Verse 17:[1] And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?
[The old man saw him sitting, הָאֹרֵחַ[2]] One making a journey (Septuagint, Montanus); a traveler (Syriac, Jonathan, Vatablus, Arabic, Munster); one walking about (Pagnine); who had come from the way (Tigurinus).
[1] Hebrew: וַיִּשָּׂ֣א עֵינָ֗יו וַיַּ֛רְא אֶת־הָאִ֥ישׁ הָאֹרֵ֖חַ בִּרְחֹ֣ב הָעִ֑יר וַיֹּ֙אמֶר הָאִ֧ישׁ הַזָּקֵ֛ן אָ֥נָה תֵלֵ֖ךְ וּמֵאַ֥יִן תָּבֽוֹא׃
[2] אָרַח signifies to go, to wander, to journey.
Matthew Henry: 'How free and generous he was in his invitation. He did not stay till they applied to him to beg for a night's lodging; but when he saw them (Judges 19:17) enquired into their circumstances, and anticipated them with his kindness. Thus our good God answers before we call. Note, A charitable disposition expects only opportunity, not importunity, to do good, and will succour upon sight, unsought unto. Hence we read of a bountiful eye, Proverbs 22:9. If Gibeah was like Sodom, this old man was like Lot in Sodom, who sat in the gate to invite strangers, Genesis 19:1. Thus Job opened his doors to the traveller, and would not suffer him to lodge in the street…
Hebrew Highlights: None in particular this morning. Enjoy!