And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.
JUDGES 19:13KJVWhat does Judges 19:13 mean?
Judges 19:13 shows a man telling his servant that they should go to a nearby town—either Gibeah or Ramah—to spend the night. The verse is about choosing a safe place to stay as they travel, highlighting their concern for where to lodge.
In this scene, the traveling Levite speaks to his servant while they are on the road in the territory of Benjamin, late in the day. The Levite suggests drawing near to one of the local towns for shelter, showing practical concern for safety and hospitality. The mention of Gibeah and Ramah sets up the next events in the story, as their choice of town will have serious consequences in the following verses.
The Hebrew behind Judges 19:13
- "Come" (יָלַךְ, yalak): This word is often used for setting out on a journey or moving forward, emphasizing the Levite’s decision to keep traveling rather than stop outside.
- "Near" (קָרַב, qarav): The idea is to approach or draw close, showing their intent to enter a town rather than camp in the open, which was considered less safe.
- "Night" (לִין, lin): This word means to lodge or spend the night, pointing to their practical need for shelter and rest, not just passing through.
Why Judges 19:13 matters
- The verse highlights the traveler's concern for safety, which is a key theme in the story, as their choice of lodging leads to the tragic events that follow in Gibeah.
- By naming Gibeah and Ramah, the verse grounds the story in real locations, helping readers understand the geography and the social setting of ancient Israel.
- The Levite’s decision to seek shelter in a town rather than stay outside reflects cultural expectations about hospitality and protection, which become central issues in the narrative.