Judges 19:4
Judges 19:4 in Multiple Translations
His father-in-law, the girl’s father, persuaded him to stay, so he remained with him three days, eating, drinking, and lodging there.
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.
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.
And his father-in-law, the girl's father, kept him there for three days; and they had food and drink and took their rest there.
Her father pressed him to stay with them, so he remained for three days, eating, drinking, and sleeping there.
And his father in lawe, the yong womans father reteined him: and he abode with him three dayes: so they did eate and drinke, and lodged there.
And keep hold on him doth his father-in-law, father of the young woman, and he abideth with him three days, and they eat and drink, and lodge there.
His father-in-law, the young lady’s father, kept him there; and he stayed with him three days. So they ate and drank, and stayed there.
And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they ate and drank, and lodged there.
And embraced the man. And the son in law tarried in the house of his father in law three days, eating with him and drinking familiarly.
The woman’s father asked him to stay. So he stayed there for three days. During that time he ate and drank and slept there.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 19:4
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 19:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֶּחֱזַק
בּ֤/וֹ
חֹֽתְנ/וֹ֙
אֲבִ֣י
הַֽ/נַּעֲרָ֔ה
וַ/יֵּ֥שֶׁב
אִתּ֖/וֹ
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת
יָמִ֑ים
וַ/יֹּאכְלוּ֙
וַ/יִּשְׁתּ֔וּ
וַ/יָּלִ֖ינוּ
שָֽׁם
וַ/יֶּחֱזַק
châzaq
H2388
to strengthen
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בּ֤/וֹ
Prep | Suff
חֹֽתְנ/וֹ֙
châthan
H2859
relative
V-Qal | Suff
אֲבִ֣י
ʼâb
H1
father
N-ms
הַֽ/נַּעֲרָ֔ה
naʻărâh
H5291
maiden
Art | N-fs
וַ/יֵּ֥שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אִתּ֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep | Suff
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
יָמִ֑ים
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
וַ/יֹּאכְלוּ֙
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
וַ/יִּשְׁתּ֔וּ
shâthâh
H8354
to drink
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
וַ/יָּלִ֖ינוּ
lûwn
H3885
to lodge
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
שָֽׁם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 19:4
וַ/יֶּחֱזַק
châzaq
H2388
"to strengthen"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: : strengthen/support/encourage 1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, grow strong 1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon 1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure 1a1c) to press, be urgent 1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense) 1a1e) to be severe, be grievous 1a2) to strengthen 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make strong 1b2) to restore to strength, give strength 1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage 1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage 1b5) to make firm 1b6) to make rigid, make hard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make strong, strengthen 1c2) to make firm 1c3) to display strength 1c4) to make severe 1c5) to support 1c6) to repair 1c7) to prevail, prevail upon 1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support 1c9) to hold, contain 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to strengthen oneself 1d2) to put forth strength, use one's strength 1d3) to withstand 1d4) to hold strongly with
Usage: Occurs in 266 OT verses. KJV: aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. See also: Genesis 19:16; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 27:14.
בּ֤/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
חֹֽתְנ/וֹ֙
châthan
H2859
"relative"
V-Qal | Suff
To be related by marriage means to become connected through wedding vows. In the Bible, this word describes the relationship between a husband and his wife's family, including his father-in-law and mother-in-law.
Definition: a son-in-law, a daughter's husband, wife's father, wife's mother, father-in-law, mother-in- law
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: join in affinity, father in law, make marriages, mother in law, son in law. See also: Genesis 34:9; Deuteronomy 7:3; Ezra 9:14.
אֲבִ֣י
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-ms
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.
הַֽ/נַּעֲרָ֔ה
naʻărâh
H5291
"maiden"
Art | N-fs
A maiden is a young, unmarried woman, often described as a servant or attendant. In the Bible, it refers to women like the maidens who served in the temple or the young women who were eligible for marriage.
Definition: 1) girl, damsel, female servant 1a) girl, damsel, little girl 1a1) of young woman, marriageable young woman, concubine, prostitute 1b) maid, female attendant, female servant
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: damsel, maid(-en), young (woman). See also: Genesis 24:14; Ruth 2:5; Proverbs 9:3.
וַ/יֵּ֥שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
אִתּ֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H854
"with"
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.
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
יָמִ֑ים
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.
וַ/יֹּאכְלוּ֙
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וַ/יִּשְׁתּ֔וּ
shâthâh
H8354
"to drink"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Definition: 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; 2 Kings 19:24; Psalms 50:13.
וַ/יָּלִ֖ינוּ
lûwn
H3885
"to lodge"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To grumble or complain, this word describes a negative attitude of discontent or murmuring. It is used in the Bible to describe people who are unhappy or stubborn.
Definition: 1) to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lodge, pass the night 1a2) to abide, remain (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to rest, lodge 1c) (Hithpalpel) to dwell, abide
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: abide (all night), continue, dwell, endure, grudge, be left, lie all night, (cause to) lodge (all night, in, -ing, this night), (make to) murmur, remain, tarry (all night, that night). See also: Genesis 19:2; Judges 19:20; Psalms 25:13.
שָֽׁם
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.
Study Notes — Judges 19:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Crime of the Benjamites
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.
5On the fourth day, they got up early in the morning and prepared to depart, but the girl’s father said to his son-in-law, “Refresh your heart with a morsel of bread, and then you can go.” 6So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, “Please agree to stay overnight and let your heart be merry.”Judges 19:4 Summary
This verse shows us the importance of taking time to nurture relationships and seek guidance. The husband's decision to stay with his father-in-law for three days, eating, drinking, and lodging with him, demonstrates a willingness to prioritize family relationships and seek reconciliation, as encouraged in Matthew 5:23-24. By showing hospitality and kindness to others, we can strengthen our faith and build stronger relationships, as seen in Romans 12:13 and 1 Peter 4:9. Just like the husband and his father-in-law, we can use our relationships to grow closer to God and to each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the father-in-law persuade the husband to stay for three days?
The father-in-law's actions may have been motivated by a desire to strengthen the relationship between his daughter and son-in-law, as seen in Judges 19:4, and to show hospitality, as emphasized in Hebrews 13:2.
What can we learn from the husband's decision to stay with his father-in-law?
The husband's decision to stay may demonstrate his willingness to prioritize family relationships and seek reconciliation, as encouraged in Matthew 5:23-24 and Ephesians 4:32.
Is it significant that the husband stayed for three days, eating, drinking, and lodging with his father-in-law?
The three-day stay may symbolize a period of rest and renewal, as seen in Exodus 19:15, and highlight the importance of taking time to nurture relationships and seek guidance, as advised in Proverbs 11:14.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of hospitality in the Bible?
This verse illustrates the biblical value of hospitality, as seen in Judges 19:4, and reminds us of the importance of showing kindness and generosity to others, as taught in Romans 12:13 and 1 Peter 4:9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can prioritize family relationships and seek reconciliation in my own life, as seen in this verse?
- How can I balance the need for rest and renewal with the demands of daily life, as hinted at in the husband's three-day stay?
- What are some practical ways I can show hospitality to others, as demonstrated by the father-in-law in this verse?
- How can I use my relationships with others to strengthen my faith and seek guidance, as the husband may have done during his stay with his father-in-law?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 19:4
And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him,.... Prevailed upon him to stay some time with him: and he abode with him three days; it seems as if he agreed to stay with him so long, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 19:4
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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 19:4
Judges 19:4 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.Ver. 4. Retained him.] Or, as others render it, Embraced him. So they did eat and drink.] In token of hearty reconciliation.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 19:4
(4) Retained him.—One motive of the father-in-law would doubtless be to practise the full rights of hospitality, which are in the East so specially sacred; but he probably desired further to win back the Levite’s heart to his erring daughter.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 19:4
4. retained him] or laid hold on him to prevent him from going away, cf. Judges 7:8. The pressing and rather boisterous hospitality of the girl’s father has a tragic significance in view of what follows, hence it is emphasized from the beginning. There is no need to add and brought him in with some mss. of LXX, for the Levite has already entered the house, Judges 19:3.