The father-in-law’s heartfelt invitation to stay yet again illustrates Israelite hospitality and foreshadows the tragic journey soon to come.
In the midst of a longer narrative describing a Levite’s visit to his father-in-law’s house in Bethlehem, the book of Judges recounts, “So both of them sat down and ate and drank together; and the girl’s father said to the man, ‘Please be willing to spend the night, and let your heart be merry.’” (v.6). By this point in the story, the Levite had planned to depart with his concubine, but her father, a hospitable host eager to delay their departure, repeatedly encouraged them to stay. This event takes place during the era of the judges in Israel’s history, roughly dated between 1380-1050 BC, a tumultuous period when various Israelite leaders (called judges) rose up to deliver and guide the people. The father’s invitation to remain yet another night highlights the ancient Near Eastern importance of hospitality, which placed a high premium on caring for visiting travelers, much like the hospitality ethic mentioned in other biblical accounts.When the verse says, “Please be willing to spend the night, and let your heart be merry,” it reveals the father-in-law’s eagerness to show generosity, urging his guest to linger and find comfort under his roof. In that culture, refusal to host a traveler brought shame, while offering abundant food and drink conferred honor upon the household.Such customs appear again and again in Scripture, for instance in Genesis 19, and even in this very chapter of Judges 19 where the townsfolk’s handling of guests later becomes a dire contrast to this father’s benevolence.Ultimately, Judges 19:6 underscores not only the fatherly affection this man had for his daughter’s husband, but also the broader theme of hospitality that pervaded daily life in ancient Israel. In the storyline that follows, the Levite does indeed linger, which leads to a sequence of travels and tragic events further on in the chapter. However, here in verse 6, the focus is on quiet fellowship and a warm welcome, showing how personal bonds and customs of care could momentarily offer reprieve in a time of national moral confusion.
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Judges 19:6 meaning
In the midst of a longer narrative describing a Levite’s visit to his father-in-law’s house in Bethlehem, the book of Judges recounts, “So both of them sat down and ate and drank together; and the girl’s father said to the man, ‘Please be willing to spend the night, and let your heart be merry.’” (v.6). By this point in the story, the Levite had planned to depart with his concubine, but her father, a hospitable host eager to delay their departure, repeatedly encouraged them to stay. This event takes place during the era of the judges in Israel’s history, roughly dated between 1380-1050 BC, a tumultuous period when various Israelite leaders (called judges) rose up to deliver and guide the people. The father’s invitation to remain yet another night highlights the ancient Near Eastern importance of hospitality, which placed a high premium on caring for visiting travelers, much like the hospitality ethic mentioned in other biblical accounts.When the verse says, “Please be willing to spend the night, and let your heart be merry,” it reveals the father-in-law’s eagerness to show generosity, urging his guest to linger and find comfort under his roof. In that culture, refusal to host a traveler brought shame, while offering abundant food and drink conferred honor upon the household.Such customs appear again and again in Scripture, for instance in Genesis 19, and even in this very chapter of Judges 19 where the townsfolk’s handling of guests later becomes a dire contrast to this father’s benevolence.Ultimately, Judges 19:6 underscores not only the fatherly affection this man had for his daughter’s husband, but also the broader theme of hospitality that pervaded daily life in ancient Israel. In the storyline that follows, the Levite does indeed linger, which leads to a sequence of travels and tragic events further on in the chapter. However, here in verse 6, the focus is on quiet fellowship and a warm welcome, showing how personal bonds and customs of care could momentarily offer reprieve in a time of national moral confusion.