Judges 19:18
Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
فَقَالَ لَهُ اللَّاوِيُّ: «نَحْنُ مُسَافِرونَ مِنْ بَيْتِ لَحْمٍ فِي يَهُوذَا إلَى أقَاصِي مِنْطَقَةِ أفْرَايِمَ الجَبَلِيَّةِ. وَأنَا مِنْ أفْرَايِمَ. ذَهَبْتُ إلَى بَيْتِ لَحْمٍ فِي يَهُوذَا. وَأنَا عَائِدٌ الآنَ إلَى بَيْتِي. لَكِنْ يَبْدُو أنْ لَا أحَدَ يُرِيدُ أنْ يَدْعُونِي إلَى بَيْتِهِ!
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, a traveler tells someone that he is on his way from Bethlehem to the house of the Lord. He mentions that no one has offered him a place to stay for the night. The traveler is explaining his journey and his current need.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're on a long trip to visit a friend, and you stop to ask for help. You tell the person helping you that you're coming from your home and going to a special place, but no one has invited you to stay for the night. It's like being on a journey but not finding a place to rest.
Historical Background
This verse is part of the Book of Judges, written between the 10th and 7th centuries BCE. It was written to detail the period of the Judges, where Israel was governed by leaders who were both military and spiritual. The audience was the Israelites, and the cultural setting was one of tribal and nomadic life, where hospitality was crucial.
Living It Out Today
Imagine you are traveling to an important event and you reach out for help but find no one willing to offer you a place to stay. This situation can be compared to the experience of the traveler, highlighting the importance of hospitality and kindness to strangers, even in modern settings.
Topics
hospitalitytravelspiritualityhelplessnessjudgmentcommunity
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does this verse say about the traveler's journey?
The verse tells us that the traveler is moving from Bethlehemjudah to the house of the Lord, likely for a religious purpose, and has been unsuccessful in finding a place to stay.
Why is hospitality important in this context?
Hospitality was a crucial aspect of ancient Hebrew culture, and this verse highlights its importance by showing the traveler's need and the lack of it, which was considered a moral failing.
What can we learn about community from this verse?
We can learn that communities should be welcoming and supportive to those who pass through, showing care and assistance, especially to those traveling for spiritual purposes.
How does this verse reflect the cultural values of the time?
This verse reflects the cultural value placed on hospitality and the importance of providing for travelers, which was a significant social and religious duty in ancient Israel.