What does Judges 19:18 mean?
“And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth-lehem-judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Beth-lehem-judah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.” — Judges 19:18
The verse Judges 19:18 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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."
This verse comes from the book of Judges in the Old Testament, which depicts a dark period in Israel's history characterized by moral degeneration, idolatry, and lawlessness. The verse is part of a larger narrative that tells the story of a Levite and his concubine, who encounter various challenges and atrocities during their journey.
The verse speaks to the theme of hospitality and the breakdown of societal norms. The Levite, seeking refuge for himself and his concubine, expresses his frustration at not being received by anyone in the town of Gibeah. This lack of hospitality reflects the moral decay and disregard for the well-being of others that prevailed during this time. The verse also highlights the importance of welcoming and caring for strangers, a recurring theme in the Bible that carries ethical and moral significance.
The context of the verse is important in understanding its significance. The story of the Levite and his concubine takes place in a period when the Israelites were without a king and "everyone did as they saw fit" (Judges 21:25). The lack of centralized authority and the moral relativism that accompanied it led to a breakdown in societal values and a disregard for the well-being of others. In this context, the Levite's plea for hospitality reflects the dire state of the society in which he lived.
The verse also carries symbolic significance. Bethlehemjudah, the starting point of the Levite's journey, is the birthplace of King David, who is considered one of Israel's greatest leaders and a symbol of hope and righteousness. The journey from Bethlehemjudah to the house of the Lord represents a quest for spiritual enlightenment and guidance in the midst of moral darkness. The inability to find hospitality in this journey serves as a metaphor for the moral and spiritual desolation that the Levite encounters along the way.
Overall, Judges 19:18 is a poignant reflection of the moral decay and disregard for hospitality that characterized the period of the Judges. Its themes of societal breakdown, the importance of hospitality, and the quest for spiritual enlightenment make it a rich and thought-provoking verse with enduring relevance. In its broader context, it also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of moral relativism and the importance of upholding ethical values in society.
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Artwork for Judges 19:18
Judges 19:18 - "And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth-lehem-judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Beth-lehem-judah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house."
"And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth-lehem-judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Beth-lehem-judah, but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house." - Judges 19:18
Deuteronomy 19:18 - "And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;"
Judges 18:19 - "And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel?"
"And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;" - Deuteronomy 19:18
Judges 20:19 - "And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah."
Judges 18:18 - "And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye?"
Judges 18:13 - "And they passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah."
Judges 19:19 - "Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing."
Judges 18: Micah’s Influence: A Spiritual Ripple Effect
Luke 10:18-19
Luke 13:18-19
Luke 10:18-19
Luke 10:18-19
Luke 13:18-19
Judges 2:18 - "And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them."
Judges 18:21 - "So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them."
2 Chronicles 19:6 - "And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment."
Exodus 18:26 - "And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves."
Luke 10:18-19
Luke 10:18-19
Luke 10:18-19
Judges 5:18 - "Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field."
Genesis 18-19
2 Chronicles 19:5 - "¶ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,"
Judges 5:19 - "The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money."
Judges 18:20 - "And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people."
Judges 18:8 - "And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?"
Judges 1:18 - "Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof."
Genesis 19-18