King James Version

What Does Judges 19:15 Mean?

Judges 19:15 in the King James Version says “And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging.”

Judges 19:15 · King James Version

Context

13

And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

14

And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.

15

And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging.

16

And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites.

17

And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?

Read Judges 19 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging.

The phrase they turned aside thither (vayasuru sham, וַיָּסוּרוּ שָׁם) indicates leaving the main road to enter Gibeah's gate. Ancient cities were walled, with gates closed at nightfall for security. The Levite's party arrived while gates remained open but faced immediate crisis: there was no man that took them into his house to lodging (ve'ein ish me'assef otam habayitah lalin, וְאֵין אִישׁ מְאַסֵּף אֹתָם הַבַּיְתָה לָלִין). The verb took them in (asaf, אָסַף) means to gather, receive, or bring in—a basic hospitality obligation in ancient Near Eastern culture.

The detail that he sat him down in a street of the city (vayeshev birechov ha'ir, וַיֵּשֶׁב בִּרְחֹב הָעִיר) depicts the travelers waiting visibly in the town square—the normal place for strangers to await hospitality offers. Yet no offers came. This violation of hospitality customs parallels Sodom, where Lot sat in the gate and had to insist the angels lodge with him because the city's men sought to abuse them (Genesis 19:1-3). The prophets later used Gibeah alongside Sodom as emblems of covenant unfaithfulness: "They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah" (Hosea 9:9); "O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah" (Hosea 10:9).

This hospitality failure reveals Gibeah's spiritual bankruptcy. While the Levite foolishly refused lodging in "pagan" Jebus, "covenant" Gibeah refused him lodging entirely. The absence of even one righteous household contrasts with Sodom, where Lot at least offered hospitality (however compromised). This demonstrates that external covenant identity without heart transformation produces not merely hypocrisy but active wickedness—the knowledge of God's law making rebellion more culpable (Romans 2:17-24, James 4:17). Christ's judgment on Capernaum applies: better to have been Sodom than a covenant city that rejects God (Matthew 11:23-24).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern hospitality customs made the Gibeah citizens' refusal shocking. Providing food and lodging to travelers was sacred duty, violations of which brought severe social stigma and sometimes divine judgment (Genesis 18:1-8, 19:1-11, Matthew 25:35-43, Hebrews 13:2). The city gate/square served as the customary meeting place where residents could encounter travelers and extend invitations. Job described his hospitality: "The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller" (Job 31:32).

The narrative's emphasis on "no man that took them in" suggests deliberate avoidance, not mere oversight. In small ancient towns, strangers were immediately visible. The entire community apparently saw the Levite, his concubine, servant, and donkeys yet chose not to offer hospitality. This collective failure indicates either hostility toward strangers, moral decay that made residents fear contamination from righteous visitors (unlikely given later events), or perhaps awareness that offering hospitality would expose guests to the town's wickedness.

Archaeological evidence from Iron Age I sites shows typical Israelite towns had limited public spaces—gates and small plazas where residents gathered. Houses opened onto these communal areas, making strangers highly visible. The social dynamics expected prominent citizens (elders, wealthy families) to assume hospitality responsibilities, distributing the burden equitably. Gibeah's complete hospitality failure therefore represented systemic social breakdown, not individual oversight—the entire community had abandoned covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Gibeah's hospitality failure challenge assumptions that religious communities will naturally demonstrate biblical values?
  2. What does the Levite's experience teach about the loneliness and vulnerability of those seeking faithful community in spiritually compromised environments?
  3. In what ways might contemporary churches fail the "hospitality test," leaving spiritual seekers sitting "in the street" without welcome or care?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיָּסֻ֣רוּ1 of 15

“And they turned aside”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

שָׁ֔ם2 of 15
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וַיָּבֹ֗א3 of 15

“and when he went in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָלֽוּן׃4 of 15

“and to lodge”

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

בַּגִּבְעָ֑ה5 of 15

“in Gibeah”

H1390

gibah; the name of three places in palestine

וַיָּבֹ֗א6 of 15

“and when he went in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיֵּ֙שֶׁב֙7 of 15

“he sat him down”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בִּרְח֣וֹב8 of 15

“in a street”

H7339

a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area

הָעִ֔יר9 of 15

“of the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וְאֵ֥ין10 of 15
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

אִ֛ישׁ11 of 15

“for there was no man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מְאַסֵּֽף12 of 15

“that took”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אוֹתָ֥ם13 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַבַּ֖יְתָה14 of 15

“them into his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לָלֽוּן׃15 of 15

“and to lodge”

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 19:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 19:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 19:18Hebrews 13:2Genesis 19:2-3Matthew 25:43Matthew 25:35Genesis 18:2-8

Places in This Verse

Gibeah 1Settlement · Modern: Tel el Ful · 31.82°N, 35.23°E45 verses across 6 books
View all places in Judges 19 →

Test Your Knowledge

Judges 19 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Judges 19 with CommentaryAll Judges ChaptersComplete Judges QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes