And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.

JUDGES 19:11KJV
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Judges 19:11 (KJV)

What does Judges 19:11 mean?

Judges 19:11 describes how, as night was approaching, the servant traveling with his master suggested they stop and spend the night in the city of the Jebusites, called Jebus, instead of continuing their journey. The verse shows a moment of decision during their travels, with the servant urging his master to seek shelter before it gets too late.

In this scene, the master is a Levite traveling with his servant and concubine. They are nearing Jebus (later known as Jerusalem), and the day is almost over. The servant, recognizing the dangers of traveling after dark, proposes they stay in the nearby city, which at this time is not an Israelite city but inhabited by the Jebusites. This sets up the tension for what follows in the story, as the master must decide whether to trust the hospitality of a foreign city or continue on.

The Hebrew behind Judges 19:11

  • יְבוּס (Yebus, "Jebus"): This is the ancient name for Jerusalem before it was taken by the Israelites. The mention of Jebus highlights that this was not yet an Israelite city, which adds to the tension of the decision.
  • נַעַר (naʿar, "servant"): The word often refers to a young man or servant. Here, it shows the servant’s role in advising his master, which is notable since servants did not always speak up in such situations.
  • רַב (rav, "far") and אָרַךְ (ʾarakh, "spent"): Together, these words describe that the day was "far spent," meaning it was getting late, emphasizing the urgency of finding shelter before nightfall.
  • לִין (lin, "lodge"): This word means to spend the night or stay somewhere temporarily, pointing to the practical concern of needing a safe place to rest.

Why Judges 19:11 matters

  • Judges 19:11 highlights the practical dangers of travel in ancient times, especially as night approached, and the importance of hospitality and safety.
  • The verse sets up a key decision that will shape the tragic events to follow, as the Levite must choose between staying among foreigners or pressing on to an Israelite town.
  • Understanding that Jebus was not yet under Israelite control helps explain the Levite’s hesitation and the cultural boundaries present in the story.

Where else these words appear

“Jebus” Hebrew H2982 · used in 4 verses

  • Judges 19:10 But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.

“spent” Hebrew H7286 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:32 The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.
  • Psalms 144:2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
  • Isaiah 45:1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

“Jebusites” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 24:18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

“lodge” Hebrew H3885 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 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.
  • Joshua 3:1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
  • Job 17:2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?