Judges 19:17
New International Version
When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”

New Living Translation
When he saw the travelers sitting in the town square, he asked them where they were from and where they were going.

English Standard Version
And he lifted up his eyes and saw the traveler in the open square of the city. And the old man said, “Where are you going? And where do you come from?”

Berean Standard Bible
When he looked up and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going, and where have you come from?”

King James Bible
And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?

New King James Version
And when he raised his eyes, he saw the traveler in the open square of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?”

New American Standard Bible
And he raised his eyes and saw the traveler in the public square of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?”

NASB 1995
And he lifted up his eyes and saw the traveler in the open square of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?”

NASB 1977
And he lifted up his eyes and saw the traveler in the open square of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he lifted up his eyes and saw the traveler in the open square of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?”

Amplified Bible
When he looked up, he saw the traveler [and his companions] in the city square; and the old man said, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?”

Christian Standard Bible
When he looked up and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going, and where do you come from? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When he looked up and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?”

American Standard Version
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city; and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?

Contemporary English Version
He noticed that the Levite was just in town to spend the night. "Where are you going?" the old man asked. "Where did you come from?"

English Revised Version
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city; and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He saw the traveler in the city square. So the old man asked, "Where do you come from? And where are you going?"

Good News Translation
The old man noticed the traveler in the city square and asked him, "Where do you come from? Where are you going?"

International Standard Version
As the old man looked up and saw the traveling man in the public square of the city, he asked, "Now then, where are you headed? And where are you from?"

Majority Standard Bible
When he looked up and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, ?Where are you going, and where have you come from??

NET Bible
When he looked up and saw the traveler in the town square, the old man said, "Where are you heading? Where do you come from?"

New Heart English Bible
He lifted up his eyes, and saw the traveler in the street of the city. And the old man said, "Where are you going, and where did you come from?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a way-faring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?

World English Bible
He lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he lifts up his eyes, and sees the man, the traveler, in a broad place of the city, and the old man says, “To where do you go? And where do you come from?”

Young's Literal Translation
And he lifteth up his eyes, and seeth the man, the traveller, in a broad place of the city, and the aged man saith, 'Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will lift up his eyes and will see the man of the way in the street of the city: and the old man will say, Whither wilt thou go? and from whence wilt thou come?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the old man lifting up his eyes, saw the man sitting with his bundles in the street of the city, and said to him: Whence comest thou? and whither goest thou?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the old man, lifting up his eyes, saw the man sitting with his bundles in the street of the city. And he said to him: “Where have you come from? And where are you going?”

New American Bible
When he noticed the traveler in the town square, the old man asked, “Where are you going, and where have you come from?”

New Revised Standard Version
When the old man looked up and saw the wayfarer in the open square of the city, he said, “Where are you going and where do you come from?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the old man lifted up his eyes and saw the wayfarer in the street of the city; and the old man said to him, Where are you going? And whence do you come?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the man old lifted his eyes and he saw the traveler in the street of the city, and the old man said to him: “Where are you going and from where have you come?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfaring man in the broad place of the city; and the old man said: 'Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw a traveller in the street of the city; and the old man said to him, Whither goest thou, and whence comest thou?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Levite and His Concubine
16That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was residing in Gibeah (the men of that place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the field. 17When he looked up and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going, and where have you come from?” 18The Levite replied, “We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote hill country of Ephraim, where I am from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the LORD; but no one has taken me into his home,…

Cross References
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.

Luke 24:28-29
As they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going farther. / 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.

Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Genesis 18:2-5
And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. / “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. / Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. ...

Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,

1 Samuel 9:18-19
Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?” / “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. And when I send you off in the morning, I will tell you all that is in your heart.

2 Kings 4:8-10
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. / Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.”

Acts 16:15
And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Genesis 24:23-25
“Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” / She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.” / Then she added, “We have plenty of straw and feed, as well as a place for you to spend the night.”

Matthew 10:11-14
Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy there and stay at his house until you move on. / As you enter the home, greet its occupants. / If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it, but if it is not, let your peace return to you. ...

1 Kings 13:14-19
and went after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” “I am,” he replied. / So the prophet said to the man of God, “Come home with me and eat some bread.” / But the man replied, “I cannot go home with you, and I will not eat bread or drink water with you in this place. ...

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

2 Samuel 12:4
Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.”

Acts 28:7
Nearby stood an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

Job 31:32
but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler—


Treasury of Scripture

And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Where go you? and from where come you?

whither

Genesis 16:8
And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

Genesis 32:17
And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?

Jump to Previous
Aged Broad City Eyes Lifted Open Square Street Traveler Traveller Wayfarer Wayfaring Way-Faring Whence Whither
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Aged Broad City Eyes Lifted Open Square Street Traveler Traveller Wayfarer Wayfaring Way-Faring Whence Whither
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














When he looked up
This phrase indicates a moment of awareness and attention. In the Hebrew context, the act of looking up often signifies a shift in focus or a readiness to engage. The old man’s action here is not just physical but also spiritual, as he prepares to extend hospitality, a deeply ingrained cultural and religious duty in ancient Israelite society.

and saw the traveler
The traveler, or "wayfarer," in Hebrew is often associated with vulnerability and need. In the ancient Near East, travelers depended heavily on the kindness of strangers. This encounter highlights the biblical theme of hospitality, which is a reflection of God's care for the sojourner and the marginalized, as seen throughout Scripture.

in the city square
The city square was a central place for gathering, commerce, and social interaction in ancient cities. It was common for travelers to wait there, hoping for an invitation into a home. This setting underscores the public nature of the encounter and the communal responsibility to care for strangers, a principle rooted in the Mosaic Law.

the old man asked
The old man’s inquiry is an act of discernment and compassion. In biblical narratives, elders often represent wisdom and the continuity of tradition. His question is not merely about physical direction but also seeks to understand the traveler’s account and needs, reflecting a godly concern for others.

Where are you going, and where have you come from?
These questions are profound, inviting reflection on both destination and origin. Spiritually, they echo the journey of faith, where believers are called to consider their path and purpose. Theologically, this inquiry can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition, where understanding one's past and future is essential for spiritual growth and alignment with God’s will.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Traveler (Levite)
A Levite who is journeying with his concubine and servant, seeking lodging in the city of Gibeah.

2. The Old Man
An inhabitant of Gibeah who offers hospitality to the traveler, showing concern for his welfare.

3. Gibeah
A city in the territory of Benjamin, known for its inhospitable and later, immoral behavior as the account unfolds.

4. The City Square
The public area where travelers would wait for someone to offer them lodging, highlighting the cultural expectation of hospitality.

5. The Journey
The Levite's journey is a central event, setting the stage for the subsequent tragic events in Gibeah.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Hospitality
Hospitality is a recurring biblical theme, reflecting God's love and care for all people. As Christians, we are called to extend kindness and hospitality to strangers, reflecting God's love in our actions.

Moral Decay and Its Consequences
The events in Gibeah serve as a warning about the consequences of moral decay and the importance of upholding God's standards in our communities.

Discernment in Relationships
The Levite's journey and interactions remind us of the need for discernment in our relationships and the importance of seeking God's guidance in our decisions.

Community Responsibility
The lack of hospitality in Gibeah highlights the responsibility of communities to care for those in need, emphasizing the role of the church in providing support and refuge.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When he looked up
וַיִּשָּׂ֣א (way·yiś·śā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

and saw
וַיַּ֛רְא (way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the traveler
הָאֹרֵ֖חַ (hā·’ō·rê·aḥ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 732: To wander, journey, go

in the city
הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

square,
בִּרְחֹ֣ב (bir·ḥōḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza

the old
הַזָּקֵ֛ן (haz·zā·qên)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2205: Old

man
הָאִ֥ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

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

“Where
אָ֥נָה (’ā·nāh)
Interrogative
Strong's 575: Where?, whither?, when?, hither and thither

are you going,
תֵלֵ֖ךְ (ṯê·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

and where
וּמֵאַ֥יִן (ū·mê·’a·yin)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 370: Whence?

have you come from?”
תָּבֽוֹא׃ (tā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go


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OT History: Judges 19:17 He lifted up his eyes and saw (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 19:16
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