Judges 19:4
New International Version
His father-in-law, the woman’s father, prevailed on him to stay; so he remained with him three days, eating and drinking, and sleeping there.

New Living Translation
Her father urged him to stay awhile, so he stayed three days, eating, drinking, and sleeping there.

English Standard Version
And his father-in-law, the girl’s father, made him stay, and he remained with him three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there.

Berean Standard Bible
His father-in-law, the girl’s father, persuaded him to stay, so he remained with him three days, eating, drinking, and lodging there.

King James Bible
And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

New King James Version
Now his father-in-law, the young woman’s father, detained him; and he stayed with him three days. So they ate and drank and lodged there.

New American Standard Bible
His father-in-law, the girl’s father, prevailed upon him, and he remained with him for three days. So they ate and drank and stayed there.

NASB 1995
His father-in-law, the girl’s father, detained him; and he remained with him three days. So they ate and drank and lodged there.

NASB 1977
And his father-in-law, the girl’s father, detained him; and he remained with him three days. So they ate and drank and lodged there.

Legacy Standard Bible
And his father-in-law, the girl’s father, prevailed upon him; and he remained with him three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there.

Amplified Bible
So his father-in-law, the girl’s father, detained him; and he stayed there with him for three days. So they ate and drank, and he lodged there.

Christian Standard Bible
His father-in-law, the girl’s father, detained him, and he stayed with him for three days. They ate, drank, and spent the nights there.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His father-in-law, the girl’s father, detained him, and he stayed with him for three days. They ate, drank, and spent the nights there.

American Standard Version
And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

Contemporary English Version
and did not want him to leave. So the man stayed three days, eating and drinking with his father-in-law.

English Revised Version
And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He made the Levite stay there with him, celebrating for three days.

Good News Translation
The father insisted that he stay, and so he stayed for three days. The couple had their meals and spent the nights there.

International Standard Version
The young woman's father (that is, his father-in-law) made him stay there for three days while they ate and drank during his visit there.

Majority Standard Bible
His father-in-law, the girl’s father, persuaded him to stay, so he remained with him three days, eating, drinking, and lodging there.

NET Bible
His father-in-law, the girl's father, persuaded him to stay with him for three days, and they ate and drank together, and spent the night there.

New Heart English Bible
His father-in-law, the young woman's father, welcomed him; and he stayed with him three days. So they ate and drank and stayed there.

Webster's Bible Translation
And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they ate and drank, and lodged there.

World English Bible
His father-in-law, the young lady’s father, kept him there; and he stayed with him three days. So they ate and drank, and stayed there.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And his father-in-law keeps hold on him, father of the young woman, and he abides with him three days, and they eat and drink, and lodge there.

Young's Literal Translation
And keep hold on him doth his father-in-law, father of the young woman, and he abideth with him three days, and they eat and drink, and lodge there.

Smith's Literal Translation
And his father-in-law, the girl's father, will hold fast upon him, and he will dwell with, him three days: and they will eat and drink and lodge there.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And embraced the man. And the son in law tarried in the house of his father in law three days, eating with him and drinking familiarly.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he embraced the man. And the son-in-law stayed in the house of his father-in-law for three days, eating and drinking with him in a friendly manner.

New American Bible
His father-in-law, the young woman’s father, urged him to stay, and so he spent three days eating and drinking and passing the night there.

New Revised Standard Version
His father-in-law, the girl’s father, made him stay, and he remained with him three days; so they ate and drank, and he stayed there.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, detained him; and he stayed with him three days; so they did eat and drink and lodged there.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the father in law the father of the girl kept him, and he stayed with him three days, and they ate and they drank and they lodged there
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days; so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And his father-in-law, the father of the damsel, constrained him, and he stayed with him for three days; and they ate and drank, and lodged there.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Levite and His Concubine
3her husband got up and went after her to speak kindly to her and bring her back, taking his servant and a pair of donkeys. So the girl brought him into her father’s house, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him. 4His father-in-law, the girl’s father, persuaded him to stay, so he remained with him three days, eating, drinking, and lodging there. 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.”…

Cross References
Genesis 24:55
But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.”

Genesis 18:3-5
“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. / 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 19:2-3
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.

1 Samuel 28:23
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.

2 Samuel 13:25-27
“No, my son,” the king replied, “we should not all go, or we would be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he was not willing to go, but gave him his blessing. / “If not,” said Absalom, “please let my brother Amnon go with us.” “Why should he go with you?” the king asked. / But Absalom urged him, so the king sent Amnon and the rest of his sons.

1 Kings 13:7-10
Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” / But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your possessions, I still would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place. / For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’” ...

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.

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.

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.

Acts 28:14
There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.

Genesis 43:31-34
Then he washed his face and came back out. Regaining his composure, he said, “Serve the meal.” / They separately served Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians. They ate separately because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews, since that was detestable to them. / They were seated before Joseph in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in astonishment. ...

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.

2 Samuel 11:13
Then David invited Uriah to eat and drink with him, and he got Uriah drunk. And in the evening Uriah went out to lie down on his cot with his master’s servants, but he did not go home.

1 Kings 1:41
Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab.

1 Kings 19:21
So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.


Treasury of Scripture

And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he stayed with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

Jump to Previous
Abideth Abode Ate Damsel's Detained Drank Drink Drinking Eat Eating Hold Kept Lady's Lodge Prevailed Rest Retained Sleeping Three Young
Jump to Next
Abideth Abode Ate Damsel's Detained Drank Drink Drinking Eat Eating Hold Kept Lady's Lodge Prevailed Rest Retained Sleeping Three 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














His father-in-law, the girl’s father
This phrase highlights the familial relationship and cultural context of ancient Israelite society. The Hebrew term for "father-in-law" is חֹתֵן (choten), which signifies a bond that extends beyond mere legal ties, emphasizing the importance of family alliances and hospitality. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, family relationships were central to social structure, and the father-in-law's role was significant in maintaining family honor and cohesion.

persuaded him to stay
The act of persuasion here is indicative of the customs of hospitality prevalent in the ancient world. The Hebrew root פָּתָה (pathah) can mean to persuade or entice, suggesting a gentle, yet earnest, effort to extend hospitality. This reflects the cultural expectation of generosity and the importance of building and maintaining relationships through shared time and resources.

so he remained with him three days
The number three often holds symbolic significance in the Bible, representing completeness or divine perfection. In this context, the three days of hospitality underscore the thoroughness of the father-in-law's welcome and the completeness of the guest-host relationship. It also sets the stage for the unfolding narrative, emphasizing the initial peace and fellowship before the subsequent events.

eating and drinking
Sharing meals in the ancient Near East was a profound act of fellowship and covenant-making. The Hebrew words אֲכַל (akal) for eating and שָׁתָה (shatah) for drinking denote more than mere sustenance; they imply a deep social and relational interaction. This act of communal dining would have reinforced bonds and demonstrated mutual respect and goodwill.

and spending the night there
The phrase indicates the provision of shelter and security, key elements of ancient hospitality. The Hebrew verb לִין (lin) means to lodge or stay overnight, suggesting a temporary but significant pause in one's journey. This act of staying overnight would have been seen as a gesture of trust and acceptance, further solidifying the relationship between the Levite and his father-in-law.

(4) Retained him.--One motive of the father-in-law would doubtless be to practise the full rights of hospitality, which are in the East so specially sacred; but he probably desired further to win back the Levite's heart to his erring daughter.

Verse 4. - Retained him. See the same phrase 2 Kings 4:8, where it is rendered she constrained him. The full phrase is in Genesis 21:18, hold him in thy hand.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
His father-in-law,
חֹֽתְנוֹ֙ (ḥō·ṯə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2859: To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage

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

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

persuaded him to stay,
וַיֶּחֱזַק־ (way·ye·ḥĕ·zaq-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

so he remained
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

with him
אִתּ֖וֹ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

three
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

days,
יָמִ֑ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

eating,
וַיֹּאכְלוּ֙ (way·yō·ḵə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

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

and lodging
וַיָּלִ֖ינוּ (way·yā·lî·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3885: To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate

there.
שָֽׁם׃ (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither


Links
Judges 19:4 NIV
Judges 19:4 NLT
Judges 19:4 ESV
Judges 19:4 NASB
Judges 19:4 KJV

Judges 19:4 BibleApps.com
Judges 19:4 Biblia Paralela
Judges 19:4 Chinese Bible
Judges 19:4 French Bible
Judges 19:4 Catholic Bible

OT History: Judges 19:4 His father-in-law the young lady's father retained (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 19:3
Top of Page
Top of Page