Bible Strands
Judges 19:3
her husband got up and went after her to speak kindly to her and bring her back, taking his servant and a pair of donkeys. So the girl brought him into her father’s house, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports the husband rising from his home and traveling to Bethlehem after his wife has resided with her father for four months. He arrives at the father-in-law’s house to address the separation and retrieve her, where the elder receives him.
The words — וַ/יָּ֨קָם (va/i.Ya.kom) literally means “and he arose,” signaling the husband’s immediate departure. לְ/דַבֵּ֤ר עַל־לִבָּ/הּ֙ (le./da.Ber ‘al-liv.ah) translates literally as “to speak to her heart,” describing his intent to restore the relationship.
The thread — The husband’s pursuit mirrors the tender approach in Genesis 34:3 and the reassuring words in Genesis 50:21. Jesus’ directive in John 8:11 follows a similar pattern of seeking restoration after a breach of covenant.
Why it lands — The text records the husband’s physical journey and the father’s hospitality before any resolution occurs. It asks the reader to note how human attempts at reconciliation are documented without guaranteeing success, leaving the outcome to the unfolding narrative.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father’s house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
Cross-references
- Genesis 34:3 And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke to her tenderly.
- Genesis 50:21 Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.
- John 8:11 “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”
- Leviticus 19:17 You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
- Leviticus 20:10 If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.
- Numbers 22:22 Then God’s anger was kindled because Balaam was going along, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
- Judges 15:1 Later on, at the time of the wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. “I want to go to my wife in her room,” he said. But her father would not let him enter.
- Jeremiah 3:1 “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD.
- Hosea 2:14 “Therefore, behold, I will allure her and lead her to the wilderness, and speak to her tenderly.
- Matthew 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.