And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.

JUDGES 19:5KJV
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Judges 19:5 (KJV)

What does Judges 19:5 mean?

Judges 19:5 describes how, on the fourth day of the Levite’s stay, the young woman’s father urges his son-in-law to eat some bread and refresh himself before leaving. The verse shows the father’s hospitality and his desire to delay the Levite’s departure by offering him food and comfort.

In this scene, the Levite is preparing to leave his father-in-law’s house early in the morning after staying several days. The father-in-law, speaking to the Levite (his son-in-law), encourages him to “comfort your heart” with a small meal before setting out. This exchange highlights the customs of hospitality in ancient Israel, where sharing food was a sign of goodwill and relationship.

The Hebrew behind Judges 19:5

  • “Comfort” (נָעַד, na‘ad): This word here means to refresh or strengthen, especially by eating. The father-in-law is not just offering food but encouraging a sense of well-being and rest before travel.
  • “Morsel” (פַּת, pat): This word refers to a small piece or portion, often of bread. The offer is modest, suggesting a quick meal rather than a full feast, which fits the context of someone about to depart.
  • “Afterward” (אַחַר, achar): This word signals that the meal is meant as a brief pause, not a reason to stay longer, though the father-in-law’s repeated invitations in the chapter show a pattern of gentle delay.

Why Judges 19:5 matters

  • This verse helps explain the extended delay in the Levite’s journey, which becomes important for understanding the tragic events that follow in the chapter.
  • The father-in-law’s repeated hospitality sets a tone of warmth and care but also hints at a reluctance to let his daughter and the Levite leave, which shapes the story’s pacing.
  • Understanding the customs of hospitality in this passage clarifies why the Levite stays longer than planned and why food and rest are emphasized before travel.

Where else these words appear

“Comfort” Hebrew H5582 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 18:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
  • Psalms 18:35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
  • Psalms 104:15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.

“morsel” Hebrew H6595 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 18:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
  • 1 Samuel 2:36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
  • Psalms 147:17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

“law” Hebrew H2860 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
  • 1 Samuel 22:14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
  • Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

“fourth” Hebrew H7243 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 1:19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
  • 1 Kings 6:1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.