Judges 19:14 (KJV)

What does Judges 19:14 mean?

Judges 19:14 describes how the travelers continued on their journey until sunset, reaching the area near Gibeah, a town belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. The verse sets the scene for what happens next by marking both their progress and the time of day as they approach this specific location.

In this part of the story, a Levite, his concubine, and his servant are traveling from Bethlehem back to the Levite’s home in the hill country of Ephraim. The verse highlights their decision to keep moving until evening, which is important because arriving at Gibeah at sunset means they will need to find shelter for the night. This detail prepares the reader for the events that will unfold in Gibeah, which become central to the rest of the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Judges 19:14

• "on" (עָבַר, ‘avar): This word means "to pass by" or "to cross over." It emphasizes that the travelers are moving through the land, not stopping until they reach a certain point.
• "sun" (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh): This is the ordinary word for "sun." Mentioning the sun going down stresses the urgency and vulnerability of traveling at dusk in ancient times.
• "down" (בּוֹא, bo): This verb means "to come" or "to go in," but here it is used for the sun "going down," marking the transition from day to night.
• "by" (אֵצֶל, etzel): This word means "beside" or "near." It clarifies that the travelers are not yet in Gibeah, but right next to it, highlighting their proximity to the town.
• "Gibeah" (גִּבְעָה, Giv‘ah): The name means "hill." This place is important in the story because of what will happen there.
• "Benjamin" (בִּנְיָמִין, Binyamin): This specifies the tribal territory, which matters for understanding the relationships and tensions in the story.

Why Judges 19:14 matters

• This verse marks a turning point in the narrative, as arriving at Gibeah at sunset sets up the events that will follow, including the search for hospitality and the crisis that unfolds.
• By specifying Gibeah as belonging to Benjamin, the verse hints at tribal identities and loyalties, which become significant in the conflict that arises later in the chapter.
• The detail about the sun going down underscores the travelers’ vulnerability and the importance of hospitality in ancient Israelite culture, helping the reader understand why finding shelter quickly was so urgent.