But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's chilling here isn't just the violence, but the deliberate act of the man seizing his concubine. The Hebrew word implies a forceful taking, revealing he valued his own safety far more than her life or dignity, actively handing her over to save himself. This chilling detail underscores the breakdown of basic humanity in this dark period.
But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Levite and the old man are desperately trying to protect the Levite's host and his daughter from a mob of violent men from Gibeah. When their offers of the daughter and wine fail, the Levite, to save himself, forcibly thrusts his own concubine out to the mob, who then brutally abuse her all night until dawn.
In a moment of pure terror, the Levite makes a choice that echoes through the ages. Who did he choose to save?
This verse reveals a shocking act of betrayal. Faced with a mob demanding the Levite traveler, the host offers his own daughter. When that doesn't work, the Levite himself seizes his concubine and forces her out to the men of Gibeah.
The men of Gibeah's demand is chilling. What does their night of 'knowing' her reveal about them?
The actions of the men of Gibeah are depicted with stark horror. Their demand for the Levite leads to an unspeakable act of violence against his concubine.
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This horrific event wasn't just about a few wicked men; it exposed a deep crisis throughout Israel. What does this story say about the state of the nation?
Judges 19 is a pivotal and grim chapter that reveals the catastrophic consequences of a society without strong moral leadership and accountability.
Understand the original words
hazaq · Hebrew Verb
To grasp, capture, or take hold of someone, often implying force or authority.
alal · Hebrew Verb
To treat someone with cruelty, violence, or humiliation, particularly in a sexual or oppressive context.
This horrific event occurred during Israel's 'lawless' period under the Judges, where the absence of central authority and moral decline led to such depravity. The Levite's own actions, sacrificing his concubine to save himself, highlight the deep societal decay and the questionable morality even among those meant to uphold God's law.
c. 1100 BC
Period of the Judges
Israel lacked central leadership, leading to widespread moral and social disorder as 'every man did that which was right in his own eyes.' This period saw frequent tribal conflicts and a decline in justice.
c. 1100 BC
Levite Sojourns in Ephraim
A Levite, seeking residence, takes a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah and later travels to his father-in-law's house in Ephraim.
c. 1100 BC
Levite and Concubine Delayed in Gibeah
On their journey back, the Levite and his concubine are forced to spend the night in Gibeah, a town inhabited by Benjamites.
c. 1100 BC— this verse
The Crime of Gibeah
Wicked men of Gibeah demand the Levite be handed over for sexual abuse. The Levite's host offers his daughter, and the Levite himself forces his concubine out to the mob, who abuse her all night.
c. 1100 BC
Discovery and Dissemination of the Crime
The abused concubine is found dead at the Levite's doorstep in the morning. The Levite dismembers her body and sends the pieces to tribes throughout Israel to expose the atrocity.
c. 1100 BC
Tribal Assembly and War Against Benjamin
The horrific crime provokes outrage across Israel, leading to a united military campaign against the tribe of Benjamin for harboring the perpetrators.
c. 1100 BC
Near Extermination of Benjamin
The war results in the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin, with only 600 men surviving. The tribes of Israel later devise a plan to preserve Benjamin.
This passage describes a similar, horrific sexual assault and violation of hospitality by a mob, highlighting a deeply ingrained pattern of depravity that plagued ancient societies.
Exodus 22:16-17This law addresses the financial and relational obligations when a man seduces a virgin or a man has sexual relations with a concubine, providing a legal contrast to the brutal violation described in Judges 19, where all semblance of law and morality is absent.
Romans 1:26-27Paul speaks of 'dishonorable passions' and 'unnatural relations' when people turn from God, which echoes the depravity and senseless lust displayed by the men of Gibeah.
1 Corinthians 6:18This verse warns against sexual immorality, stating that 'the sexually immoral person sins against their own body,' a truth starkly violated by the men who abused the concubine and by the Levite who facilitated it.
clarkeJudges 19:25: "But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go."
So the man took his concubine - The word יחזק yachazek, which we here translate simply took, signifies rather to take or seize by violence. The woman would not go out to them; but her graceless husband forced her to go, in order that he might save his own body.…
pooleJudges 19:25: "But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go."
The man took his concubine; being willing to expose her rather than the daughter of his host, who had expressed such a singular care and affection for him.
What's chilling here isn't just the violence, but the deliberate act of the man seizing his concubine. The Hebrew word implies a forceful taking, revealing he valued his own safety far more than her life or dignity, actively handing her over to save himself. This chilling detail underscores the breakdown of basic humanity in this dark period.
The Levite and the old man are desperately trying to protect the Levite's host and his daughter from a mob of violent men from Gibeah. When their offers of the daughter and wine fail, the Levite, to save himself, forcibly thrusts his own concubine out to the mob, who then brutally abuse her all night until dawn.
The Levite and the old man are desperately trying to protect the Levite's host and his daughter from a mob of violent men from Gibeah. When their offers of the daughter and wine fail, the Levite, to save himself, forcibly thrusts his own concubine out to the mob, who then brutally abuse her all night until dawn.
"But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go." — What's chilling here isn't just the violence, but the deliberate act of the man seizing his concubine. The Hebrew word implies a forceful taking, revealing he valued his own safety far more than her…
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Last reviewed October 2026