Judges 19
1599 Geneva Bible
19 1 A Levite’s wife being an harlot forsook her husband, and he took her again. 25 At Gibeah she was most villainously abused to the death. 29 The Levite cutteth her in pieces, and sendeth her to the twelve tribes.
1 Also in those days, when there was no king in Israel, a certain Levite dwelt on the side of mount Ephraim, and took to wife a (A)concubine out of Bethlehem Judah,
2 And his concubine played the whore [a]there, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Bethlehem Judah, and there continued the space of four months.
3 And her husband arose and went after her, to speak [b]friendly unto her, and to bring her again: he had also his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him unto her father’s house, and when the young woman’s father saw him, he rejoiced [c]of his coming.
4 And his father-in-law, the young woman’s father received him: and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.
5 ¶ And when the fourth day came, they arose early in the morning, and [d]he prepared to depart: then the young woman’s father said unto his son-in-law, [e]Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and then go your way.
6 So they sat down and did eat and drink, both of them together. And the [f]young woman’s father said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.
7 And when the man rose up to depart, his father-in-law [g]was earnest: therefore he returned, and lodged there.
8 And he arose up early the fifth day to depart, and the young woman’s father said, [h]Comfort thine heart, I pray thee: and they tarried until after midday, and they both did eat.
9 Afterward when the man arose to depart with his concubine and his servant, his father-in-law, the young woman’s father said unto him, Behold now, the day [i]draweth toward even: I pray you, tarry all night: behold, the [j]sun goeth to rest: lodge here, that thine heart may be merry, and tomorrow get you early upon your way, and go to the [k]tent.
10 But the man would not tarry, but arose, and departed, and came over against Jebus, (which is Jerusalem) and his two asses laden, and his concubine were with him.
11 When they were near Jebus, the day [l]was sore spent, and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn unto this city of the Jebusites, and lodge all night there.
12 And his master answered him, [m]We will not turn into the city of strangers that are not of the children of Israel, but we will go forth to Gibeah.
13 And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places, that we may lodge in Gibeah or in Ramah.
14 So they went forward upon their way, and the Sun went down upon them near to Gibeah, which is in Benjamin.
15 ¶ Then they turned thither to go in and lodge in Gibeah: and when he came, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that [n]took them into his house to lodging.
16 And behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, and the man was of mount Ephraim, but dwelt in Gibeah: and the men of the place were the children of [o]Jemini.
17 And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a [p]wayfaring man in the streets of the city: then this old man said, Whither goest thou, and whence camest thou?
18 And he answered him, We came from Bethlehem Judah, unto the side of mount Ephraim: from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehem Judah, and go now to the [q]house of the Lord: and no man receiveth me to house,
19 Although we have straw and provender for our asses, and also bread and wine for me and thine handmaid, and for the boy that is with thy servant: we lack nothing.
20 And the old man said, [r]Peace be with thee: as for all that thou lackest, shalt thou find with me: only abide not in the street all night.
21 ¶ So he brought him into his house, and gave fodder unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.
22 And as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, [s]wicked men beset the house round about, and [t]smote at the door, and spake to this old man the master of the house, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house that we may know him.
23 And (B)this man the master of the house went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay my brethren, do not so wickedly, I pray you, seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this villainy.
24 Behold, here is my daughter, a virgin, and his concubine: them will I bring out now, [u]and humble them, and do with them what seemeth you good: but to this man do not this villainy.
25 But the men would not hearken to him: therefore the man took his concubine, and brought her out unto them: and they knew her and abused her all the night unto the morning and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
26 So the woman came in the dawning of the day, and [v]fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till the light day.
27 And her [w]lord arose in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way, and behold, the woman his concubine was [x]dead at the door of the house, and her hands lay upon the threshold.
28 And he said unto her, up, and let us go: but she answered not. Then he took her up upon the ass, and the man rose up, and went unto his [y]place.
29 And when he was come to his house, he took a knife and laid hand on his concubine, and divided her in pieces with her bones into twelve parts, and sent her through all quarters of Israel.
30 And all that saw it, said, There was no [z]such thing done or seen since the time that the children of Israel came up from the land of Egypt unto this day: consider the matter, consult and give sentence.
Footnotes
- Judges 19:2 Hebrew, besides him, to wit, with others.
- Judges 19:3 Hebrew, to her heart.
- Judges 19:3 Or, at his meeting.
- Judges 19:5 Hebrew, rose up.
- Judges 19:5 Or, strengthen.
- Judges 19:6 That is, his concubine’s father.
- Judges 19:7 Or, compelled him.
- Judges 19:8 Meaning, that he should refresh himself with meat, as verse 5.
- Judges 19:9 Hebrew, is weak.
- Judges 19:9 Or, the day lodgeth.
- Judges 19:9 To wit, to the town or city where he dwelt.
- Judges 19:11 Or, went down.
- Judges 19:12 Though in these days there were most horrible corruptions, yet very necessity could not compel them, to have to do with them that professed not the true God.
- Judges 19:15 Or gathered them.
- Judges 19:16 That is, of the tribe of Benjamin.
- Judges 19:17 Or, a man walking.
- Judges 19:18 To Shiloh of Mizpah where the Ark was.
- Judges 19:20 Or, be of good comfort.
- Judges 19:22 Hebrew, men of Belial, that is, given to all wickedness.
- Judges 19:22 To the intent they might break it.
- Judges 19:24 That is, abuse them, as Gen. 19:8.
- Judges 19:26 She fell down dead, as verse 27.
- Judges 19:27 Or, husband.
- Judges 19:27 Or, fallen.
- Judges 19:28 Meaning, home unto mount Ephraim.
- Judges 19:30 For this was like the sin of Sodom for the which God rained down fire and brimstone from heaven.
Judges 19
English Standard Version
A Levite and His Concubine
19 In those days, (A)when there was no king in Israel, a certain Levite was sojourning in the remote parts of (B)the hill country of Ephraim, who took to himself a concubine from (C)Bethlehem in Judah. 2 And his concubine was unfaithful to[a] him, and she went away from him to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah, and was there some four months. 3 Then her husband arose and went after her, to speak kindly to her and bring her back. He had with him his servant and a couple of donkeys. And she brought him into her father's house. And when the girl's father saw him, he came with joy to meet him. 4 And his father-in-law, the girl's father, made him stay, and he remained with him three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there. 5 And on the fourth day they arose early in the morning, and he prepared to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law, (D)“Strengthen your heart with a morsel of bread, and after that you may go.” 6 So the two of them sat and ate and drank together. And the girl's father said to the man, “Be pleased to spend the night, and (E)let your heart be merry.” 7 And when the man rose up to go, his father-in-law pressed him, till he spent the night there again. 8 And on the fifth day he arose early in the morning to depart. And the girl's father said, (F)“Strengthen your heart and wait until the day declines.” So they ate, both of them. 9 And when the man and his concubine and his servant rose up to depart, his father-in-law, the girl's father, said to him, “Behold, now the day has waned toward evening. Please, spend the night. Behold, the day draws to its close. Lodge here and let your heart be merry, and tomorrow you shall arise early in the morning for your journey, and go home.”
10 But the man would not spend the night. He rose up and departed and arrived opposite (G)Jebus (that is, Jerusalem). He had with him a couple of saddled donkeys, and his concubine was with him. 11 When they were near Jebus, the day was nearly over, and the servant said to his master, “Come now, let us turn aside to this city of the Jebusites and spend the night in it.” 12 And his master said to him, “We will not turn aside into the city of foreigners, who do not belong to the people of Israel, but we will pass on to (H)Gibeah.” 13 And he said to his young man, “Come and let us draw near to one of these places and spend the night at Gibeah or at (I)Ramah.” 14 So they passed on and went their way. And the sun went down on them near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin, 15 and they turned aside there, to go in and spend the night at Gibeah. And he went in and sat down in the open square of the city, (J)for no one took them into his house to spend the night.
16 And behold, an old man was coming from his work in the field at evening. The man was from (K)the hill country of Ephraim, and he was sojourning in Gibeah. (L)The men of the place were Benjaminites. 17 And he lifted up his eyes and saw the traveler in the open square of the city. And the old man said, “Where are you going? And where do you come from?” 18 And he said to him, “We are passing from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim, from which I come. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going (M)to the house of the Lord,[b] (N)but no one has taken me into his house. 19 We have straw and feed for our donkeys, with bread and wine for me and your female servant and the young man with your servants. (O)There is no lack of anything.” 20 And the old man said, (P)“Peace be to you; I will care for all your wants. (Q)Only, do not spend the night in the square.” 21 So he brought him into his house and gave the donkeys feed. (R)And they washed their feet, and ate and drank.
Gibeah's Crime
22 As they were (S)making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, (T)surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him.” 23 And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, (U)do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, (V)do not do this vile thing. 24 (W)Behold, here are my virgin daughter and his concubine. Let me bring them out now. (X)Violate them and do with them what seems good to you, but against this man (Y)do not do this outrageous thing.” 25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. 26 And as morning appeared, the woman came and fell down at the door of the man's house where her master was, until it was light.
27 And her master rose up in the morning, and when he opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way, behold, there was his concubine lying at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold. 28 He said to her, “Get up, let us be going.” (Z)But there was no answer. Then he put her on the donkey, and the man rose up and went away to his home. 29 And when he entered his house, he took a knife, and taking hold of his concubine he (AA)divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel. 30 (AB)And all who saw it said, “Such a thing has never happened or been seen from the day that the people of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt until this day; (AC)consider it, take counsel, and speak.”
Footnotes
- Judges 19:2 Septuagint, Old Latin became angry with
- Judges 19:18 Septuagint my home; compare verse 29
Judges 19
World English Bible
19 In those days, when there was no king in Israel, there was a certain Levite living on the farther side of the hill country of Ephraim, who took for himself a concubine out of Bethlehem Judah. 2 His concubine played the prostitute against him, and went away from him to her father’s house to Bethlehem Judah, and was there for four months. 3 Her husband arose and went after her to speak kindly to her, to bring her again, having his servant with him and a couple of donkeys. She brought him into her father’s house; and when the father of the young lady saw him, he rejoiced to meet him. 4 His father-in-law, the young lady’s father, kept him there; and he stayed with him three days. So they ate and drank, and stayed there.
5 On the fourth day, they got up early in the morning, and he rose up to depart. The young lady’s father said to his son-in-law, “Strengthen your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward you shall go your way.” 6 So they sat down, ate, and drank, both of them together. Then the young lady’s father said to the man, “Please be pleased to stay all night, and let your heart be merry.” 7 The man rose up to depart; but his father-in-law urged him, and he stayed there again. 8 He arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart; and the young lady’s father said, “Please strengthen your heart and stay until the day declines;” and they both ate.
9 When the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father-in-law, the young lady’s father, said to him, “Behold, now the day draws toward evening, please stay all night. Behold, the day is ending. Stay here, that your heart may be merry; and tomorrow go on your way early, that you may go home.” 10 But the man wouldn’t stay that night, but he rose up and went near Jebus (also called Jerusalem). With him were a couple of saddled donkeys. His concubine also was with him.
11 When they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said to his master, “Please come and let’s enter into this city of the Jebusites, and stay in it.”
12 His master said to him, “We won’t enter into the city of a foreigner that is not of the children of Israel; but we will pass over to Gibeah.” 13 He said to his servant, “Come and let’s draw near to one of these places; and we will lodge in Gibeah, or in Ramah.” 14 So they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down on them near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin. 15 They went over there, to go in to stay in Gibeah. He went in, and sat down in the street of the city; for there was no one who took them into his house to stay.
16 Behold, an old man came from his work out of the field at evening. Now the man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he lived in Gibeah; but the men of the place were Benjamites. 17 He lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”
18 He said to him, “We are passing from Bethlehem Judah to the farther side of the hill country of Ephraim. I am from there, and I went to Bethlehem Judah. I am going to Yahweh’s house; and there is no one who has taken me into his house. 19 Yet there is both straw and feed for our donkeys; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for your servant, and for the young man who is with your servants. There is no lack of anything.”
20 The old man said, “Peace be to you! Just let me supply all your needs, but don’t sleep in the street.” 21 So he brought him into his house, and gave the donkeys fodder. Then they washed their feet, and ate and drank. 22 As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain wicked fellows, surrounded the house, beating at the door; and they spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, “Bring out the man who came into your house, that we can have sex with him!”
23 The man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, “No, my brothers, please don’t act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, don’t do this folly. 24 Behold, here is my virgin daughter and his concubine. I will bring them out now. Humble them, and do with them what seems good to you; but to this man don’t do any such folly.”
25 But the men wouldn’t listen to him; so the man grabbed his concubine, and brought her out to them; and they had sex with her, and abused her all night until the morning. When the day began to dawn, they let her go. 26 Then the woman came in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, until it was light. 27 Her lord rose up in the morning and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way; and behold, the woman his concubine had fallen down at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold.
28 He said to her, “Get up, and let’s get going!” but no one answered. Then he took her up on the donkey; and the man rose up, and went to his place.
29 When he had come into his house, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, and divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the borders of Israel. 30 It was so, that all who saw it said, “Such a deed has not been done or seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt to this day! Consider it, take counsel, and speak.”
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