Old Testament
Judges 19:29
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In Judges 19:29, a Levite returns home after a tragic event involving his concubine.
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Samuel
- Written
- Around 1050-1000 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites living under the judges
When he arrived home, he took a knife and divided his concubine, along with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent them to all the regions of Israel.
And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In Judges 19:29, a Levite returns home after a tragic event involving his concubine. In a shocking act of grief and outrage, he takes a knife and dismembers her body into twelve pieces. He then sends these pieces throughout the territories of Israel. This gruesome act serves as a powerful statement about the severity of the violence and injustice that occurred, highlighting the moral decay in Israel at that time. The Levite's actions are meant to provoke a response from the tribes of Israel, calling attention to the need for justice and accountability. This passage illustrates the extreme measures taken in the face of societal corruption and the desperate need for unity among the tribes to address such atrocities. It reflects the deep emotional turmoil and the lengths to which individuals might go to seek justice for wrongs committed against them or their loved ones.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Judges 19:29 to your life
This passage challenges us to consider how we respond to injustice in our communities. It encourages us to seek justice through peaceful means rather than resorting to violence. We should also reflect on the importance of unity in addressing societal issues and supporting one another in times of crisis.
Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Judges 19:29 signify about justice in Israel?
Judges 19:29 highlights the extreme measures taken by the Levite to draw attention to the violence and injustice faced by his concubine. By dismembering her body and sending the pieces throughout Israel, he aimed to provoke outrage and a call for justice among the tribes. This act symbolizes the moral decay in Israel and the urgent need for accountability and unity to confront societal corruption.
Why did the Levite dismember his concubine in Judges 19:29?
The Levite dismembered his concubine as a shocking act of grief and outrage following her brutal treatment and death. This gruesome gesture was intended to communicate the severity of the injustice and to rally the tribes of Israel to respond to the violence that had occurred. It reflects the desperation for justice and the lengths to which individuals might go when faced with profound wrongs.
What can we learn from the Levite's actions in Judges 19:29?
The Levite's actions in Judges 19:29 serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of societal violence and moral decay. They challenge us to consider how we respond to injustice in our own communities. Instead of resorting to extreme measures, we are encouraged to seek justice through peaceful means and to foster unity among individuals to address and rectify societal issues.
How does Judges 19:29 relate to themes of accountability?
Judges 19:29 underscores the theme of accountability by illustrating the Levite's desperate attempt to hold the tribes of Israel responsible for the violence against his concubine. His dismemberment of her body serves as a visceral call to action, urging the people to confront the moral failures within their society. It emphasizes the need for collective responsibility in addressing injustices and ensuring that such acts do not go unpunished.
The Book of Judges
Judges 1–2: Incomplete Conquest and the Cycle of Sin
After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel inquire of the Lord who should first go up to fight the remaining Canaanites. Judah is chosen and, with the help of the tribe of Simeon, achieves several victories, but fails to drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain because they have iron chariots. The book then details the failures of the other tribes—Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali—to completely dispossess the Canaanites from their allotted territories. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites put them to forced labor, allowing pagan influences to remain in the land. An angel of the Lord appears at Bochim and rebukes the people for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the inhabitants of the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices, but the pattern of disobedience is set.
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