In the biblical narrative, the account of the Ephraimite's wife is a poignant illustration of betrayal and the consequences of false friendship. This account is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 19, and it serves as a somber reminder of the moral decay and social chaos during the time when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

The narrative begins with a Levite from the hill country of Ephraim who takes a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. The concubine, often referred to as the Ephraimite's wife, is unfaithful to him and leaves to return to her father's house in Bethlehem. After four months, the Levite goes to persuade her to return. Her father welcomes the Levite warmly, and they stay for several days, enjoying the father's hospitality.

Eventually, the Levite and his concubine set out on their journey back to Ephraim. As night falls, they decide to stop in the Benjamite city of Gibeah, where they are initially left without hospitality until an old man offers them shelter. However, the men of Gibeah, described as "wicked men" (Judges 19:22), surround the house, demanding to abuse the Levite. In a tragic turn of events, the Levite sends out his concubine to them, and she is brutally abused throughout the night.

The next morning, the Levite finds her collapsed at the door. He callously commands her to get up, but she does not respond, having succumbed to the night's horrors. He places her on his donkey and returns home, where he dismembers her body and sends the pieces throughout Israel, inciting outrage and calling the tribes to action against the atrocity committed in Gibeah.

The account of the Ephraimite's wife highlights the theme of false friendship and betrayal on multiple levels. Her initial unfaithfulness to the Levite sets the stage for the subsequent events. The men of Gibeah, who should have been fellow Israelites and protectors, instead become perpetrators of heinous violence. The Levite himself, who should have been her protector, ultimately sacrifices her to save himself, demonstrating a profound betrayal of trust and duty.

This account serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of false friends and the moral decline that can occur when individuals and communities turn away from God's commandments. The narrative underscores the importance of faithfulness, integrity, and the protection of the vulnerable, values that are central to the biblical understanding of true friendship and community.Judges 19:1,2
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

What did Job's three friends have wrong, and what did they have right? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian relate to non-Christian friends? | GotQuestions.org

How can I evangelize my friends and family without pushing them away? | GotQuestions.org

Friends: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus