לוּן

From the study of Psalm 91:1

Range of meaning

To lodge or spend the night (Genesis 19:2; 24:23; Judges 19), and by extension to remain or abide (Psalm 25:13; Proverbs 19:23). The intensive-reflexive form here appears elsewhere only in Job 39:28, where the eagle 'dwells and makes its lodging' on the rock.

Against the English

'Abide' (KJV, BSB, ESV) and 'rest' (WEB, NIV) are acceptable but lose the overnight picture. NASB's 'lodge' and YLT's 'lodgeth habitually' keep it.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ordinary travel vocabulary: a traveller looking for somewhere safe to spend the night. In the ancient Near East night was the time of greatest danger (bandits, wild animals, and the demons and plagues feared in the dark). Psalm 91:5-6 names exactly these.

From the study of Ruth 1:16

Range of meaning

To spend the night, lodge overnight, stay for the night, especially on a journey (Gen 19:2; 24:23–25; Judg 19:4–20). It can be extended to 'abide, remain' in poetry (Ps 25:13; Job 19:4). It is distinct from yāshav, 'dwell, sit, settle'.

Against the English

KJV/ESV 'lodge' and NIV/WEB 'stay' keep the overnight, temporary sense. BSB and NLT 'live' turn it into settled residence.

How it drifted

Modern translations that aim for a natural, quotable line chose 'live', partly because the verse is so often used outside its narrative (for example in weddings), where 'lodge' sounds odd.

Used elsewhere in the period

Genesis 24:23: 'Is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night (lālîn)?' Judges 19: the Levite looking for a place to spend the night (lûn) in Gibeah, a story about the dangers of lodging as an outsider. The Septuagint renders it aulizomai, 'to bivouac or stay overnight'.

From the study of Proverbs 19:23

Range of meaning

To lodge or spend the night (Gen 19:2; 24:23; Judg 19). It is often used of travellers or of someone exposed overnight. By extension it means to remain or abide (Ps 25:13; Job 41:22 [Heb 41:14]; Ps 91:1, where the reflexive form means "lodge" in the Almighty's shadow).

Against the English

KJV "abide" and YLT "remaineth" take the extended sense. BSB/NIV/ESV "rest" and WEB "rests" soften it. None of them spells out the night-time image that the verb most naturally carries.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ps 91:1, 5–6 links "lodging" under God's protection with not fearing "the terror of the night" and "the pestilence that stalks in darkness". Ps 25:13 uses the same verb of the man who fears Yahweh. Prov 3:24 promises sweet, unafraid sleep to the one who keeps wisdom.