Judges 19:21

So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21) Gave provender unto the asses.—Notice the humane Eastern custom of attending first the wants of the animals.

They washed their feet.—One of the first necessities for personal comfort after a journey in hot countries, and where only sandals are worn (Genesis 18:4; Genesis 24:32; Genesis 43:24; Luke 7:44; John 13:5; 1Timothy 5:10).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

17:7-13 Micah thought it was a sign of God's favour to him and his images, that a Levite should come to his door. Thus those who please themselves with their own delusions, if Providence unexpectedly bring any thing to their hands that further them in their evil way, are apt from thence to think that God is pleased with them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The house of the Lord - Probably at Shiloh (marginal references). The Levite was probably one of those who ministered at the tabernacle. His two donkeys and servant show him to have been in good circumstances, and he had a home of his own.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20. only lodge not in the street—As this is no rare or singular circumstance in the East, the probability is that the old man's earnest dissuasive from such a procedure arose from his acquaintance with the infamous practices of the place.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

They washed their feet, as they used to do to travellers in these hot countries, Genesis 18:4 19:2 24:32, &c.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

So he brought him into his house,.... Showed him the way to it, and in a kind and friendly manner introduced him, and bid him welcome:

and gave provender unto the asses; this is mentioned first, it being then perhaps, as now, the first thing that a careful man is concerned for, to see that his cattle is taken care of, and then himself; and such a method this ancient good man took with his guest:

and they washed their feet; which was commonly done to strangers in those hot countries, and was very refreshing, see Genesis 18:4.

and did eat and drink; sat down at table and supped with him.

Geneva Study Bible

So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Judges 19:21

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

He then took him into his house, mixed fodder for his asses (יבול from בּלל, a denom. verb from בּליל, to make a mixture, to give fodder to the beasts), and waited upon his guest with washing of feet, food, and drink (see Genesis 18:4., Judges 19:2).