Old Testament
Judges 19:25
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
But the men wouldn't listen to him. So the Levite grabbed his concubine and shoved her outside to them. They raped her and brutalized her all through the night until dawn. When morning began to break, they finally let her go.
Compare translations
But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
What Judges 19:25 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, a Levite is confronted by a group of men who refuse to listen to him. In a desperate attempt to protect himself, he pushes his concubine outside to the men, who then proceed to assault her throughout the night. This horrific act highlights the extreme moral decay and violence present in society at that time. The Levite's actions reflect a troubling lack of regard for his concubine's safety and humanity, showcasing the dire consequences of selfishness and the failure to protect the vulnerable. The verse serves as a stark reminder of the importance of compassion and responsibility towards others, especially those who are defenseless. It also illustrates the devastating impact of societal breakdown, where violence and abuse become rampant, and individuals are treated as objects rather than people with dignity.
How to apply Judges 19:25 to your life
This verse challenges us to reflect on how we treat others, especially those who are vulnerable. It calls for a commitment to protect and support those in need, ensuring that we stand against injustice and advocate for the dignity of every individual.
Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Esther's story: Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 2:1–18)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Esther

Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shiloh
Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Judges 19:25
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Judges 19:25
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Judges
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Samuel
- Written
- Around 1050-1000 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites living under the judges
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Judges 19:25 mean?
Judges 19:25 describes a tragic event where a Levite sacrifices his concubine to a group of men who then assault her throughout the night. This verse illustrates the severe moral decline and violence in society at that time, highlighting the consequences of selfishness and the failure to protect the vulnerable.
What is the meaning of 'abused her all the night' in Judges 19:25?
The phrase 'abused her all the night' refers to the brutal and violent assault that the concubine endured at the hands of the men. It emphasizes the horrific nature of the act and the complete disregard for her humanity and safety.
How does Judges 19:25 reflect societal issues?
Judges 19:25 reflects societal issues such as violence, abuse, and a lack of compassion for the vulnerable. It highlights how societal breakdown can lead to individuals being treated as objects rather than people deserving of dignity and protection.
What lessons can we learn from Judges 19:25?
Judges 19:25 teaches the importance of protecting those who are vulnerable and standing against injustice. It challenges us to reflect on our responsibilities towards others and the need for compassion in our actions.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.