudent See Danger"): "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished."
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - The Way That Seems Right"): "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14-15 "James 1:14-15 - Desire Leading to Sin"): "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly innocuous delay described in Judges 19:7 holds profound lessons for contemporary life. It challenges us to consider the cumulative impact of small decisions and the subtle ways in which external pressures can derail our best intentions. The Levite's repeated capitulation to his father-in-law's urging serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of discernment and setting healthy boundaries, even within relationships where genuine affection exists. Are we prone to procrastination, or do we allow others' desires to override our own good judgment, especially when prudence dictates a different course of action? This verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of wisdom, to be mindful of timing, and to recognize that while hospitality is a virtue, it must be exercised with discernment, never at the expense of safety or moral integrity. It reminds us that our choices, however minor they may seem at the moment, can have far-reaching and unforeseen consequences, urging us to seek God's guidance in all our comings and goings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do seemingly minor decisions or delays in our lives sometimes lead to significant, unforeseen consequences?**
* **When have I experienced pressure (from others or circumstances) that challenged my better judgment, and how did I respond?**
* **In what ways can a virtue, like hospitality, become excessive or even detrimental if not exercised with wisdom and discernment?**

### FAQ
**Why was the father-in-law so insistent on the Levite staying?**

Answer: The father-in-law's insistence likely stemmed from a combination of factors deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern culture. Firstly, it was a matter of honor and a sacred duty to offer lavish hospitality to guests, especially family. Prolonging a guest's stay was a sign of great respect and affection. Secondly, he may have genuinely enjoyed the company or desired to maintain a closer bond with his daughter and son-in-law, perhaps out of concern for his daughter's well-being given her previous departure. Lastly, there might have been an element of subtle manipulation, a desire to keep his daughter close to him, or simply a lack of awareness regarding the dangers of travel after dark, given the general breakdown of order in Israel described in [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges - The Book of Judges").

**What is the significance of the repeated delays in this chapter?**

Answer: The repeated delays are critically significant for several reasons. Narratively, they heighten the tension and build suspense, drawing the reader's attention to the Levite's lack of resolve and the father-in-law's overbearing nature. Thematically, these delays directly contribute to the timing of the Levite's journey, forcing him and his concubine to travel late in the day. This late departure prevents them from reaching a safer, more established city like Jebus (Jerusalem) and instead leads them to the hostile, morally corrupt city of Gibeah, where the horrific events of the chapter unfold. Thus, the delays are a crucial plot device that underscores the consequences of poor judgment and sets the stage for the ensuing tragedy.

**Does this verse imply the Levite was at fault for what happened later?**

Answer: While Judges 19:7 highlights the Levite's passive yielding to the father-in-law's insistence, which directly contributed to the ill-timed journey, it does not imply he was solely or primarily at fault for the atrocities that followed. The primary culpability for the rape and murder of the concubine lies squarely with the wicked men of Gibeah, who committed the heinous act, and the Benjamite tribe, who later defended them. However, the Levite's repeated lack of decisive action, his poor judgment in choosing Gibeah for lodging, and his subsequent horrific treatment of his concubine do reveal his own moral failings and complicity in the broader societal decay of the Judges period, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dark narrative of Judges 19, with Judges 19:7 as a pivotal moment of fatal delay, starkly illustrates the profound spiritual and moral depravity that pervades humanity when left to its own devices, a time when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." This chaotic era, devoid of a righteous king, cries out for divine intervention and true leadership. In contrast to the Levite's indecision and the father-in-law's misguided insistence, Jesus Christ emerges as the perfect embodiment of wisdom, discernment, and decisive action. He is the true King who perfectly fulfills the need for righteous governance, bringing order to chaos and light to darkness. Where human hospitality can become excessive and lead to danger, Christ offers genuine, life-giving hospitality, inviting all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). His perfect life and atoning sacrifice on the cross address the very sin and moral breakdown so graphically displayed in Judges, offering forgiveness and transformation. He is the Good Shepherd who leads His sheep in paths of righteousness, ensuring their safety and guiding them away from peril, unlike the Levite who failed to protect his charge. Ultimately, the horror of Judges 19 underscores humanity's desperate need for the saving work of Christ, who came to give abundant life where sin had brought death ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life")) and to establish a kingdom of righteousness where all do what is right in the eyes of God, through faith in Him.

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.