Judges 19:22

22 They were making their hearts merry, when behold, the men of the city, sons of Belial, surrounded the house, beating at the door; and they spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thy house, that we may know him.

Judges 19:22 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 19:22

Now as they were making their hearts merry
With a glass of wine after supper, and conversing together in a cheerful manner about their country and friends:

behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial;
very wicked, lawless, ungovernable, worthless, and unprofitable creatures, men under the influence of Satan, and their own lusts:

beset the house round about:
that none might escape out of it, especially the Levite, his wife and servant:

and beat at the door;
to get entrance, either by those within opening to them, or by breaking it open:

and spake to the master of the house, the old man;
who, upon this noise and clamour made, came to the door, to inquire what was the meaning of all this: to whom they replied, saying,

bring forth the man that came into thy house, that we may know him;
not what manner of person he was, of what country and profession, whither he was going, and what business he had here; but that they might have carnal knowledge of him in an unnatural way, or commit that sin with him which is commonly called sodomy; and the men of Sodom expressed their lust by the same word, ( Genesis 19:5 ) .

Judges 19:22 In-Context

20 Then the old man said, Peace be with thee; only let all thy wants lie on me; but lodge not in the street.
21 And he brought him into his house, and gave the asses provender; and they washed their feet, and ate and drank.
22 They were making their hearts merry, when behold, the men of the city, sons of Belial, surrounded the house, beating at the door; and they spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thy house, that we may know him.
23 And the man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, No, my brethren, I pray you, do not wickedly; seeing that this man is come into my house, do not this villany.
24 Behold, my daughter, who is a virgin, and his concubine; let me bring them out, and humble ye them, and do to them as is good in your sight; but to this man do not so vile a thing.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. i.e. of iniquity. It is literally 'men, sons of Belial,' according to a usual Hebrew idiom: see ver. 23.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.