And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.
And the old man said, 'Peace be with you; whatever you need, I'll take care of it all. Just don't spend the night out in the street.'
The old man is offering complete hospitality and protection, insisting the traveler not stay outside where it would be dangerous.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Judges, this verse is set during a tumultuous time in Israel's history after the conquest of Canaan, when the nation lacked a central king and moral disorder prevailed, as people often did what was right in their own eyes. A Levite traveling with his concubine arrives in the Benjamite city of Gibeah, where hospitality is scarce due to the era's social breakdown, and an old man from the tribe of Ephraim steps in to offer shelter. This reflects ancient Near Eastern customs of hospitality, where hosts were expected to protect vulnerable travelers from harm in the streets.
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