Judges 19:13
New International Version
He added, “Come, let’s try to reach Gibeah or Ramah and spend the night in one of those places.”

New Living Translation
Come on, let’s try to get as far as Gibeah or Ramah, and we’ll spend the night in one of those towns.”

English Standard Version
And he said to his young man, “Come and let us draw near to one of these places and spend the night at Gibeah or at Ramah.”

Berean Standard Bible
He continued, “Come, let us try to reach one of these towns to spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.”

Berean Literal Bible
And he said to his servant, “Come, and let us draw near to one of these places, and we shall lodge in Gibeah or in Ramah.”

King James Bible
And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

New King James Version
So he said to his servant, “Come, let us draw near to one of these places, and spend the night in Gibeah or in Ramah.”

New American Standard Bible
And he said to his servant, “Come, and let’s approach one of these places; and we will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.”

NASB 1995
He said to his servant, “Come and let us approach one of these places; and we will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.”

NASB 1977
And he said to his servant, “Come and let us approach one of these places; and we will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said to his young man, “Come and let us draw near to one of these places; and we will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.”

Amplified Bible
And he said to his servant, “Come and let us approach one of these places: and we will spend the night in Gibeah or in Ramah.”

Berean Annotated Bible
He continued, “Come, let us try to reach one of these towns to spend the night in Gibeah (hill) or Ramah.

Christian Standard Bible
“Come on,” he said, “let’s try to reach one of these places and spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Come on,” he said, “let’s try to reach one of these places and spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.”

American Standard Version
And he said unto his servant, Come and let us draw near to one of these places; and we will lodge in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

Contemporary English Version
or maybe we can even reach Ramah before dark."

English Revised Version
And he said unto his servant, Come and let us draw near to one of these places; and we will lodge in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He told his servant, "Let's go someplace else. We'll spend the night either at Gibeah or Ramah."

International Standard Version
He also told his servant, "Come on, let's go to one of these places and spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah."

NET Bible
He said to his servant, "Come on, we will go into one of the other towns and spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah."

New Heart English Bible
He said to his servant, "Come and let us try to reach one of those places and we will spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
He continued, “Come, let us try to reach one of these towns to spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.”

World English Bible
He said to his servant, “Come and let’s draw near to one of these places; and we will lodge in Gibeah, or in Ramah.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says to his young man, “Come, and we draw near to one of the places, and have lodged in Gibeah, or in Ramah.”

Berean Literal Bible
And he said to his servant, “Come, and let us draw near to one of these places, and we shall lodge in Gibeah or in Ramah.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith to his young man, 'Come, and we draw near to one of the places, and have lodged in Gibeah, or in Ramah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to his boy, Go, and we will come near to one of the places and lodge in Gibeah or in Ramah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when I shall come thither, we will lodge there, or at least in the city of Rama.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when I will have arrived there, we will lodge in that place, or at least in the city of Ramah.”

New American Bible
Come,” he said to his servant, “let us make for some other place and spend the night in either Gibeah or Ramah.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said to his servant, “Come, let us try to reach one of these places, and spend the night at Gibeah or at Ramah.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said to his servant, Come, let us draw near to one of these places to lodge the night in Gibeah, or in Ramtha.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his Master said to him, “Come, we will come to another of the regions and we will spend the night in Gabah or in Ramtha”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto his servant: 'Come and let us draw near to one of these places; and we will lodge in Gibeah, or in Ramah.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to his young man, Come, and let us draw nigh to one of the places, and we will lodge in Gabaa or in Rama.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Levite and His Concubine
12But his master replied, “We will not turn aside to the city of foreigners, where there are no Israelites. We will go on to Gibeah.” 13He continued, “Come, let us try to reach one of these towns to spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.” 14So they continued on their journey, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin.…

Cross References
He continued,

Genesis 18:30
Then Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak further. Suppose thirty are found there?” He replied, “If I find thirty there, I will not do it.”

Genesis 18:32
Finally, Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?” And He answered, “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
“Come,

Genesis 24:31
“Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”

Numbers 10:29
Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.”
let us try to reach

1 Samuel 9:6
“Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.”

1 Samuel 9:10
“Good,” said Saul to his servant. “Come, let us go.” So they set out for the city where the man of God was.
one of these towns

Joshua 18:24
Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, and Geba—twelve cities, along with their villages.

Joshua 18:26
Mizpeh, Chephirah, Mozah,
to spend the night

Genesis 24:23
“Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”

Luke 24:29
But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.
in Gibeah

1 Samuel 10:26
Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, and the men of valor whose hearts God had touched went with him.

Hosea 10:9
Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity?
or Ramah.”

Joshua 18:25
Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth,

1 Samuel 7:17
Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.
Genesis 19:1-3
Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown, / and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” / But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

Joshua 9:3-15
But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, / acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. / They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy. …


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

Gibeah

Joshua 18:25,26,28
Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth, …

1 Samuel 10:26
And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.

Isaiah 10:29
They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.

Jump to Previous
Added Approach Draw Lodge Night Places Ramah Reach Servant Spend Stopping Try Young
Jump to Next
Added Approach Draw Lodge Night Places Ramah Reach Servant Spend Stopping Try Young
Judges 19
1. A Levite goes to Bethlehem to fetch home his concubine
16. An old man entertains him at Gibeah
22. The Gibeonites abuse his concubine to death
29. He divides her into twelve pieces, and sends them to the twelve tribes












He continued,
This phrase indicates ongoing dialogue, suggesting a narrative progression. The speaker is the Levite, who is traveling with his concubine and servant. This continuation implies a decision-making process, highlighting the urgency and necessity of finding shelter before nightfall.

“Come,
The invitation "Come" is a call to action, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation among the travelers. It reflects the Levite's leadership role and his responsibility for the safety of his companions.

let us try to reach
The phrase "let us try to reach" suggests a sense of urgency and determination. It indicates the travelers are aware of the dangers of traveling at night, especially in a time when lawlessness was prevalent in Israel, as described in the broader context of the Book of Judges.

one of these towns
The reference to "one of these towns" indicates the proximity of multiple settlements, offering potential refuge. This reflects the tribal allotments in the land of Israel, where towns were often close to one another, providing options for travelers.

to spend the night
Spending the night in a town was a common practice for travelers seeking safety and hospitality. In ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was a significant social obligation, and townspeople were expected to offer shelter to strangers.

in Gibeah
Gibeah was a town in the territory of Benjamin. It later becomes infamous for the events that unfold in this chapter, leading to a civil war in Israel. Gibeah's mention here foreshadows the tragic events that will occur, highlighting the moral decline in Israel during this period.

or Ramah.”
Ramah was another town in the territory of Benjamin, located near Gibeah. It was a significant location in Israel's history, later becoming the home of the prophet Samuel. The choice between Gibeah and Ramah underscores the Levite's desire to find a safe haven, unaware of the impending danger in Gibeah.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Levite
A central figure in this account, the Levite is traveling with his concubine and servant. His decisions and actions are pivotal to the unfolding events.

2. The Concubine
The Levite's concubine, whose tragic fate becomes a catalyst for the subsequent events in Israel.

3. The Servant
Accompanies the Levite and the concubine on their journey, offering practical suggestions during their travel.

4. Gibeah
A town in the territory of Benjamin, where the Levite and his party decide to spend the night. It becomes the setting for the horrific events that follow.

5. Ramah
Another town mentioned as a potential place to stay, located near Gibeah, but ultimately not chosen by the travelers.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Discernment
The Levite's decision to stay in Gibeah rather than Ramah underscores the need for discernment in our choices. We must seek God's guidance in our daily decisions to avoid potential pitfalls.

Hospitality and Community
The lack of hospitality in Gibeah serves as a reminder of the biblical call to love and care for strangers. As Christians, we are called to be welcoming and compassionate.

Consequences of Moral Decay
The events in Gibeah illustrate the dangers of a society that turns away from God's laws. We must strive to uphold righteousness and justice in our communities.

The Ripple Effect of Sin
The account shows how individual sin can lead to widespread consequences. It is crucial to address sin at its root to prevent further harm.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Judges 19:13?

2. How does Judges 19:13 highlight the importance of choosing safe travel destinations?

3. What lessons can we learn about hospitality from Judges 19:13?

4. How does Judges 19:13 connect with Jesus' teachings on loving our neighbor?

5. In what ways can we ensure our decisions align with God's will today?

6. How can we apply the caution in Judges 19:13 to our daily lives?

7. Why does Judges 19:13 emphasize the importance of reaching Gibeah or Ramah before nightfall?

8. How does Judges 19:13 reflect the cultural and historical context of ancient Israelite travel?

9. What theological implications arise from the Levite's decision in Judges 19:13?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 19?

11. Judges 19--How do we reconcile this brutal event with the portrayal of divine justice and compassion found in other parts of the Bible?

12. What is the significance of Ramah in the Bible?

13. What is Gibeah's significance in the Bible?

14. What happened to the Levite's concubine in Gibeah?
What Does Judges 19:13 Mean
He continued

– The Levite is pressing forward despite his servant’s earlier plea to stop at Jebus (Jerusalem).

• Persistence in leadership: like Paul urging believers to “press on toward the goal” (Philippians 3:14).

• A sober lesson: determination is admirable, yet when separated from prayerful discernment it can steer a family into danger, as Proverbs 14:12 warns that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

• The narrator is already hinting that Israel’s moral compass is skewed (Judges 17:6; 21:25). The Levite’s continued push embodies the period’s flawed self-reliance.


Come

– A simple, urgent invitation.

• Calls to action run through Scripture: Jesus says, “Come, follow Me” (Matthew 4:19), and wisdom cries, “Come, eat of my bread” (Proverbs 9:5).

• Yet not every “come” is God-directed; here it foreshadows peril. Discernment is essential (1 John 4:1).


let us try to reach one of these towns

– The Levite calculates a reachable, seemingly safer destination before darkness falls.

• Planning is biblical (Luke 14:28-30), but plans must bow to God’s leading (James 4:13-15).

• The phrase “one of these towns” shows he is content with any Benjamite city, reflecting Israel’s tribal fragmentation; covenant bonds have loosened (Deuteronomy 33:5).

• The Levite never asks the Lord; contrast with David who “inquired of the LORD” before each campaign (2 Samuel 5:19).


to spend the night

– Motive: simple hospitality and rest.

• Scripture esteems hospitality (Genesis 18:1-8; Hebrews 13:2).

• Irony: the place chosen should provide safe lodging, yet Judges 19 will prove the opposite. Sin twists even good desires.

• Spiritual picture: without God’s presence, the night can devour. Psalm 91:1 reminds us real refuge is “in the shelter of the Most High.”


in Gibeah or Ramah

– Two Benjamite towns only a few miles apart.

• Gibeah: Saul’s future hometown (1 Samuel 10:26), later synonymous with moral collapse (Hosea 9:9).

• Ramah: a town associated with Samuel (1 Samuel 7:17). Both stood within Israel, under covenant law, theoretically safer than pagan Jebus.

• Lesson: Proximity to covenant community does not guarantee righteousness. Jesus warned that tares grow among wheat (Matthew 13:24-30).

• The Levite’s preference for an Israelite town shows right instinct, yet the tragedy that follows illustrates that external labels cannot replace true godliness (2 Timothy 3:5).


summary

Judges 19:13 captures a leader’s determined but prayer-less decision. Each phrase unveils both admirable intentions—persistence, planning, seeking fellowship—and the lurking danger of relying on human judgment during a spiritually dark era. The verse reminds us that real safety lies not merely in being among God’s people in name but in actively seeking His direction and living under His lordship.

(13) Or in Ramah.--This town, now el-Ram, is only two miles beyond Gibeah. The two places are often mentioned together (Hosea 5:8). The Levite is naturally anxious to push on homewards as fast as he can. Perhaps he knew that Gibeah did not bear a good character, and that it would be better to get as far as Ramah if possible. In countries where there are no public inns, each town and village gets a character of its own from the reports of travellers.

Verse 13. - Ramah (ha-Ramah, the height). Now er-Ram, less than an hour's journey from Gibeah, both being about equi-distant from Jerusalem.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He continued,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Come,
לְךָ֥‪‬‪‬ (lə·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

let us try to reach
וְנִקְרְבָ֖ה (wə·niq·rə·ḇāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

one
בְּאַחַ֣ד (bə·’a·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-b | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of these towns
הַמְּקֹמ֑וֹת (ham·mə·qō·mō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

to spend the night
וְלַ֥נּוּ (wə·lan·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

in Gibeah
בַגִּבְעָ֖ה (ḇag·giḇ·‘āh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1390: Gibeah -- 'hill', three cities in Palestine

or
א֥וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

Ramah.”
בָרָמָֽה׃ (ḇā·rā·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7414: Ramah -- 'height', the name of several places in Israel


Links
Judges 19:13 NIV
Judges 19:13 NLT
Judges 19:13 ESV
Judges 19:13 NASB
Judges 19:13 KJV

Judges 19:13 BibleApps.com
Judges 19:13 Biblia Paralela
Judges 19:13 Chinese Bible
Judges 19:13 French Bible
Judges 19:13 Catholic Bible

OT History: Judges 19:13 He said to his servant Come (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 19:12
Top of Page
Top of Page