Judges 19:16 (KJV)

What does Judges 19:16 mean?

Judges 19:16 describes how an old man, who was originally from the hill country of Ephraim but now living in Gibeah, returned from working in the fields at evening and noticed travelers in the town square. The verse also points out that the local people of Gibeah were Benjamites, highlighting a difference between the old man and the townspeople.

The scene takes place as night falls in Gibeah, where a Levite, his concubine, and his servant are seeking shelter. The old man, himself a sojourner from Ephraim, stands out among the Benjamite residents. This detail sets up the tension in the story, as the old man’s hospitality will soon contrast with the actions of the local men.

The Hebrew behind Judges 19:16

• The word "sojourned" (גּוּר, gur) means to live as a temporary resident or foreigner. This highlights that the old man was not a native of Gibeah but was living there as an outsider, which helps explain his compassion for the traveling Levite.
• "Men" (אֲנָשִׁים, anashim) and "Benjamites" (בֶּן־יְמִינִי, Binyamini) clarify that the people of the place were from the tribe of Benjamin, setting up a distinction between the old man and the rest of the town’s inhabitants.
• "Work" (מְלָאכָה, melakhah) and "field" (שָׂדֶה, sadeh) show that the old man was engaged in ordinary agricultural labor, emphasizing his humble, everyday life.

Why Judges 19:16 matters

• The verse draws attention to the old man's outsider status in Gibeah, which becomes important as he offers hospitality when the native Benjamites do not.
• By specifying the tribal identities, the verse sets up the conflict that will unfold between the Levite’s group and the men of Gibeah, making the story’s later events more understandable.
• The mention of evening and returning from the fields paints a realistic picture of daily life in ancient Israel and helps the reader feel the vulnerability of travelers at night.