Judges 19:9 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As evening nears, the father urges the Levite once more to stay the night and leave in the morning.
What Does Judges 19:9 Mean?
At last the Levite rises to go with his concubine and his servant, but the day has already drawn toward evening, and the father makes a final plea: the day is ending, stay the night, be merry, and set out early tomorrow. His reasoning is sound on its face, for the light is failing. Yet his own delays have helped create the very lateness he now warns against, and this time the guest will refuse.
The father's words carry a genuine concern for safety mixed with a deep reluctance to part. There is something poignant in a man who cannot quite let his daughter leave, inventing reasons for one more night. But the verse marks a turning point: persuasion has reached its limit, and the Levite will choose the road over the roof. Scripture lets us feel the weight of these ordinary decisions, knowing that the small choice of when to travel will open onto consequences no one in this happy house could foresee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 19:9
What does Judges 19:9 mean?
As evening nears, the father urges the Levite once more to stay the night and leave in the morning.