Judges 19:6 So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl's father said to the man, "Please agree to stay overnight and let your heart be merry."

◄ Judges 19:6 ►

New International Version
So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Afterward the woman’s father said, “Please stay tonight and enjoy yourself.”

New Living Translation
So the two men sat down together and had something to eat and drink. Then the woman’s father said, “Please stay another night and enjoy yourself.”

English Standard Version
So the two of them sat and ate and drank together. And the girl’s father said to the man, “Be pleased to spend the night, and let your heart be merry.”

Berean Standard Bible
So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, “Please agree to stay overnight and let your heart be merry.”

King James Bible
And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

New King James Version
So they sat down, and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the young woman’s father said to the man, “Please be content to stay all night, and let your heart be merry.”

New American Standard Bible
So both of them sat down and ate and drank together; and the girl’s father said to the man, “Please be so kind as to spend the night, and let your heart be cheerful.”

NASB 1995
So both of them sat down and ate and drank together; and the girl’s father said to the man, “Please be willing to spend the night, and let your heart be merry.”

NASB 1977
So both of them sat down and ate and drank together; and the girl’s father said to the man, “Please be willing to spend the night, and let your heart be merry.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So both of them sat down and ate and drank together; and the girl’s father said to the man, “Please be willing to spend the night, and let your heart be merry.”

Amplified Bible
So both men sat down and ate and drank together; and the girl’s father said to the man, “Please be willing to spend the night and enjoy yourself.”

Christian Standard Bible
So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, “Please agree to stay overnight and enjoy yourself.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, “Please agree to stay overnight and enjoy yourself.”

American Standard Version
So they sat down, and did eat and drink, both of them together: and the damsel's father said unto the man, Be pleased, I pray thee, to tarry all night, and let thy heart be merry.

Contemporary English Version
The two men sat down together and ate a big meal. "Come on," the man's father-in-law said. "Stay tonight and have a good time."

English Revised Version
So they sat down, and did eat and drink, both of them together: and the damsel's father said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So they both sat down and ate and drank together. The woman's father said to his son-in-law, "Why don't you spend the night and enjoy yourself?"

Good News Translation
So the two men sat down and ate and drank together. Then the woman's father told him, "Please spend the night and enjoy yourself."

International Standard Version
So both of them sat down for a bit, ate and drank together, and the young woman's father invited the man, "Please, enjoy yourself and spend another night."

Majority Standard Bible
So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl?s father said to the man, ?Please agree to stay overnight and let your heart be merry.?

NET Bible
So the two of them sat down and had a meal together. Then the girl's father said to the man, "Why not stay another night and have a good time!"

New Heart English Bible
So they sat down, ate, and drank, both of them together. Then the young woman's father said to the man, "Please agree to stay the night, and enjoy yourself."

Webster's Bible Translation
And they sat down, and ate and drank both of them together: for the damsel's father had said to the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thy heart be merry.

World English Bible
So they sat down, ate, and drank, both of them together. Then the young lady’s father said to the man, “Please be pleased to stay all night, and let your heart be merry.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And both of them sit, and eat and drink together, and the father of the young woman says to the man, “Please be willing and lodge all night, and let your heart be glad.”

Young's Literal Translation
And they sit and eat both of them together, and drink, and the father of the young woman saith unto the man, 'Be willing, I pray thee, and lodge all night, and let thy heart be glad.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will sit down and eat, they two together, and drink: and the girl's father will say to the man, Be willing, now, and lodge, and do good to thy heart.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they sat down together, and ate and drank. And the father of the young woman said to his son in law: I beseech thee to stay here to day, and let us make merry together.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they sat down together, and they ate and drank. And the father of the young woman said to his son-in-law, “I ask you to remain here today, so that we may rejoice together.”

New American Bible
So they stayed and the two men ate and drank together. Then the young woman’s father said to the husband, “Why not decide to spend the night here and enjoy yourself?”

New Revised Standard Version
So the two men sat and ate and drank together; and the girl’s father said to the man, “Why not spend the night and enjoy yourself?”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
So they sat down and did eat and drink, both of them together; and the damsel's father said to his son-in-law, If you wish you may spend the night and it will do you good.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they stayed and they both ate together and they drank, and the father of the girl said to his son in law: “If you please, stay the night and it shall be good for you!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
So they sat down, and did eat and drink, both of them together; and the damsel's father said unto the man: 'Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thy heart be merry.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So they two sat down together and ate and drank: and the father of the damsel said to her husband, Tarry now the night, and let thy heart be merry.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Levite and His Concubine
…5On the fourth day, they got up early in the morning and prepared to depart, but the girl’s father said to his son-in-law, “Refresh your heart with a morsel of bread, and then you can go.” 6So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, “Please agree to stay overnight and let your heart be merry.” 7The man got up to depart, but his father-in-law persuaded him, so he stayed there that night.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 18:5
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.”

Genesis 19:3
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.

1 Samuel 9:22-24
Then Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited—about thirty in all. / And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.” / So the cook picked up the leg and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Here is what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat, for it has been kept for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul dined with Samuel that day.

1 Samuel 28:22-25
Now please listen to your servant and let me set a morsel of bread before you so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.” / Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed. / The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. ...

2 Samuel 13:28
Now Absalom had ordered his young men, “Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine, and when I order you to strike Amnon down, you are to kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!”

1 Kings 19:5-8
Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” / And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. / A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” ...

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.

Nehemiah 8:10
Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Psalm 104:15
wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart.

Proverbs 9:5
“Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.

Isaiah 25:6
On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine.

Luke 24:30-31
While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them. / Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight.

Luke 24:41-43
While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” / So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, / and He took it and ate it in front of them.

John 2:2
and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

John 21:12-13
“Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord. / Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish.

Treasury of Scripture

And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said to the man, Be content, I pray you, and tarry all night, and let your heart be merry.

let thine heart

Judges 19:9,21
And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel's father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home…

Judges 9:27
And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

Judges 16:25
And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.

until afternoon.

Jump to Previous

Afterward Ate Content Damsel's Drank Drink Eat Enjoy Heart Lady's Merry Night Please Pleased Pleasure Rest Sat Seating Sit Tarry Themselves Together Tonight Willing Young

Jump to Next

Afterward Ate Content Damsel's Drank Drink Eat Enjoy Heart Lady's Merry Night Please Pleased Pleasure Rest Sat Seating Sit Tarry Themselves Together Tonight Willing 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

Berean Study Bible

So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together
So the two of them
This phrase refers to the Levite and his father-in-law, the father of the concubine. The context of Judges 19 is a narrative that highlights the social and moral decay in Israel during the time of the judges. The Levite, a member of the priestly tribe, represents a spiritual leader, yet his actions and circumstances reveal the widespread corruption and failure to adhere to God's laws. The father-in-law, a man of hospitality, represents the cultural norms of the time, where hospitality was a significant virtue. The phrase underscores the relational dynamics and the cultural expectations of hospitality and reconciliation.

sat down
In ancient Near Eastern culture, sitting down to share a meal was a sign of fellowship and peace. It was a gesture of goodwill and an opportunity to strengthen bonds. The act of sitting down together indicates a temporary resolution of any previous tension or conflict, as the Levite had initially come to retrieve his concubine. This moment of sitting down is a pause in the narrative, offering a glimpse of normalcy and civility amidst the chaos that will soon unfold.

to eat and drink
Eating and drinking together in biblical times was more than just a physical necessity; it was a communal activity that signified unity and agreement. In the Hebrew context, meals were often covenantal, symbolizing a shared commitment or understanding. The act of eating and drinking together here is a momentary reflection of peace and mutual respect, even as the broader narrative of Judges reveals a society in turmoil. It is a reminder of the importance of community and the breaking of bread as a means of fostering relationships.

together
The word "together" emphasizes unity and shared experience. In a time when Israel was fragmented and each tribe did what was right in its own eyes, moments of togetherness were rare and precious. This togetherness, however, is superficial, as the subsequent events in the chapter reveal deep-seated issues and divisions. The fleeting nature of this unity serves as a poignant reminder of the need for true reconciliation and adherence to God's covenant, which alone can bring lasting peace and unity.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) Let thine heart be merry.--Judges 16:25; Judges 18:20.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. - For the damsel's father had said, etc., or rather, And the damsel's father said. He had not at first intended to stay on, but to go on his way after he had eaten and drunk (ver. 5). But when they had prolonged their carousal, the father of the damsel persuaded him to stay on another night.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So they sat down
וַיֵּשְׁב֗וּ (way·yê·šə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

and the two
שְׁנֵיהֶ֛ם (šə·nê·hem)
Number - mdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

of them ate
וַיֹּאכְל֧וּ (way·yō·ḵə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

and drank
וַיִּשְׁתּ֑וּ (way·yiš·tū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

together.
יַחְדָּ֖ו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

Then the girl’s
הַֽנַּעֲרָה֙ (han·na·‘ă·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5291: A girl, maiden

father
אֲבִ֤י (’ă·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1: Father

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

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

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

“Please
נָ֥א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

agree
הֽוֹאֶל־ (hō·w·’el-)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2974: To show willingness, be pleased, determine, undertake (to do anything)

to stay overnight
וְלִ֖ין (wə·lîn)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

and let your heart
לִבֶּֽךָ׃ (lib·be·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

be merry.”
וְיִטַ֥ב (wə·yi·ṭaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing

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OT History: Judges 19:6 So they sat down ate and drank (Jd Judg. Jdg)