Judges 20:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What evil is this that has taken place among you?

NIV: The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, 'What about this awful crime that was committed among you?

NASB: Then the tribes of Israel sent men through the entire tribe of Benjamin, saying, 'What is this wickedness that has taken place among you?

CSB: Then the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What is this evil act that has happened among you?

NLT: The Israelites sent messengers to the tribe of Benjamin, saying, 'What a terrible thing has been done among you!

KJV: And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?

NKJV: Then the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you?

Eleven of Israel's twelve tribes have gathered to enact justice. They seek to punish a brutal atrocity (Judges 19:22–27) committed by the men of Gibeah, which belongs to the twelfth tribe, Benjamin (Judges 19:14). Evidence has been seen, and witnesses have been heard. The decision has been made to bring vengeance on the wicked men who brought such evil to Israel. The combined forces of the nation—other than the tribe of Benjamin—are camped near to Gibeah, in one of several towns bearing the name "Mizpah."

Despite amassing troops, the other tribes don't intend to pursue a full-scale war. Before attacking, a delegation is sent to the tribe of Benjamin. The messengers will ask, very reasonably, for the rest of Benjamin's people to participate in punishing the unashamed rapists and murderers of Gibeah. If the Benjaminites agree, all Israel will be united in condemning the horrific acts committed there.

Judges 20:1–17 depicts Israel's response to an atrocity in Gibeah, a town of the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 19:22, 25). The people agree to punish Gibeah, saying their intent is to purge evil from Israel. When the Benjaminites refuse to hand over the guilty men, the other eleven tribes prepare a large army to invade. Benjamin rallies their own troops and prepares to defend the city of Gibeah.

A massive army collected from eleven of the twelve tribes of Israel gather near the town of Gibeah. Their goal is to purge evil from the land (Judges 19:22–28). The tribe of Benjamin refuses to cooperate. Instead, they assemble an army about one-fifteenth the size of Israel's army. After two failed attempts and a promise of victory from the Lord, Israel uses a false retreat and ambush strategy to destroy Gibeah. This results in the loss of Benjamin's entire army. Israel's wrath spills over onto the territory, itself. All the people, animals, and towns in the tribe's territory are attacked, and it appears that only 600 Benjaminite men survive.

In the prior chapter, Benjaminite men of the town of Gibeah committed an act of heinous sin (Judges 19:22–25). In response, the murdered woman's husband rallies Israel with a gruesome message (Judges 19:29–30). Chapter 20 depicts how the tribe of Benjamin refuses to hand over the guilty men. Civil war ensues, resulting in near-total annihilation of their tribe. This creates a new crisis in Israel, as described in chapter 21; Israel doesn't want Benjamin to become extinct.

The Book of Judges describes Israel's history from the death of Joshua to shortly before Israel's first king, Saul. Israel fails to complete God's command to purge the wicked Canaanites from the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). This results in a centuries-long cycle where Israel falls into sin and is oppressed by local enemies. After each oppression, God sends a civil-military leader, labeled using a Hebrew word loosely translated into English as "judge." These appointed rescuers would free Israel from enemy control and govern for a certain time. After each judge's death, the cycle of sin and oppression begins again. This continues until the people of Israel choose a king, during the ministry of the prophet-and-judge Samuel (1 Samuel 1—7).

Accessed 5/3/2024 3:44:30 PM