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Verse

Judges 19:6

ESV So the two of them sat and ate and drank together. And the girl 's father said to the man, "Be pleased to spend the night, and let your heart be merry."
NIV So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Afterward the woman’s father said, "Please stay tonight and enjoy yourself."
NASB So both of them sat down and ate and drank together; and the girl’s father said to the man, 'Please be so kind as to spend the night, and let your heart be cheerful.'
CSB So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, "Please agree to stay overnight and enjoy yourself."
NLT So the two men sat down together and had something to eat and drink. Then the woman’s father said, 'Please stay another night and enjoy yourself.'
KJV And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.
NKJV So they sat down, and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the young woman’s father said to the man, “Please be content to stay all night, and let your heart be merry.”

What does Judges 19:6 mean?

Those who travel to see family sometimes experience what's happening to the Levite and his concubine (Judges 19:1–5). Her father seems committed to finding some excuse to keep them longer. The man just does not want to let his daughter and son-in-law leave. Perhaps the Levite man is hesitating, as well. It's possible he isn't sure how to firmly decline without seeming ungrateful. The bounds of customary hospitality in the ancient middle east were taken very seriously. The Levite clearly has no good exit strategy.

The father urged the Levite man to have a quick "morsel of bread" before leaving early in the morning. Now it seems that morsel turned into a leisurely morning of eating and drinking together. Finally, the father said to the Levite, you might as well stay another night and enjoy yourself.
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