Concubinage in ancient Israel was a recognized social institution, though it was distinct from the covenant of marriage. A concubine was a woman who lived with a man and had a recognized relationship with him, but without the full status of a wife. The practice of concubinage is mentioned in several instances in the Old Testament, and it was subject to certain legal and social norms.

Biblical Context

The most notable account involving a Levite and a concubine is found in the Book of Judges. This narrative provides insight into the social and moral complexities surrounding concubinage during the period of the Judges.

Judges 19:1-30

The account of the Levite and his concubine is recounted in Judges 19. The Levite, residing in the remote hill country of Ephraim, took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. After a period of estrangement, the Levite went to persuade her to return. The narrative describes their journey back and the tragic events that unfolded in Gibeah, a town in the territory of Benjamin.

The concubine's mistreatment and subsequent death at the hands of the men of Gibeah led to a national crisis, highlighting the moral decay and lawlessness of the time. This incident precipitated a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel.

Legal and Social Implications

1. Status and Rights: A concubine, while not having the full status of a wife, was still considered part of the household. Her rights and the obligations of the man towards her were less than those of a wife, but she was entitled to protection and provision.

2. Moral and Ethical Considerations: The narrative in Judges 19 underscores the moral responsibilities of a man towards his concubine. The Levite's actions, including his failure to protect her and his subsequent response to her death, are subject to ethical scrutiny.

3. Tribal and National Consequences: The events in Gibeah and the subsequent conflict illustrate the broader social and tribal implications of personal and familial relationships. The mistreatment of the concubine became a catalyst for addressing the lawlessness and moral failures within the nation.

4. Cultural Context: Concubinage was a common practice in the ancient Near East, and the biblical narrative reflects the cultural norms of the time. However, the account also serves as a critique of the societal breakdown and the need for righteous leadership and adherence to God's laws.

Conclusion

The account of the Levite and his concubine in Judges 19 provides a complex picture of concubinage in ancient Israel. It highlights the legal, social, and moral dimensions of the practice, as well as the consequences of failing to uphold justice and righteousness within the community.Judges 19:1
And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.
Nave's Topical Index

On the Government of God
... Commands of God disobeyed by Christians 82 f. Concubinage, 107 f., 194 f.; laws
concerning, 107n. Constans, Emperor, 144n, 170n. ... Oza the Levite, 175. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/index 2.htm

What is a concubine? Why did God allow men to have concubines in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Concubinage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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