The Levite and His Concubine

Overview

  • Testament: Old
  • Book: Judges
  • Chapters: Judges 19
  • Summary: A Levite’s concubine is abused and killed in Gibeah of Benjamin, exposing Israel’s moral collapse.

Details

The Levite retrieves his concubine from Bethlehem and lodges in Gibeah. Men of the city commit a horrific crime, and the Levite sends pieces of the woman’s body throughout Israel, summoning national outrage.

Key People Involved

  • Levites — The Levite at the center of the account
  • Benjamin — Tribe implicated through Gibeah

Key Places

Important Verses

“Consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.” — Judges 19:30

Cross-References

Notes

The episode deliberately echoes Sodom, showing covenant Israel acting like the cities once judged in Genesis.