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.
During that time when Israel had no king, there was a Levite living in the hill country of Ephraim who took a concubine (a secondary wife) from Bethlehem in Judah.
This verse introduces a story that takes place during Israel's chaotic period without leadership, focusing on a Levite and his relationship troubles.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during the period of the judges (around 1200-1000 BC) when Israel had no central government or king. It was a time of moral and social chaos, as described by the repeated phrase 'everyone did what was right in their own eyes.' Levites were members of the tribe set apart for religious duties, and concubinage was a legal form of marriage in ancient times, though secondary to a primary wife.
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