And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

JUDGES 19:6KJV
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Judges 19:6 (KJV)

What does Judges 19:6 mean?

Judges 19:6 describes a moment when the Levite and his father-in-law sit down together to eat and drink, with the father-in-law urging the Levite to relax, stay the night, and enjoy himself. The verse shows a scene of hospitality and an invitation to linger in comfort and good company.

In this setting, the Levite has come to retrieve his concubine from her father’s house, and her father is speaking to him. The father-in-law encourages the Levite to be "content" and let his "heart be merry," reflecting a desire for extended fellowship and perhaps delaying the Levite’s departure. This verse sets the tone for the following events by highlighting the customs of hospitality and the warmth of their interaction.

The Hebrew behind Judges 19:6

  • "Be content" comes from אָבָה (ʾavah), which often means "to be willing" or "to consent." Here, it carries the sense of urging the Levite to accept the invitation and stay longer, not just to be satisfied but to willingly agree to linger.
  • "Let thine heart be merry" uses יָטַב (yatav), meaning "to be good" or "to be glad." The father-in-law is encouraging the Levite to truly enjoy himself, not just to eat and drink but to feel at ease and happy in his heart.
  • "Together" is יַחְדָּו (yachdav), emphasizing that both men are sharing the meal and time as equals, highlighting the closeness and unity of the moment.

Why Judges 19:6 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the cultural importance of hospitality in ancient Israel, showing that hosts often pressed guests to stay longer and enjoy themselves, which is a key part of the story’s unfolding events.
  • The father-in-law’s repeated urging sets up the delay that leads to the Levite’s later travel at night, which becomes a turning point in the narrative’s tragic events.
  • Understanding the warmth and insistence in the father-in-law’s invitation helps readers see the contrast between this scene of comfort and the dangers that soon follow, deepening the impact of the story’s later developments.

Where else these words appear

“content” Hebrew H2974 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
  • Judges 1:27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
  • 2 Kings 5:23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

“damsel's” 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.

“night” Hebrew H3885 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Joshua 3:1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
  • Job 17:2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

“merry” Hebrew H3190 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Deuteronomy 30:5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
  • Psalms 49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.