King James Version

What Does Judges 19:17 Mean?

Judges 19:17 in the King James Version says “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 goes...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Judges 19:17 · KJV

Context

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?

18

And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah , but I am now going to the house of the LORD; and there is no man that receiveth me to house. receiveth: Heb. gathereth

19

Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.

Read Judges 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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? The old man's actions demonstrate proper covenant response. "Lifted up his eyes" (vayyisa einav, וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו) indicates deliberate attention—not casual glancing but active seeking of those in need. This same phrase describes Abraham noticing the three visitors (Genesis 18:2) and the Good Samaritan who "saw" the wounded man (Luke 10:33, Greek idon).

Seeing the traveler "in the street" (birechov ha'ir, בִּרְחוֹב הָעִיר) prompted immediate inquiry. In ancient Near Eastern culture, no traveler should remain outdoors at night—hospitality was both moral obligation and survival necessity. The old man's questions "Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?" establish relationship and assess need. Unlike Gibeah's residents who ignored the Levite (v. 15), the Ephraimite fulfills Torah commands: "The stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself" (Leviticus 19:34).

From a Reformed perspective, this encounter illustrates the visible difference between regenerate and unregenerate hearts. External covenant membership (being Benjamites in Israel) doesn't guarantee transformed affections. The old man's compassion flows from internalized covenant values, while Gibeah's men display hearts hardened by sin. Genuine faith produces visible fruit (James 2:14-17)—hospitality being a specific test of authentic Christianity (Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient city streets served as public gathering spaces where travelers without lodging would sleep. City gates closed at sunset for security, trapping late arrivals inside but without private accommodation. Spending the night in the street exposed travelers to theft, assault, and weather—precisely the dangers the Levite feared (v. 20). The old man's return from field work "at even" placed him perfectly to notice the stranded traveler, suggesting divine providence in the timing. Israelite law specifically commanded hospitality to sojourners, rooted in Israel's Egyptian bondage: "for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 22:21, 23:9). Gibeah's failure to provide lodging violated both cultural norms and covenant law.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the old man's deliberate attentiveness ("lifted up his eyes") challenge passive Christianity that fails to notice others' needs?
  2. What does the contrast between the old man's questions and Gibeah's silence teach about active versus passive righteousness?
  3. In what ways do modern Christians pass by those in spiritual or physical need while claiming covenant status, similar to the Benjamites?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֣א1 of 15

“And when he had lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עֵינָ֗יו2 of 15

“his eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַיַּ֛רְא3 of 15

“he saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת4 of 15
H853

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

הָאִ֧ישׁ5 of 15

“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)

הָֽאֹרֵ֖חַ6 of 15

“a wayfaring”

H732

to travel

בִּרְחֹ֣ב7 of 15

“in the street”

H7339

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

הָעִ֑יר8 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)

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר9 of 15

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָאִ֧ישׁ10 of 15

“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)

הַזָּקֵ֛ן11 of 15

“and the old”

H2205

old

אָ֥נָה12 of 15
H575

where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither

תֵלֵ֖ךְ13 of 15
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וּמֵאַ֥יִן14 of 15

“thou and whence”

H370

where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)

תָּבֽוֹא׃15 of 15

“comest”

H935

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

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 19:17 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 19:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 16:8Genesis 32:17

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