Judges 19:8

And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.

And he arose early ^{H7925} in the morning ^{H1242} on the fifth ^{H2549} day ^{H3117} to depart ^{H3212}: and the damsel's ^{H5291} father ^{H1} said ^{H559}, Comfort ^{H5582} thine heart ^{H3824}, I pray thee. And they tarried ^{H4102} until afternoon ^{H3117}^{H5186}, and they did eat ^{H398} both ^{H8147} of them.

The morning of the fifth day, he got up early to leave; but the girl's father said, "Why don't you have something to eat, and leave this afternoon?" So the two men ate.

On the fifth day, he got up early in the morning to depart, but the girl’s father said, “Please refresh your heart.” So they waited until late afternoon and the two of them ate.

And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart; and the damsel’s father said, Strengthen thy heart, I pray thee, and tarry ye until the day declineth; and they did eat, both of them.

Judges 19:8 continues the unsettling narrative of the Levite and his concubine, highlighting a prolonged stay at the concubine's father's house in Bethlehem of Judah. This verse, seemingly innocuous, plays a crucial role in building the tension before the tragic events that unfold.

Context

This verse describes the fourth instance of the Levite attempting to depart, only to be persuaded by his father-in-law to stay longer. From Judges 19:4 onwards, the father's hospitality, though initially commendable, becomes excessive and ultimately delays the Levite's journey significantly. What began as a three-day visit has now stretched into the "fifth day," with the father still urging them to "Comfort thine heart," emphasizing feasting and enjoyment over timely departure. This prolonged stay sets the stage for their ill-fated journey through the Benjamite territory, particularly the city of Gibeah, where they would face unimaginable horrors.

Key Themes

Excessive Hospitality and Procrastination: The father's repeated insistence on staying, coupled with the Levite's acquiescence, underscores a theme of delaying departure. This procrastination has dire consequences, as their journey begins late in the day, leading them to seek lodging in a dangerous place.
The Calm Before the Storm: Judges 19:8 presents a scene of continued feasting and apparent merriment, a stark contrast to the depravity and violence that immediately follows in the chapter. It builds suspense, as the reader knows the Levite must eventually leave, and the delay only increases the peril of their eventual travel.
Moral Decline of the Era: This narrative is set in the period of the Judges, a time characterized by moral decay and lawlessness, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The seemingly innocent delay here is part of a larger story that reveals the depths of Israel's spiritual and societal breakdown.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Comfort thine heart" translates from the Hebrew samach libbeka (שמח לבבך), which literally means "make your heart glad" or "rejoice your heart." It implies more than just comfort; it suggests enjoyment, feasting, and being merry. This highlights the father's desire for his guests to fully indulge in the festivities, even at the expense of their travel plans. It speaks to a cultural emphasis on hospitality that, in this instance, became counterproductive and ultimately tragic.

Practical Application

While the father's initial hospitality was a virtue, its excess in this narrative serves as a cautionary tale. This verse subtly reminds us of the importance of discernment and setting boundaries, even in good things. Procrastination, even when fueled by pleasantries, can lead to unforeseen and dangerous circumstances. The story of the Levite and his concubine, beginning with these prolonged delays, warns against a lack of clear purpose and the dangers of compromising one's obligations or safety for temporary pleasure. It underscores the profound spiritual and moral decline that marked the period of Judges, a warning against societal drift away from God's standards.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.