And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.

JUDGES 19:3KJV
truelightbible.com

Judges 19:3 (KJV)

What does Judges 19:3 mean?

Judges 19:3 describes how the Levite, after his concubine left him, decided to go after her and speak kindly to persuade her to return. He took his servant and two donkeys, and when he arrived, her father welcomed him with joy.

The verse is set in a time when a Levite’s concubine had left him and returned to her father’s house in Bethlehem. The Levite, wanting to reconcile, traveled there with a servant and supplies. The father’s joyful reaction to seeing the Levite hints at a desire for peace and restoration within the family, setting up the hospitality and events that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Judges 19:3

  • The word translated "speak friendly" uses לֵב (lev, "heart"), often understood as "to speak to her heart," meaning to speak kindly or comfortingly, not just in a casual or polite way.
  • The term for "rejoiced" is שָׂמַח (samach), which carries the sense of genuine gladness or delight, showing the father’s warm welcome and perhaps relief at the Levite’s arrival.

Why Judges 19:3 matters

  • The verse highlights the Levite’s intention to restore his relationship with his concubine, showing a personal effort at reconciliation rather than anger or rejection.
  • The father’s enthusiastic welcome sets a tone of hospitality and goodwill, which contrasts sharply with the tragic events that will unfold later in the chapter.
  • Understanding the cultural emphasis on family reconciliation and hospitality helps clarify the motivations and social expectations at play in this story.