Definition: And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that passage from Judges 19:4. It’s a really strange and unsettling part of the story! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: A Man is Being Held: A man named “the damsel’s father” (meaning his stepfather or guardian) is holding onto this young man, essentially keeping him under his roof. They Stay for Three Days: They’ve been living with him for three days. They Are Living Comfortably: During those three days, they're eating, drinking, and staying in a house – it’s a comfortable lifestyle. What It Suggests (and the potential meaning behind it): This passage is very unusual and raises a lot of questions. Here are some possible interpretations, keeping in mind that biblical interpretation can be complex: A Cover-Up: The most common understanding is that this man was being held against his will – perhaps by someone who wanted him to be forced into marriage or something else. His stepfather was actively preventing him from leaving. A Temporary Arrangement: It could simply mean a temporary arrangement of living together, maybe for a specific purpose (like work or care). It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it highlights a potentially problematic situation. Important Note: The Bible doesn't explicitly say why this man was being held. This is where the story gets intriguing and open to interpretation. It points towards a potential violation of his rights and possibly a form of abuse or coercion. In short, Verse 4 describes a brief period of living with someone else, but it suggests that something is amiss – potentially involving forced guardianship or a difficult situation. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of Judges? Explore different possible interpretations of what might have been happening?