Judges 19:27
*“When her master arose in the morning and opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way, then behold, his concubine was lying at the doorway of the house with her hands on the threshold.”* (v.27)
In this tragic scene, the Levite wakes at daybreak and steps outside to depart, only to discover his concubine sprawled at the entrance. The phrase *with her hands on the threshold* underscores the pitiful nature of her suffering. She had been left unprotected and terribly abused by a wicked mob in Gibeah, a Benjamite city located in the south of Israel and notorious for this grievous act (Judges 19:25; Hosea 10:9 citeturn0file4). Her posture at the doorway suggests she was desperately trying to return to safety after being mistreated throughout the night.
The city of Gibeah lay in the tribal territory of Benjamin, which was situated between Judah and Ephraim. Despite being Israelite territory, Gibeah was the setting for one of the darkest episodes in the entire period of the judges, a time marked by repeated disobedience to God’s law and the notion that everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). The Levite, having taken refuge within a resident’s home, expected the Israelite norm of hospitality, but instead discovered a depth of immoral behavior normally associated with idolatrous nations (Genesis 19:4-8; Judges 19:22-26 citeturn0file2).
Finding his concubine on the threshold vividly showed the brutal cost of a society spiraling away from God. Where there should have been compassion and neighborly care, there was unbridled violence. By placing this narrative in Scripture, the passage reveals the alarming danger of drifting from God’s commandments and embracing selfish whims, mirroring how Israel, throughout the era of the judges, repeatedly turned from God and fell into chaos.
This verse shows in stark terms the depravity that occurs when a people forsake godly principles.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Genesis 19:34-38 meaning. The next day, the older sister convinced the younger sister to do what she had done the night before. Again, Lot was given too much wine and the younger daughter had sexual relations with him. Lot was unaware of this event also.
- Romans 3:19-20 meaning. Paul is pointing out that no one can obey the law perfectly; the law gives us knowledge of sin and makes us accountable to God.
- Judges 3:15-25 meaning. In response to Israel’s cry for help, God raises up Ehud, a Benjamite, as a deliverer. Using a clever and daring strategy, Ehud assassinates Eglon, the oppressive king of Moab, motivating Israel’s return to the Lord.