Bible Commentary

And the chief of all the people, [even] of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword. 2. chiefs ] Lit. the word = corner, of a house Job 1:19, or of a city Neh 3:24; Neh 3:31 f.; also a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:2”

Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh. 1. the congregation was assembled ] The two words at once stamp the character of source B; cf. in the Priestly Code Lev … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:1”

And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak [your minds]. 30. After unto this day the LXX. cod. A … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 19:30”

And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, [together] with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel. 29. and divided her and sent her throughout all the borders of Israel ] The same words in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 19:29”

And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her [up] upon an ass, and the man rose up, and got him unto his place. 28. The sheer brutality of the Levite’s words prepares us for his savage appeal for vengeance. but none answered ] The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 19:28”

And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down [at] the door of the house, and her hands [were] upon the threshold. 27. With instinctive art the Hebrew story-teller leaves much to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 19:27”

Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord [was], till it was light. Verse 26. Fell down at the door] She had strength to reach the door, but not to knock for admittance: when she reached the door she fell … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 19:26”

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. 25. If the offer of the host strikes us as immoral, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 19:25”

Behold, [here is] my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing. 24. The verse is clearly dependent on Gen 19:8, and, as Bertheau and Moore think, may … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 19:24”

And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, [nay], I pray you, do not [so] wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. 23. Nay, my brethren wickedly ] Similarly Gen 19:7. do not folly ] This translation … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 19:23”