Definition: And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, [nay], I pray you, do not [so] wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 19:23. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling passage about a powerful man who was trying to trick the Israelites. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Story: A Powerful Man is Involved: The verse describes a man named “the man, the master of the house” who was in charge of a large group of Israelites. He was acting strangely and trying to cause trouble. He’s Trying to Trick Them: He was essentially trying to lead the Israelites into a dangerous situation by making them believe he was asking for their help or allowing him to do something wrong. He's Asking Them Not to Do Anything Wrong: The key part of the verse is that he’s explicitly telling the Israelites not to do anything foolish or wicked. He wants to protect them from harm. What it Means in Simple Terms: This man was being manipulative and trying to cause chaos. He was attempting to exploit their trust and make them think he was asking for something dangerous. He's essentially trying to start a fight or create a problem for the Israelites. The Significance: It’s about Protecting the People: The verse is a reminder that God protects His people, and He won’t allow those who try to deceive them to cause harm. It Highlights the Importance of Trust: It underscores the seriousness of trust – it's important to be cautious and discerning, not to blindly accept everything someone says or does. In short, this verse is a warning against deceit and manipulation, urging the Israelites to remain vigilant and trusting in God’s protection. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of Judges?