Judges 19:4: Reconciliation Festivities

Verse 4:[1] 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.

[And he embraced (thus Pagnine), וַיֶּחֱזַק־בּוֹ[2]] And he seized him (Vatablus), or, upon him (Montanus); he retained (received with hospitality [Arabic], firmly apprehended [Drusius]) him (Septuagint, Syriac, Tigurinus).

[Eating, etc.] That is, they were cheerfully feasting. A common Periphrasis here and elsewhere (Junius, Malvenda).

[1] Hebrew: וַיֶּחֱזַק־בּ֤וֹ חֹֽתְנוֹ֙ אֲבִ֣י הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ה וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב אִתּ֖וֹ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֑ים וַיֹּאכְלוּ֙ וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ וַיָּלִ֖ינוּ שָֽׁם׃

[2] חָזַק signifies to be or make strong, or to hold fast.