Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 19:5
And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son-in-law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.
5. The doublets and repetitions in this and the following verses may at first sight appear to be due to the carelessness of a narrator who did not pay much attention to literary correctness; more probably, however, they are to be accounted for, as in similar cases elsewhere, by the combination of two sources. Although other parts of this chapter seem to be fairly homogeneous, yet at this point indications of fusion become apparent. Thus the same request is repeated four times Jdg 19:5-6 ; Jdg 19:8-9; father of the damsel ( Jdg 19:3 ; Jdg 19:6 ; Jdg 19:8) seems to be a duplicate of his father in law ( Jdg 19:7), both being combined in Jdg 19:4; a similar doubling of phraseology appears in comfort thine heart ( Jdg 19:5 ; Jdg 19:8) and let thine heart be merry ( Jdg 19:6 ; Jdg 19:9); in they did eat and drink ( Jdg 19:4) and they did eat, both of them ( Jdg 19:8), combined in Jdg 19:6; in Behold, now the day draweth toward evening and behold, the day groweth to an end in Jdg 19:9. This last verse, the text of which is open to question here and there, shews a curious alternation of singular and plural, not always apparent in English; tarry all night is plural, lodge here, the same word in Hebrew, is singular; get you early on your way and that thou mayest go to thy tents; the one account seems to have used singular verbs and pronouns, the other plural; similarly here, Jdg 19:5, they arose early and he rose up. Again, it would appear that according to one version the Levite was persuaded to stay for three days ( Jdg 19:4) and then for a fourth ( Jdg 19:5), while the other version seems to imply that he intended to leave on the day of his arrival, but remained for one night as his father in law urged him ( Jdg 19:6 b, 7); on the fifth day ( Jdg 19:8) may then be due to the editor who united the documents (Moore). Fortunately these redundancies do not obscure the purpose of this part of the story, which is to explain how it happened that the Levite and his belongings arrived at Gibeah so late in the day.
Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread ] The same expressions as in Gen 18:5 J; comfort in the old English sense of strengthen, as the verb is rendered in Psa 104:15.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And it came to pass on the fourth day,…. The time the Levite had agreed to stay being up:
when they arose early in the morning the Levite, his concubine and servant, in order to set out on their journey: that he arose to depart; the Levite rose up from his seat to take his leave of his father-in-law, and depart from his house, and proceed on his way homeward; for rising out of his bed is before expressed:
and the damsel’s father said to his son in law, comfort thy heart with a morsel of bread; take a breakfast first, that he might be fitter for his journey, for bread comforts or strengthens men’s hearts, Ps 104:15 though here it may be put for any and all sorts of provisions, whatever might be proper to take early in a morning, and before setting out on a journey: and afterwards go your way; he seemed as if he was willing he should set forward, after he had refreshed him with a meal.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Also on the fourth day, when he was about to depart in the morning, the Levite yielded to the persuasion of his father-in-law, that he would first of all strengthen his heart again with a bit of bread ( as in Gen 18:5; the imperative form with o is unusual); and then afterwards, whilst they were eating and drinking, he consented to stay another night.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(5) Early in the morning.Except in winter, most journeys are performed in the early morning or late evening, in order to avoid the burning heat.
Comfort thine heart.Literally, Prop up thy heart, as in Gen. 18:5. This resembles the Latin expression cor fulcire.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Jdg 19:5 a
‘And it happened on the fourth day that they arose early in the morning, and he rose up to depart.’ The necessary time for fulfilling all the formalities had now passed. Seemingly it was agreed that his wife should return with him. There was nothing to keep them further.
“That they arose early in the morning, and he rose up to depart.” They had a long journey ahead, so the Levite and his servant rose early to make final preparations for the journey. Then when the time came he stood up ready to depart.
Jdg 19:5 b
‘And the damsel’s father said to his son in law, “Comfort your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterwards you shall go your way.” ’
The father was using delaying tactics. It may have been because he was genuinely pleased to have their company, or it may have been because he knew that his daughter was not too keen on setting out. But he was clearly reluctant to see them go. It may be that he hoped that the atmosphere in the home might re-cement the relationship between man and wife.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 19:5 And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.
Ver. 5. That he rose up to depart. ] It is good hearing, saith a reverend man, a when the Levite maketh haste home. An honest man’s heart is the place of his calling. Such a one, when he is abroad, is like a fish in the air; whereinto if it leap for recreation or necessity, yet it soon returneth to to its own element. This charge by how much more sacred it is, so much the more attendance it expecteth. Even a day breaketh square with the conscionable.
a Bp. Hall.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Comfort: Heb. Srengthen, Jdg 19:8, Gen 18:5, 1Sa 14:27-29, 1Sa 30:12, 1Ki 13:7, Psa 104:15, Joh 4:34, Act 9:19
with a morsel: Jdg 19:22
Reciprocal: Jdg 19:18 – receiveth