Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The owner of the house went outside and said to them, “No, my friends, don’t be so vile. Since this man is my guest, don’t do this outrageous thing. New Living Translation The old man stepped outside to talk to them. “No, my brothers, don’t do such an evil thing. For this man is a guest in my house, and such a thing would be shameful. English Standard Version And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this vile thing. Berean Standard Bible The owner of the house went out and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Do not commit this outrage. Berean Literal Bible And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not act wickedly, please, not after that this man has come in my house. Do not commit this outrage. King James Bible And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. New King James Version But the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brethren! I beg you, do not act so wickedly! Seeing this man has come into my house, do not commit this outrage. New American Standard Bible Then the man, the owner of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, please do not act so wickedly. Since this man has come into my house, do not commit this vile sin. NASB 1995 Then the man, the owner of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my fellows, please do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not commit this act of folly. NASB 1977 Then the man, the owner of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my fellows, please do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not commit this act of folly. Legacy Standard Bible Then the man, the owner of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, please do not do evil. Since this man has come into my house, do not commit this disgraceful act. Amplified Bible Then the man, the master of the house, went out and said to them, “No, my fellow citizens, please do not act so wickedly. Since this man has come to my house [as my guest], do not commit this sacrilege. Berean Annotated Bible The owner of the house went out and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Do not commit this outrage. Christian Standard Bible The owner of the house went out and said to them, “Please don’t do this evil, my brothers. After all, this man has come into my house. Don’t commit this horrible outrage. Holman Christian Standard Bible The owner of the house went out and said to them, “No, don’t do this evil, my brothers. After all, this man has come into my house. Don’t do this horrible thing. American Standard Version And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into my house, do not this folly. Contemporary English Version The old man went outside and said, "My friends, please don't commit such a horrible crime against a man who is a guest in my house. English Revised Version And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. GOD'S WORD® Translation The owner went out to them. He told them, "No, my friends! Please don't do anything so evil! This man is a guest in my home. Don't do such a godless thing! Good News Translation But the old man went outside and said to them, "No, my friends! Please! Don't do such an evil, immoral thing! This man is my guest. International Standard Version The man who owned the house went out to talk to them and pleaded with them, "No, my brothers, please don't act so wickedly. This man is my guest! Don't try to do this stupid thing. NET Bible The man who owned the house went outside and said to them, "No, my brothers! Don't do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Don't do such a disgraceful thing! New Heart English Bible The man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, "No, my brothers, please do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house. Do not do this disgraceful thing. Webster's Bible Translation And the man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into my house, do not this folly. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe owner of the house went out and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Do not commit this outrage. World English Bible The man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, “No, my brothers, please don’t act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, don’t do this folly. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the man, the master of the house, goes out to them and says to them, “No, my brothers, please do not do evil after that this man has come into my house; do not do this folly; Berean Literal Bible And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not act wickedly, please, not after that this man has come in my house. Do not commit this outrage. Young's Literal Translation And the man, the master of the house, goeth out unto them, and saith unto them, 'Nay, my brethren, do not evil, I pray you, after that this man hath come in unto my house, do not this folly; Smith's Literal Translation And the man, the lord of the house, will go forth to them, and will say to them, Nay, my brethren, ye will not do evil; after that this man came into my house ye will not do this folly. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the old man went out to them, and said: Do not so, my brethren, do not so wickedly: because this man is come into my lodging, and cease I pray you from this folly. Catholic Public Domain Version And the old man went out to them, and he said: “Do not choose, brothers, do not choose to do this evil. For this man has entered to my hospitality. And you must cease from this senselessness. New American Bible The man who was the owner of the house went out to them and said, “No, my brothers; do not be so wicked. This man has come into my house; do not commit this terrible crime. New Revised Standard Version And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Since this man is my guest, do not do this vile thing. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the old man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, No, my brethren, no, do not be so wicked; seeing that this man has come into my house, do not commit this shameful act. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the old man, the Master of the house, went out to them and said to them: “No my brothers! You shall not do evil in this way, for this man has entered my house! You will not commit this disgrace! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them: 'Nay, my brethren, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into my house, do not this wanton deed. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the master of the house came out to them, and said, Nay, brethren, do not ye wrong, I pray you, after this man has come into my house; do not ye this folly. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Gibeah's Crime22While they were enjoying themselves, suddenly the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they said to the old man who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him!” 23 The owner of the house went out and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Do not commit this outrage. 24Look, let me bring out my virgin daughter and the man’s concubine, and you can use them and do with them as you wish. But do not do such a vile thing to this man.”… Cross References The owner of the house went out and said to them, Genesis 19:6 Lot went outside to meet them, shutting the door behind him. Genesis 18:2 And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. Genesis 24:31 “Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” “No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing! Genesis 19:7 “Please, my brothers,” he pleaded, “don’t do such a wicked thing! 2 Samuel 13:12 “No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not violate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! Genesis 34:7 When Jacob’s sons heard what had happened, they returned from the field. They were filled with grief and fury, because Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done. After all, this man is a guest in my house. Genesis 19:8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them to you, and you can do to them as you please. But do not do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.” Job 31:32 but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler— Leviticus 19:34 You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God. Do not commit this outrage. Judges 20:6 Then I took my concubine, cut her into pieces, and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance, because they had committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel. Deuteronomy 22:21 she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you. Jeremiah 29:23 For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.” Judges 20:5-6 And during the night, the men of Gibeah rose up against me and surrounded the house. They intended to kill me, but they abused my concubine, and she died. / Then I took my concubine, cut her into pieces, and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance, because they had committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel. Deuteronomy 22:24 you must take both of them out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. So you must purge the evil from among you. Leviticus 19:29 You must not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be prostituted and filled with depravity. Hosea 9:9 They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins. Treasury of Scripture And the man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, No, my brothers, no, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into my house, do not this folly. the man Genesis 19:6,7 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, … do not this folly Judges 20:6 And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel. Genesis 34:7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done. Joshua 7:15 And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. Jump to Previous Act Commit Deed Disgraceful Evil House Master Outside Owner Please Vile Wanton WickedlyJump to Next Act Commit Deed Disgraceful Evil House Master Outside Owner Please Vile Wanton WickedlyJudges 19 1. A Levite goes to Bethlehem to fetch home his concubine16. An old man entertains him at Gibeah 22. The Gibeonites abuse his concubine to death 29. He divides her into twelve pieces, and sends them to the twelve tribes The owner of the house went out and said to them In the context of ancient Israel, hospitality was a sacred duty, and the owner of the house felt a strong obligation to protect his guest. This reflects the cultural norms of the time, where the host was responsible for the safety and well-being of those under his roof. The owner’s intervention highlights the seriousness of the situation and his attempt to prevent a grave sin. No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Do not commit this outrage. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LeviteA man from the tribe of Levi, traveling with his concubine, who seeks shelter in Gibeah. 2. The Old Man The owner of the house in Gibeah who offers hospitality to the Levite and his concubine. 3. The Men of Gibeah Residents of the city who act wickedly by demanding to abuse the Levite. 4. Gibeah A city in the territory of Benjamin, where the events unfold. 5. The Concubine The Levite's concubine, who becomes a tragic victim in the account. Teaching Points The Importance of HospitalityThe old man's actions remind us of the biblical call to show hospitality and protect those under our care. The Depravity of Sin The wickedness of the men of Gibeah serves as a stark reminder of the depths of human sinfulness when God’s laws are ignored. The Role of Community The failure of the community in Gibeah to protect the innocent highlights the importance of communal responsibility in upholding righteousness. Moral Courage The old man's attempt to protect his guests, despite the threat, challenges us to stand up against evil, even when it is difficult. Consequences of Turning from God The account illustrates the chaos and moral decay that ensue when a society turns away from God’s commandments. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 19:23?2. How does Judges 19:23 illustrate the importance of protecting guests in your home? 3. What cultural norms in Judges 19:23 conflict with biblical principles of love and justice? 4. How can we apply the hospitality shown in Judges 19:23 to modern life? 5. What other biblical passages emphasize the duty to protect the vulnerable? 6. How can we ensure our actions align with God's standards in difficult situations? 7. Why does Judges 19:23 depict such extreme violence and immorality? 8. How should Christians interpret the moral lessons in Judges 19:23? 9. What historical context explains the events in Judges 19:23? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 19? 11. What are the Bible's teachings on false accusations? 12. Genesis 48:17-19 - Why would God supposedly favor Ephraim over Manasseh despite established primogeniture traditions, and is there any extrabiblical data supporting this choice? 13. Jeremiah 11:18-23: How do these threats on Jeremiah's life align with the idea of divine protection for those who follow God's will? 14. Judges 20:18-23 - Why would God direct Israel to attack Benjamin, allow defeat twice, and then finally grant them victory on the third attempt? What Does Judges 19:23 Mean The owner of the house went outThe narrator notes decisive action. • In an era “when there was no king in Israel” (Judges 21:25), moral leadership often fell to individuals like this unnamed host. • His stepping outside mirrors Lot’s move in Genesis 19:6, underscoring personal responsibility to confront evil. • Scripture gives no hint of hesitation, showing that protecting the vulnerable is an immediate duty (Proverbs 24:11-12). and said to them Words matter in God’s record. • Direct address places accountability on the aggressors, just as Nathan’s “You are the man!” confronted David (2 Samuel 12:7). • Speaking up aligns with the Law’s command, “Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt” (Leviticus 19:17). "No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing!" A clear moral line is drawn. • Calling them “brothers” appeals to covenant identity; sin tears at family bonds (Deuteronomy 13:6-8). • “Wicked” labels the act objectively; God’s Word consistently condemns sexual violence (Leviticus 18:22-23, Romans 1:26-27). • Like Joseph fleeing Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:9), the host labels sin for what it is, affirming the unchanging standard of holiness. "After all, this man is a guest in my house." Hospitality carries covenant weight. • The Law protects sojourners: “The stranger who dwells among you shall be as the native” (Leviticus 19:34). • Violating hospitality equals contempt for God, who shields the weak (Psalm 146:9). • In Luke 10:34-35 the good Samaritan demonstrates this same obligation; the principle spans both Testaments. "Do not commit this outrage." A final plea underscores severity. • “Outrage” (also used in Deuteronomy 22:21) highlights sin against both man and God. • Repetition intensifies warning, like Paul’s “flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). • The host’s stance anticipates Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” summary Judges 19:23 records a righteous host stepping into danger to uphold God’s moral law, protect the vulnerable, and defend the sanctity of hospitality. His bold words expose wickedness, appeal to shared covenant identity, and warn against an act God calls outrageous. The verse challenges readers to confront evil swiftly, speak truth plainly, and guard those under their care, confident that Scripture’s standards remain literal, binding, and true for every generation. (23) Do not this folly.--It is from no deficiency of moral indignation that the word "folly" (nebalah) is used. Sometimes when crime is too dark and deadly for ordinary reproach the feelings are more deeply expressed by using a milder word, which is instantly corrected and intensified by the hearer himself. (See Genesis 34:7; Deuteronomy 22:21.) Thus Virgil merely gives the epithet "unpraised" ("illaudati Busiridis aras") to the cannibal tyrant, which serves even better than a stronger word. (Comp. "Shall I praise you for these things? I praise you not" 1Corinthians 11:17-22.) (See the author's Brief Greek Syntax, p. 199.) This figure of speech takes the various form of antiphasis, litotes, meiosis, &c.Verse 23. - He pleads the sanctity of hospitality.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The ownerבַּ֣עַל (ba·‘al) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner of the house הַבַּ֔יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house went out וַיֵּצֵ֣א (way·yê·ṣê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim and said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to them, אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to “No, אַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not my brothers, אַחַ֖י (’a·ḥay) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not do this wicked thing! תָּרֵ֣עוּ (tā·rê·‘ū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad After all, אַ֠חֲרֵי (’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition Strong's 310: The hind or following part this הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that man הָאִישׁ֙ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person is a guest בָּ֞א (bā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go in אֲלֵהֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to my house. בֵּיתִ֔י (bê·ṯî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1004: A house Do not אַֽל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not commit תַּעֲשׂ֖וּ (ta·‘ă·śū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make this הַזֹּֽאת׃ (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, outrage. הַנְּבָלָ֥ה (han·nə·ḇā·lāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5039: Foolishness, wickedness, a crime, punishment Links Judges 19:23 NIVJudges 19:23 NLT Judges 19:23 ESV Judges 19:23 NASB Judges 19:23 KJV Judges 19:23 BibleApps.com Judges 19:23 Biblia Paralela Judges 19:23 Chinese Bible Judges 19:23 French Bible Judges 19:23 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 19:23 The man the master of the house (Jd Judg. 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