Judges 19:18 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Levite explains his journey and laments that no one has taken him in.
What Does Judges 19:18 Mean?
The Levite answers, tracing his route: they are traveling from Bethlehem toward the hill country of Ephraim, his own home, and he is on his way to the house of the LORD. Then comes the quiet lament that no one has received him into a house. He names both his destination and his distress in a single breath.
The mention of going to the house of the LORD reminds us that this is a man devoted to God's service, and it deepens the irony that such a man finds no welcome in an Israelite town. His simple complaint, no one receives me, exposes the failure of Gibeah more sharply than any accusation could. Scripture often lets the wounded speak plainly, and the bare statement of neglect carries its own weight. The traveler bound for God's house and yet turned away in the street is a sorrowful picture of how far a people can drift from the God they claim to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 19:18
What does Judges 19:18 mean?
The Levite explains his journey and laments that no one has taken him in.