In those days, when there was no king in Israel, a certain Levite was sojourning in the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim, who took to himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "a wife, a concubine" (which is how it's worded in the Hebrew) reveals that this wasn't just a casual relationship, but a recognized, albeit secondary, form of marriage. This distinction is crucial, as it highlights that the woman had committed herself to him as a wife, setting the stage for the gravity of the later events.
In those days, when there was no king in Israel, a certain Levite was sojourning in the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim, who took to himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse sets the stage for a deeply disturbing narrative by highlighting the moral chaos of Israel's "every man doing what was right in his own eyes" era. It introduces a Levite, a member of the priestly tribe, who is living away from the central sanctuary and takes a concubine, a type of secondary wife recognized at the time, from Bethlehem. This setup directly precedes and explains the shocking events that follow, where this concubine flees back to her father's home and the Levite travels to retrieve her, ultimately leading to a horrific act of violence against her in Gibeah.
The book of Judges opens with a chilling refrain: 'In those days, there was no king in Israel.' What does this 'kingless' time really mean for the nation's moral compass?
The phrase 'when there was no king in Israel' isn't just a historical note; it's the diagnosis for the entire book of Judges. It sets the stage for a period of profound societal breakdown.
A Vacuum of Justice
When there's no central authority, no king to uphold the law, chaos often follows. We see this as:
This verse immediately immerses us in a world where the foundational principles of order and righteousness are absent, paving the way for the tragic events that unfold.
Ask a follow-up
The text mentions a 'concubine,' a term that might sound archaic or even offensive today. What did this relationship truly signify in ancient Israel?
The term 'concubine' in the ancient Near East, and specifically in Israelite society, referred to a woman who was essentially a secondary wife. While the exact legal status could vary, she was recognized as part of the household and in a marital relationship with the man.
Understanding the 'Concubine'
This verse introduces a Levite who takes a 'concubine,' highlighting a relationship that was legally permissible but existed in a complex social and moral landscape.
Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
A ruler or sovereign who holds supreme authority over a nation or people. In the context of Israel's history, it highlights a period of leadership crisis and spiritual moral decay characterized by individuals doing what was right in their own eyes.
Leviy · Hebrew Noun
A member of the tribe of Levi, set apart by God for priestly and tabernacle service. They were meant to be the spiritual leaders and teachers of the Law for the nation of Israel.
pilegesh · Hebrew Noun
A woman who lived with a man as a secondary wife. While recognized legally in ancient Near Eastern law, the position often lacked the full social and covenantal protections of a primary wife.
The phrase 'In those days, when there was no king in Israel' is crucial. It points to a period of anarchy and moral decline where each person did 'what was right in his own eyes,' setting the stage for the horrific events that follow and highlighting the desperate need for righteous leadership.
c. 1350-1070 BC
The Period of the Judges
A tumultuous era in Israel's history following Joshua's death, characterized by cycles of disobedience, oppression, deliverance, and a recurring lack of centralized leadership.
c. 1350 BC
Joshua's Death and the Ark at Shiloh
After Joshua's death, the central sanctuary with the Ark of the Covenant was established at Shiloh in the territory of Ephraim, serving as a religious focal point for the tribes.
c. 1100 BC— this verse
Levite Settlement and Service
Levites, a priestly tribe, were scattered among the other tribes and often served at local sanctuaries or the central sanctuary at Shiloh. This Levite was a sojourner in Ephraim, possibly serving a local shrine.
c. 1100 BC
Concubine Marriage Customs
The practice of taking a concubine, a secondary wife with fewer rights than a primary wife, was a recognized custom in ancient Israel, often viewed as a form of marriage.
c. 1100 BC
Moral and Social Decay
The absence of strong, unifying leadership and the widespread decline in adherence to God's law led to widespread lawlessness, violence, and a breakdown of social order.
This passage also begins with 'In those days...' setting a similar tone of historical narrative and introducing a family dealing with hardship during a time of instability in Israel, just like the Levite in Judges.
Judges 17:6This verse directly echoes Judges 19:1 by stating 'In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit,' providing crucial context for the moral decay described in this chapter.
Genesis 38:1-30This chapter features Judah and Tamar, involving a similar relationship dynamic of a father-in-law and daughter-in-law and a complicated marriage arrangement, highlighting the complex family structures and moral ambiguities present in Israel at the time.
Exodus 21:7-11This passage from the Law outlines the specific, albeit limited, rights and treatment for a concubine, providing a legal backdrop to the Levite's actions and the woman's status.
bensonJudges 19:1: "And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah."
Jdg 19:1 . Who took him a concubine — Hebrew, a wife, a concubine, that is, such a concubine as was also his wife: called a concubine only because she was not endowed. Perhaps he had nothing to endow her with, being himself only a sojourner. “Women of this sort differed little from the wife…
clarkeJudges 19:1: "And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah."
There was no king in Israel - All sorts of disorders are attributed to the want of civil government; justice, right, truth, and humanity, had fallen in the streets. Took to him a concubine - We have already seen that the concubine was a sort of secondary wife; and that such connections were…
The phrase "a wife, a concubine" (which is how it's worded in the Hebrew) reveals that this wasn't just a casual relationship, but a recognized, albeit secondary, form of marriage. This distinction is crucial, as it highlights that the woman had committed herself to him as a wife, setting the stage for the gravity of the later events.
This verse sets the stage for a deeply disturbing narrative by highlighting the moral chaos of Israel's "every man doing what was right in his own eyes" era. It introduces a Levite, a member of the priestly tribe, who is living away from the central sanctuary and takes a concubine, a type of secondary wife recognized at the time, from Bethlehem. This setup directly precedes and explains the shocking events that follow, where this concubine flees back to her father's home and the Levite travels to retrieve her, ultimately leading to a horrific act of violence against her in Gibeah.
This verse sets the stage for a deeply disturbing narrative by highlighting the moral chaos of Israel's "every man doing what was right in his own eyes" era. It introduces a Levite, a member of the priestly tribe, who is living away from the central sanctuary and takes a concubine, a type of secondary wife recognized at the time, from Bethlehem. This setup directly precedes and explains the shocking events that follow, where this concubine flees back to her father's home and the Levite travels to retrieve her, ultimately leading to a horrific act of violence against her in Gibeah.
"In those days, when there was no king in Israel, a certain Levite was sojourning in the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim, who took to himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah." — The phrase "a wife, a concubine" (which is how it's worded in the Hebrew) reveals that this wasn't just a casual relationship, but a recognized, albeit secondary, form of marriage. This distinction i…
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Last reviewed October 2026