Judges 19:20
New International Version
“You are welcome at my house,” the old man said. “Let me supply whatever you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.”

New Living Translation
“You are welcome to stay with me,” the old man said. “I will give you anything you might need. But whatever you do, don’t spend the night in the square.”

English Standard Version
And the old man said, “Peace be to you; I will care for all your wants. Only, do not spend the night in the square.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.”

King James Bible
And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.

New King James Version
And the old man said, “Peace be with you! However, let all your needs be my responsibility; only do not spend the night in the open square.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the old man said, “Peace to you. Only let me take care of all your needs; however, do not spend the night in the public square.”

NASB 1995
The old man said, “Peace to you. Only let me take care of all your needs; however, do not spend the night in the open square.”

NASB 1977
And the old man said, “Peace to you. Only let me take care of all your needs; however, do not spend the night in the open square.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the old man said, “Peace be to you. Only let me take care of all that you lack; however, do not spend the night in the open square.”

Amplified Bible
Then the old man said, “Peace be to you. Only leave all your needs to me; and do not spend the night in the open square.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Welcome! ” said the old man. “I’ll take care of everything you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Peace to you,” said the old man. “I’ll take care of everything you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.”

American Standard Version
And the old man said, Peace be unto thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.

Contemporary English Version
The old man said, "You are welcome to spend the night in my home and to be my guest, but don't stay out here!"

English Revised Version
And the old man said, Peace be unto thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the old man said, "Welcome! Let me take care of your needs. Just don't spend the night in the city square."

Good News Translation
The old man said, "You are welcome in my home! I'll take care of you; you don't have to spend the night in the square."

International Standard Version
The old man replied, "Don't be alarmed. I'll take care of all your needs. Just don't spend the night in the public square."

Majority Standard Bible
?Peace to you,? said the old man. ?Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.?

NET Bible
The old man said, "Everything is just fine! I will take care of all your needs. But don't spend the night in the town square."

New Heart English Bible
And the old man said, "Peace be to you. I will take care of all your needs; however, do not spend the night in the square."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the old man said, Peace be with thee; however, let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.

World English Bible
The old man said, “Peace be to you! Just let me supply all your needs, but don’t sleep in the street.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the old man says, “Peace to you; only, all your lack [is] on me, but do not lodge in the broad place.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the old man saith, 'Peace to thee; only, all thy lack is on me, only in the broad place lodge not.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the old man will say, Peace to thee: only all thy want upon me; only in the street thou shalt not lodge.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the old man answered him: Peace be with thee: I will furnish all things that are necessary: only I beseech thee, stay not in the street.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the old man responded to him: “Peace be with you. I will provide all that is necessary. Only, I beg you, do not stay in the street.”

New American Bible
“Rest assured,” the old man said to him, “I will provide for all your needs, but do not spend the night in the public square.”

New Revised Standard Version
The old man said, “Peace be to you. I will care for all your wants; only do not spend the night in the square.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the old man said to him, Peace be with you; anything that you may lack I will provide for you; only do not spend the night in the street.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The old man said to him: “Peace be to you! Anything that is lacking concerning you I shall give, only you will not lodge in the street”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the old man said: 'Peace be unto thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the broad place.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the old man said, Peace be to thee; only be every want of thine upon me, only do thou by no means lodge in the street.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Levite and His Concubine
19even though there is both straw and feed for our donkeys, and bread and wine for me and the maidservant and young man with me. There is nothing that we, your servants, lack.” 20“Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.” 21So he brought him to his house and fed his donkeys. And they washed their feet and ate and drank.…

Cross References
Genesis 19:2-3
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 10:34-35
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. / The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’

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

Genesis 18:4-5
Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. / And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.” “Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.”

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 25:6
and say to him, ‘Long life to you, and peace to you and to your house and to all that belongs to you.

1 Kings 17:10-11
So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” / And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.”

2 Kings 4:8
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.

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

1 Peter 4:9
Show hospitality to one another without complaining.

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.

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.”

Isaiah 58:7
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

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

Matthew 10:11-13
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.


Treasury of Scripture

And the old man said, Peace be with you; howsoever let all your wants lie on me; only lodge not in the street.

Peace be

Judges 6:23
And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.

Genesis 43:23,24
And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them…

1 Samuel 25:6
And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.

Romans 12:13
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Galatians 6:6
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

lodge not

Genesis 19:2,3
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night…

Genesis 24:31-33
And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels…

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Broad Care House However Howsoever Lie Needs Night Open Peace Rest Spend Square Street Supply Wants Welcome Whatever
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














Peace to you
This phrase is a common greeting in the ancient Near East, reflecting a wish for well-being and harmony. The Hebrew word for "peace" is "shalom," which encompasses not just the absence of conflict but a sense of completeness and wholeness. In the context of Judges 19, this greeting is offered by an old man to a traveling Levite, suggesting a desire to extend hospitality and safety in a time of moral and social chaos in Israel. The greeting is significant as it contrasts with the violence and disorder that follows in the narrative, highlighting the scarcity of true peace in the land.

said the old man
The old man in this passage is a resident of Gibeah, a city of the tribe of Benjamin. His age may imply wisdom and experience, and his actions demonstrate a sense of responsibility and hospitality, which were highly valued in ancient Israelite culture. The old man's willingness to offer shelter to the Levite and his companions is a stark contrast to the inhospitable and dangerous environment of Gibeah, underscoring the breakdown of social norms during the time of the Judges.

Let me supply
This phrase indicates the old man's readiness to provide for the needs of the Levite and his party. The Hebrew root "sakal" can mean to provide or to act wisely, suggesting that the old man is not only offering physical sustenance but also acting prudently in a situation where neglecting hospitality could lead to dire consequences. This act of provision is a reflection of the biblical principle of caring for strangers and travelers, as seen in other parts of Scripture.

whatever you need
The offer to supply "whatever you need" demonstrates the old man's generosity and the cultural importance of hospitality. In the ancient world, travelers were often dependent on the kindness of strangers for food, shelter, and protection. This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of the old man's offer, indicating that he is willing to go to great lengths to ensure the well-being of his guests, which is a reflection of the biblical mandate to love one's neighbor.

Only do not spend the night in the square
This warning reveals the dangerous conditions in Gibeah, where spending the night in the open square could lead to harm. The square was typically a place of gathering and commerce, but in this context, it is portrayed as unsafe. The old man's insistence on not staying in the square highlights the moral decay and lawlessness prevalent in Israel during the time of the Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). This admonition foreshadows the tragic events that follow and serves as a reminder of the need for righteous leadership and societal order.

(20) Peace be with thee.--The words are not here a greeting, but an assurance of help.

Only lodge not in the street.--Genesis 19:2.

Verse 20. - They washed their feet. See Genesis 18:4; Genesis 19:2; Luke 7:34; 1 Timothy 5:10, etc.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Peace to you,”
שָׁל֣וֹם (šā·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

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

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

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

“Let me supply
עָלָ֑י (‘ā·lāy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

everything
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

you need.
מַחְסוֹרְךָ֖ (maḥ·sō·wr·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4270: A need, thing needed, poverty

Only
רַ֥ק (raq)
Adverb
Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

spend the night
תָּלַֽן׃ (tā·lan)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

in the square.”
בָּרְח֖וֹב (bā·rə·ḥō·wḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza


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OT History: Judges 19:20 The old man said Peace be (Jd Judg. Jdg)
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