Judges 19:2
Judges 19:2 in Multiple Translations
But she was unfaithful to him and left him to return to her father’s house in Bethlehem in Judah. After she had been there four months,
And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Beth-lehem-judah, and was there four whole months.
And his concubine played the harlot against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Beth-lehem-judah, and was there the space of four months.
And his servant-wife was angry with him, and went away from him to her father's house at Beth-lehem-judah, and was there for four months.
But she was unfaithful to him and left him to return to her father's house in Bethlehem. She was there for four months.
And his concubine played ye whore there, and went away from him vnto her fathers house to Beth-lehem Iudah, and there continued the space of foure moneths.
and commit whoredom against him doth his concubine, and she goeth from him unto the house of her father, unto Beth-Lehem-Judah, and is there days — four months.
His concubine played the prostitute against him, and went away from him to her father’s house to Bethlehem Judah, and was there for four months.
And his concubine played the harlot against him, and went away from him to her father's house to Beth-lehem-judah, and was there four whole months.
And she left him and returned to her father’s house in Bethlehem, and abode with him four months.
But she started to sleep with other men also. Then she left him and returned to her father’s house in Bethlehem. She stayed there for four months.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 19:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 19:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תִּזְנֶ֤ה
עָלָי/ו֙
פִּֽילַגְשׁ֔/וֹ
וַ/תֵּ֤לֶךְ
מֵֽ/אִתּ/וֹ֙
אֶל
בֵּ֣ית
אָבִ֔י/הָ
אֶל
בֵּ֥ית
לֶ֖חֶם
יְהוּדָ֑ה
וַ/תְּהִי
שָׁ֕ם
יָמִ֖ים
אַרְבָּעָ֥ה
חֳדָשִֽׁים
וַ/תִּזְנֶ֤ה
zânâh
H2181
to fornicate
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
עָלָי/ו֙
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
פִּֽילַגְשׁ֔/וֹ
pîylegesh
H6370
concubine
N-fs | Suff
וַ/תֵּ֤לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
מֵֽ/אִתּ/וֹ֙
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep | Prep | Suff
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
אָבִ֔י/הָ
ʼâb
H1
father
N-ms | Suff
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
בֵּ֥ית
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
Bethlehem
N-proper
לֶ֖חֶם
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
Bethlehem
N-proper
יְהוּדָ֑ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
וַ/תְּהִי
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
שָׁ֕ם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
יָמִ֖ים
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
אַרְבָּעָ֥ה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Adj
חֳדָשִֽׁים
chôdesh
H2320
month
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 19:2
וַ/תִּזְנֶ֤ה
zânâh
H2181
"to fornicate"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
עָלָי/ו֙
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
פִּֽילַגְשׁ֔/וֹ
pîylegesh
H6370
"concubine"
N-fs | Suff
A concubine is a woman who lives with a man but is not his wife, as seen in the stories of Abraham and Solomon. This word can also refer to a paramour, or a person's lover. The Bible mentions concubines in the context of polygamy and relationships.
Definition: 1) concubine, paramour 1a) concubine 1b) paramour
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: concubine, paramour. See also: Genesis 22:24; 2 Samuel 5:13; Ezekiel 23:20.
וַ/תֵּ֤לֶךְ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
מֵֽ/אִתּ/וֹ֙
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep | Prep | Suff
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
אָבִ֔י/הָ
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-ms | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
בֵּ֥ית
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
"Bethlehem"
N-proper
Beth-lehem means house of bread, a place in Zebulun. The name describes a location known for its food production, later becoming famous as Jesus' birthplace in the New Testament.
Definition: § Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)" a place in Zebulun
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Bethlehem. See also: Genesis 35:19; 1 Samuel 17:15; Jeremiah 41:17.
לֶ֖חֶם
Bêyth Lechem
H1035
"Bethlehem"
N-proper
Beth-lehem means house of bread, a place in Zebulun. The name describes a location known for its food production, later becoming famous as Jesus' birthplace in the New Testament.
Definition: § Beth-lehem = "house of bread (food)" a place in Zebulun
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Bethlehem. See also: Genesis 35:19; 1 Samuel 17:15; Jeremiah 41:17.
יְהוּדָ֑ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
וַ/תְּהִי
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
שָׁ֕ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
יָמִ֖ים
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
אַרְבָּעָ֥ה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
חֳדָשִֽׁים
chôdesh
H2320
"month"
N-mp
The Hebrew term for month, specifically referring to the new moon and the lunar cycle, as described in the book of Exodus and the festivals of Israel. It marks the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.
Definition: : month 1) the new moon, month, monthly 1a) the first day of the month 1b) the lunar month
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: month(-ly), new moon. See also: Genesis 7:11; 1 Chronicles 3:4; Psalms 81:4.
Study Notes — Judges 19:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 19:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 19:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 19:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 19:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 19:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 19:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 19:2
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 19:2
- Barnes' Notes on Judges 19:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 19:2
Context — The Crime of the Benjamites
1Now in those days, when there was no king in Israel, a Levite who lived in the remote hill country of Ephraim took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.
2But she was unfaithful to him and left him to return to her father’s house in Bethlehem in Judah. After she had been there four months,
3her husband got up and went after her to speak kindly to her and bring her back, taking his servant and a pair of donkeys. So the girl brought him into her father’s house, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him. 4His father-in-law, the girl’s father, persuaded him to stay, so he remained with him three days, eating, drinking, and lodging there.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 16:28 | Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians, because you were not yet satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 22:21 | she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you. |
| 3 | Leviticus 21:9 | If a priest’s daughter defiles herself by prostituting herself, she profanes her father; she must be burned in the fire. |
Judges 19:2 Summary
This verse tells us about a woman who was unfaithful to her husband and left him to go back to her father's house. She stayed there for four months before her husband came to get her. This story teaches us about the importance of being faithful and loyal in our relationships, just like God is faithful to us (as seen in Deuteronomy 7:9 and Hebrews 11:11). We can learn from the husband's example of patience and love in this story, and strive to demonstrate those same qualities in our own lives, just as we are called to in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the concubine leave her husband in Judges 19:2?
The concubine left her husband because she was unfaithful to him, as stated in the verse, and this unfaithfulness led to her departure to her father's house in Bethlehem in Judah, similar to how sin can lead us away from God as described in Genesis 3:6 and Proverbs 2:17.
What does the Bible mean by 'unfaithful' in this context?
In this context, 'unfaithful' refers to the concubine's lack of loyalty and commitment to her husband, which is a spiritual principle that can also apply to our relationship with God, as seen in Jeremiah 3:20 and Hosea 1:2.
How long did the concubine stay with her father before her husband came to get her?
According to Judges 19:2, the concubine stayed with her father for four months before her husband arrived to speak kindly to her and bring her back, which shows the patience and love of the husband, similar to God's patience and love towards us as described in Romans 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9.
Is this story in Judges 19:2 meant to be a moral lesson for us today?
Yes, the story of the concubine and her husband can teach us about the importance of faithfulness, patience, and love in our relationships, which are all virtues that are valued in the Bible, such as in Ephesians 5:25-33 and Colossians 3:19.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate faithfulness to God and to others in my life, just like the husband in this story?
- How can I apply the principle of patience and love, as shown by the husband in this verse, to my own relationships and interactions with others?
- What are some potential consequences of being unfaithful, as seen in the concubine's actions, and how can I avoid those consequences in my own life?
- In what ways can I seek to understand and respond to the needs of others, just like the husband sought to understand and respond to the needs of his concubine in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 19:2
And his concubine played the whore against him,.... Was unfaithful to him and his bed, and broke the covenant and agreement between them; or "with him" (i), while she was with him in the house; or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 19:2
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. Went away from him unto her father's house.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 19:2
Against him, i.e. against her faith given to him, or to his wrong; or, with him, i.e. in his house; or whilst she lived with him, which is opposed to her going away, which here follows. Went away from him; either for fear of his severe rebukes or punishment, or because her heart was alienated from him. Four whole months, Heb. some days, to wit, four months; or, a year (so days commonly signify) and four months; wherein not only site sinned, but her father by some indulgence and connivance at her sin, and neglect of just endeavours for her reconciliation to her husband, the ill effects whereof he speedily felt, in the loss of his daughter in so dreadful a manner.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 19:2
Judges 19:2 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.Ver. 2. And his concubine played the whore against.] Which she could not have done had she not been a kind of secondary wife, according to the corrupt custom of those times. Josephus saith that she was a fair woman, and not affecting her husband as she ought, but lingering after other lovers, great strife grew between them, whereupon she went away to her parents within four months after marriage. Varium et mutable semper femina. And went away from him.] An odious woman she was, which is one of those four things that disquiet the earth. Unto her father’ s house.] Who, as a fond father, received her, whenas he should rather have rated or punished her, and sent her home again. Antiq, lib. iii. cap. 2.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 19:2
(2) Four whole months.—Literally, days, four months, which some interpret to mean “a year (see Note on Judges 17:10) and four months.” The incident has, however, little bearing on the general story.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 19:2
Verse 2. Played the whore] Neither the Vulgate, Septuagint, Targum, nor Josephus, understand this word as implying any act of conjugal infidelity on the woman's part. They merely state that the parties disagreed, and the woman returned to her father's house. Indeed all the circumstances of the case vindicate this view of the subject. If she had been a whore, or adulteress, it is not very likely that her husband would have gone after her to speak friendly, literally, to speak to her heart, and entreat her to return. The Vulgate simply states, quae reliquit eum, that she left him; the Septuagint, ωργισθηαυτω, that she was angry with him; the Targum ובסרת עלוהי ubserath alohi, that she despised him; Josephus, αλλοτοιωςειχε, that she was alienated, or separated herself, from him. Houbigant translates the clause: quae cum ab eo alienata esset, vel irata in eum esset, eum reliquit; "who when she was alienated from him, or angry with him, left him;" and he defends this version in his note. I think the true meaning to be among the above interpretations. They had contentions; she ceased to love him, her affections were alienated from him; and she left his house, and went home to her father.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 19:2
2. played the harlot against him] The text is open to suspicion. LXX. cod. A reads was angry with him; this suits the context, which implies a quarrel, but not unfaithfulness, on the woman’s part; she left him in anger and returned to her father’s house, whither the Levite followed to pacify her (Judges 19:3 f.). How are we to account for the reading of the text? Moore ingeniously suggests that by the transposition of two letters she was angry (te’ĕ ?naph) might have become ‘she committed adultery’ (tin’aph), which was altered by the Jews to ‘played the harlot,’ on the ground that only a wedded wife could be said to commit adultery. It is simpler to suppose that the original she was angry was deliberately altered under a misconception of the relationship. the space of four months] lit. days, four months; days sometimes has the specific sense of a year, e.g. 1 Samuel 27:7 ‘a full year and four months’; cf. ch. Judges 17:10 ‘by the year,’ lit. ‘by the days.’ But days can also have an indefinite sense, some time, as probably here.
Barnes' Notes on Judges 19:2
Played the whore against him - Perhaps only meaning that she ran away from him, and left him, for she returned to her father’s house.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 19:2
2. Played the whore — Dr. Clarke, on the authority of Josephus and several of the ancient versions, understands that they had contentions, and, being alienated in her affections from her husband, she