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.