KJV ORIGINAL
And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Early in the morning on the fifth day, he got up to leave. But the young woman's father said, 'Please, refresh yourself with some food first.' So they waited until afternoon, and both men ate together.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is showing how the father-in-law kept delaying his son-in-law's departure by offering hospitality and meals.
📚 Historical Context
This takes place during the period of the Judges when Israel had no king and social chaos was increasing. The story involves a Levite and his concubine, and this verse shows the ancient Near Eastern custom of extended hospitality, where hosts would persistently offer food and comfort to delay a guest's departure.
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