Judges 19:15

And they turned aside thither, to go in [and] to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for [there was] no man that took them into his house to lodging.

And they turned aside {H5493} thither, to go in {H935} and to lodge {H3885} in Gibeah {H1390}: and when he went in {H935}, he sat him down {H3427} in a street {H7339} of the city {H5892}: for there was no man {H376} that took {H622} them into his house {H1004} to lodging {H3885}.

There they turned off the road to go and stay in Giv'ah. He went in and sat down in the city's open space, since no one had offered his home for them to spend the night.

They stopped to go in and lodge in Gibeah. The Levite went in and sat down in the city square, but no one would take them into his home for the night.

And they turned aside thither, to go in to lodge in Gibeah: and he went in, and sat him down in the street of the city; for there was no man that took them into his house to lodge.

Commentary

Context of Judges 19:15

Judges 19 unfolds one of the Bible's most disturbing narratives, revealing the profound moral decay of Israel during a period when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6, 21:25). The chapter begins with a Levite, his concubine, and his servant traveling from Bethlehem. As evening approaches, they seek lodging in Gibeah, a city in the tribal territory of Benjamin. Verse 15 highlights a critical turning point: despite the ancient Near Eastern cultural expectation of hospitality, the travelers find no one willing to offer them shelter.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Lack of Hospitality and Moral Decay: The most immediate theme is the shocking absence of hospitality in Gibeah. In ancient Israel, offering shelter to travelers was a sacred duty, often seen as a sign of righteousness and a protection against the dangers of the road. This blatant disregard for a fundamental social and religious custom immediately signals the deep spiritual and moral corruption within Gibeah, a stark contrast to the welcoming attitudes seen in Abraham's encounter with angels in Genesis 18 or Lot's actions in Sodom in Genesis 19.
  • Societal Breakdown: This verse serves as a chilling indicator of the broader societal breakdown in Israel. The failure of the citizens of Gibeah to extend basic human kindness sets the stage for the horrifying events that follow, underscoring a community where divine law and communal responsibility have been utterly abandoned.
  • Foreshadowing of Wickedness: The desolate scene of the Levite sitting in the street, unable to find lodging, powerfully foreshadows the extreme wickedness that will be unleashed upon them by the men of Gibeah, reminiscent of the depravity of Sodom.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "no man that took them into his house to lodging" emphasizes the complete and utter lack of welcome. The Hebrew word for "lodge" (ΧœΧ•ΧŸ, lun) simply means "to spend the night." The starkness of the statement highlights the profound failure of the community to uphold a basic, expected duty. This was not a temporary inconvenience but a direct affront to a deeply ingrained cultural and religious value.

Practical Application

Judges 19:15, while depicting a dark historical moment, offers timeless lessons. It reminds us of the profound importance of hospitality, not just as a social courtesy, but as an expression of love and care for others, especially strangers. The New Testament frequently encourages believers to "distribute to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality" (Romans 12:13) and to "be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2). This verse from Judges serves as a somber warning about the consequences of a society that loses its moral compass and neglects fundamental human kindness and divine commands.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 19:18 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 25:35 (2 votes)

    For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

  • Matthew 25:43 (2 votes)

    I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

  • Genesis 19:2 (2 votes)

    And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

  • Genesis 19:3 (2 votes)

    And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

  • Genesis 18:2 (2 votes)

    And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

  • Genesis 18:8 (2 votes)

    And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set [it] before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.