King James Version

What Does Judges 19:8 Mean?

Judges 19:8 in the King James Version says “And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon , and they did eat both of them. until afternoon: Heb. till the day declined”

Judges 19:8 · KJV

ComfortPrayer

Context

6

And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

7

And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.

8

And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon , and they did eat both of them. until afternoon: Heb. till the day declined

9

And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel's father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home. draweth: Heb. is weak the day groweth to an end: Heb. it is the pitching time of the day home: Heb. to thy tent

10

But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him. over against: Heb. to over against

Read Judges 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart—this time the Levite arose early (vayashkem baboqer, וַיַּשְׁכֵּם בַּבֹּקֶר), suggesting renewed determination to leave before the father could interfere. However, once again the father intervened: Comfort thine heart, I pray thee (se'ad-na levavkha, סְעַד־נָא לְבָבְךָ), using the same plea as verse 5. This time the outcome proved worse: And they tarried until afternoon (va'yitmahmehu ad-netot hayom, וַיִּתְמַהְמְהוּ עַד־נְטוֹת הַיּוֹם), literally "and they delayed until the declining of the day."

The verb tarried (mahah, מָהַהּ) means to delay, linger, or hesitate, the same verb used of Lot lingering in Sodom (Genesis 19:16). The phrase until afternoon (literally "until the day declined") indicates late afternoon—perhaps 3:00-4:00 PM, leaving insufficient daylight to reach home safely. The fact that they did eat both of them suggests another full meal, not the quick "morsel" proposed. This pattern of repeated delay despite knowing better demonstrates how sin operates—initial resistance gradually weakens through persistent temptation until complete capitulation occurs.

Theologically, this scene illustrates total depravity's reality. Even the Levite—consecrated to God's service, knowledgeable in God's law—lacked moral strength to resist comfortable hospitality when wisdom demanded departure. His repeated failures (verses 5, 6, 7, 8) show sin's enslaving power apart from God's regenerating grace. Paul's confession applies: "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do" (Romans 7:19). Only the Holy Spirit's power enables believers to resist sin and walk in obedience (Galatians 5:16, Romans 8:13). The Levite's tragic trajectory warns that religious position provides no immunity to sin's deceitfulness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Departing in late afternoon (3:00-4:00 PM) created severe practical problems. Sunset in Israel occurs around 6:00 PM (varying by season), giving only 2-3 hours of remaining daylight. The 15-20 mile journey to Mount Ephraim required 6-8 hours by donkey, making it impossible to reach home before darkness. Ancient travel after dark was dangerous—difficult terrain, wild animals (lions and bears existed in Israel during this period, 1 Samuel 17:34-36), and human threats (bandits) made nighttime travel hazardous.

The narrative's emphasis on the late departure establishes the crisis forcing the decision to lodge in Gibeah (verses 11-15). Ancient readers would immediately recognize the Levite's foolishness—accepting repeated delays that guaranteed unsafe circumstances. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: Lot lingering in Sodom nearly cost his life (Genesis 19:15-16), the Israelites' delayed obedience led to wilderness wandering (Numbers 14), and the foolish virgins' delay meant exclusion from the wedding feast (Matthew 25:1-13).

The detail that "they did eat both of them" reinforces the critique. The text doesn't mention the concubine eating in earlier verses, but her inclusion here may indicate the father's manipulation had finally secured formal reconciliation—the meal serving as a covenant renewal of the marriage. However, this interpretation makes the subsequent tragedy even more horrific: reconciliation achieved through human manipulation and delayed obedience led directly to the concubine's rape and death, demonstrating that relationships built on compromise rather than covenant faithfulness to God cannot produce blessing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the pattern of repeated resistance followed by capitulation mirror your experience with specific, recurring temptations?
  2. What does this passage teach about the importance of decisive obedience at the first prompting rather than gradual compromise through repeated pressure?
  3. In what areas of life might you be accepting comfortable delays that will ultimately create dangerous circumstances or spiritual harm?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם1 of 17

“And he arose early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

בַּבֹּ֜קֶר2 of 17

“in the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

הַיּ֑וֹם3 of 17

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַֽחֲמִישִׁי֮4 of 17

“on the fifth”

H2549

fifth; also a fifth

לָלֶכֶת֒5 of 17
H1980

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀6 of 17

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲבִ֣י7 of 17

“father”

H1

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

הַֽנַּעֲרָ֗ה8 of 17

“and the damsel's”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

סְעָד9 of 17

“Comfort”

H5582

to support (mostly figurative)

נָא֙10 of 17
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לְבָ֣בְךָ֔11 of 17

“thine heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וְהִֽתְמַהְמְה֖וּ12 of 17

“I pray thee And they tarried”

H4102

properly, to question or hesitate, i.e., (by implication) to be reluctant

עַד13 of 17
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

נְט֣וֹת14 of 17

“until afternoon”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

הַיּ֑וֹם15 of 17

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וַיֹּֽאכְל֖וּ16 of 17

“and they did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃17 of 17

“both”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

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 19:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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