So they passed on and went their way. And the sun went down on them near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text specifically mentions Gibeah "which belongs to Benjamin" not just to differentiate it from other cities named Gibeah, but to foreshadow the coming tribal conflict. This seemingly minor detail highlights that the impending crime and its brutal aftermath will deeply involve and tragically scar Benjamin's tribe.
So they passed on and went their way. And the sun went down on them near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Levite and his concubine are traveling, and as evening approaches, they find themselves near Gibeah, a town belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. This specific location is mentioned to distinguish it from other places named Gibeah and highlights that they are approaching twilight, making it unsafe to continue their journey in the dark. Their reluctant arrival at Gibeah sets the stage for the horrific events that will unfold there.
As the sun dips below the horizon, a new set of dangers emerges. Why was traveling after dark so risky in ancient Israel?
The Urgency of Finding Shelter
The setting sun near Gibeah wasn't just a marker of the end of a journey; it was a stark warning. Traveling after dark in ancient Palestine was fraught with peril for several critical reasons:
This isn't just any town; it's Gibeah. Why is the specific location of Gibeah significant, and what does it foreshadow?
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More Than Just a Location
The mention of Gibeah, and specifically noting it "belongeth to Benjamin," serves a crucial purpose beyond simple geography. It's a detail loaded with historical and theological significance:
Understand the original words
Binyamin · Hebrew Proper Noun
A tribal territory located in central Canaan, allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. It held significant strategic importance and religious history throughout the history of the divided kingdom.
This verse places us at a critical juncture on the road to Gibeah, a town whose name would become synonymous with a horrifying crime that plunged Israel into civil war, starkly illustrating the chaos of the 'no king in Israel' era.
c. 11th century BC
Period of the Judges
This era in Israelite history was characterized by a lack of centralized leadership ('no king in Israel'), leading to significant social and moral instability, and frequent tribal conflicts.
c. 11th century BC
Levite Sojourns in Ephraim
The Levite, seeking a concubine, travels from Bethlehem in Judah to Mount Ephraim, highlighting the decentralized nature of Israelite society and the movement of religious personnel.
c. 11th century BC
Journey to Bethlehem
The Levite and his concubine travel from Mount Ephraim towards Bethlehem, a journey that exposes them to the dangers of travel after dark in a lawless time.
c. 11th century BC— this verse
Evening Falls Near Gibeah
As the sun sets, the travelers find themselves near Gibeah, a town belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, forcing them to seek lodging.
c. 11th century BC
The Crime in Gibeah
The travelers are forced to lodge in Gibeah, where the concubine is violently assaulted and murdered by the townspeople, an act of extreme depravity.
c. 11th century BC
Tribal Conflict Erupts
The Levite's gruesome display of his concubine's body leads to a massive outcry, igniting a devastating civil war between the other Israelite tribes and Benjamin.
This verse also names Gibeah as belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, helping to identify the specific location mentioned in Judges and grounding it within the promised land.
Judges 19:16This verse immediately follows, showing the Levite and his concubine accepting hospitality in Gibeah, highlighting the importance of this location as a stopping point.
Judges 20:14This passage refers back to Gibeah, showing it as the place where the terrible crime occurred, which then led to a civil war within Israel.
1 Samuel 10:26This verse connects Gibeah with Saul, the first king of Israel, suggesting a later significance for this city within Benjamin's territory.
ellicottJudges 19:14: "And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin."
(14) The sun went down upon them. —They were evidently reluctant to stop at Gibeah; but it was dangerous to travel after dark, and the twilight in Palestine is very brief. Which belongeth to Benjamin.—There were many other Gibeahs in Palestine, and for that reason Jibah and el-Jib are common names.
barnesJudges 19:14: "And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin."
Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin - See Joshua 18:24 note.
The text specifically mentions Gibeah "which belongs to Benjamin" not just to differentiate it from other cities named Gibeah, but to foreshadow the coming tribal conflict. This seemingly minor detail highlights that the impending crime and its brutal aftermath will deeply involve and tragically scar Benjamin's tribe.
The Levite and his concubine are traveling, and as evening approaches, they find themselves near Gibeah, a town belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. This specific location is mentioned to distinguish it from other places named Gibeah and highlights that they are approaching twilight, making it unsafe to continue their journey in the dark. Their reluctant arrival at Gibeah sets the stage for the horrific events that will unfold there.
The Levite and his concubine are traveling, and as evening approaches, they find themselves near Gibeah, a town belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. This specific location is mentioned to distinguish it from other places named Gibeah and highlights that they are approaching twilight, making it unsafe to continue their journey in the dark. Their reluctant arrival at Gibeah sets the stage for the horrific events that will unfold there.
"So they passed on and went their way. And the sun went down on them near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin," — The text specifically mentions Gibeah "which belongs to Benjamin" not just to differentiate it from other cities named Gibeah, but to foreshadow the coming tribal conflict. This seemingly minor detai…
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Last reviewed October 2026