King James Version

What Does Judges 19:3 Mean?

Judges 19:3 in the King James Version says “And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with h...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him. friendly: Heb. to her heart”

Judges 19:3 · KJV

Context

1

And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah . a concubine: Heb. a woman a concubine, or, a wife a concubine

2

And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah , and was there four whole months . four whole months: or, a year and four month: Heb. days, four months

3

And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him. friendly: Heb. to her heart

4

And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

5

And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way. Comfort: Heb. Strengthen

Read Judges 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again—the phrase speak friendly (ledabber al-libbah, לְדַבֵּר עַל־לִבָּהּ) literally means "to speak to her heart," the same tender idiom used when Shechem sought Dinah (Genesis 34:3), Boaz comforted Ruth (Ruth 2:13), and God promised to woo wayward Israel back (Hosea 2:14). Despite the marital breach, the Levite's pursuit demonstrates commendable desire for reconciliation. He came having his servant with him, and a couple of asses, indicating proper preparation for bringing his wife home with dignity, not as a shamed fugitive.

The father's response—when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him—reveals complex family dynamics. The verb rejoiced (vayismach, וַיִּשְׂמַח) suggests genuine gladness, perhaps reflecting relief that his daughter's marriage would be restored rather than ending in divorce (get, גֵּט, Deuteronomy 24:1-4). Ancient Near Eastern culture placed enormous importance on family honor; a divorced or abandoned daughter brought shame. The father's warm reception contrasts sharply with the absence of any recorded response from the daughter herself—her silence throughout the narrative is ominous, hinting at her powerlessness in a patriarchal system where reconciliation was negotiated between men without her apparent consent.

This attempted reconciliation carries theological weight. God consistently pursues wayward Israel with covenant love (hesed, חֶסֶד), speaking tenderly to woo them back despite their spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 3:1-14, Ezekiel 16, Hosea 1-3). Yet the Levite's pursuit, while seemingly noble, occurs within a relationship founded on compromise (concubinage rather than full marriage). The narrative's tragic trajectory demonstrates that human reconciliation efforts, apart from covenant faithfulness to God, cannot produce lasting restoration. Only Christ's pursuit of His bride, the church, through sacrificial love accomplishes true redemption (Ephesians 5:25-27).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The journey from Mount Ephraim to Bethlehem covered approximately 15-20 miles through the central hill country. Travel by donkey was standard for longer journeys, with donkeys serving both as transportation and pack animals. The Levite's servant (na'ar, נַעַר) indicates modest economic means—not wealthy enough for multiple servants but comfortable enough to maintain household help. This socioeconomic detail reinforces that the Levite was not destitute but chose concubinage for cultural rather than economic reasons.

The father's enthusiastic reception reflects ancient Near Eastern hospitality customs, which required welcoming guests (especially family) with warmth and generosity. Hospitality was sacred duty, violating which brought severe social stigma. The subsequent narrative (verses 4-9) describes the father's insistent hospitality, repeatedly urging the Levite to stay longer—behavior that follows expected cultural patterns but also serves narrative purposes, delaying the departure until late afternoon (v. 9), forcing the fateful decision to travel at dusk.

The reconciliation attempt also reflects legal customs regarding marriage dissolution. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 regulated divorce, requiring a written certificate and prohibiting remarriage to the original husband if the woman married another. The concubine's flight without formal divorce left the legal relationship intact, making her return to her husband's house legally proper. However, the absence of divorce law for concubines (as opposed to full wives) created legal ambiguity that may have complicated the situation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the idiom "speak to her heart" challenge modern approaches to conflict resolution that focus on legal rights rather than tender reconciliation?
  2. What does the father's rejoicing reveal about cultural pressures to preserve marriage appearances even when underlying issues remain unaddressed?
  3. In what ways does the Levite's pursuit of his concubine point to (yet fall short of) Christ's perfect pursuit of His wayward bride, the church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיָּ֨קָם1 of 20

“arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אִישָׁ֜הּ2 of 20

“And her husband”

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)

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ3 of 20
H1980

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

אַֽחֲרֶ֗יהָ4 of 20

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

לְדַבֵּ֤ר5 of 20

“her to speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עַל6 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לִבָּהּ֙7 of 20

“friendly”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

לַֽהֲשִׁיבָ֔וֹ8 of 20

“unto her and to bring her again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

וְנַֽעֲר֥וֹ9 of 20

“having his servant”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

עִמּ֖וֹ10 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְצֶ֣מֶד11 of 20

“with him and a couple”

H6776

a yoke or team (i.e., pair); hence, an acre (i.e., day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough)

חֲמֹרִ֑ים12 of 20

“of asses”

H2543

a male ass (from its dun red)

וַתְּבִיאֵ֙הוּ֙13 of 20

“and she brought”

H935

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

בֵּ֣ית14 of 20

“house”

H1004

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

אֲבִ֣י15 of 20

“and when the father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיִּרְאֵ֙הוּ֙16 of 20

“saw”

H7200

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

אֲבִ֣י17 of 20

“and when the father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ה18 of 20

“of the damsel”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

וַיִּשְׂמַ֖ח19 of 20

“him he rejoiced”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

לִקְרָאתֽוֹ׃20 of 20

“to meet”

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

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 19:3 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 19:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 50:21Genesis 34:3Numbers 22:22Leviticus 19:17Jeremiah 3:1Hosea 2:14

Places in This Verse

Bethlehem 1Settlement · Modern: Bethlehem · 31.70°N, 35.21°E52 verses across 14 books
View all places in Judges 19 →

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