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
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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.

Where else these words appear

“couple” Hebrew H6776 · used in 15 verses

  • Judges 19:10 But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.
  • 1 Kings 19:19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
  • Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

“damsel” Hebrew H5291 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 24:14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
  • Deuteronomy 22:27 For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.
  • 1 Kings 1:3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

“asses” Hebrew H2543 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 31:28 And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:
  • 1 Samuel 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.

“meet” Hebrew H7125 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • Judges 6:35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
  • 1 Kings 2:8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.