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 19:11KJVWhat 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.