Book of Judges - Chapter 19 - Verse 1

The verse "And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah." is found in the book of Judges, specifically in chapter 19 verse 1. This passage is set during a time in Israel's history when there was no centralized leadership in the form of a king, resulting in a period of moral and social chaos. The Levite mentioned in the verse is a member of the priestly tribe of Levi and is sojourning in the hill country of Ephraim, which was located in the central region of Israel. The fact that he takes a concubine from Bethlehemjudah, a town in the southern part of the territory, highlights the lack of adherence to traditional social norms and moral values during this turbulent time. This verse sets the stage for the tragic events that unfold in the following chapters of the book of Judges, showcasing the consequences of the absence of strong leadership and the breakdown of societal structures.

In this passage from the book of Judges, we see a glimpse into a period of history when there was no king in Israel. The lack of a central authority led to chaos and moral decay among the people. The mention of a Levite sojourning on Mount Ephraim is significant as the Levites were the priests and religious leaders of Israel. The fact that this Levite took a concubine from Bethlehemjudah highlights a troubling trend of moral compromise among even those who were supposed to be the spiritual guides of the nation. The theological interpretation of this verse can be seen as a warning against the dangers of spiritual complacency and compromising one's beliefs for personal gain. Word studies on phrases such as "no king in Israel" and "took to him a concubine" can shed further light on the cultural and historical context of this passage, enriching our understanding of the message being conveyed in this particular verse.