Judges 20 14

Judges 20:14 kjv

But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.

Judges 20:14 nkjv

Instead, the children of Benjamin gathered together from their cities to Gibeah, to go to battle against the children of Israel.

Judges 20:14 niv

From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites.

Judges 20:14 esv

Then the people of Benjamin came together out of the cities to Gibeah to go out to battle against the people of Israel.

Judges 20:14 nlt

Instead, they came from their towns and gathered at Gibeah to fight the Israelites.

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 14 Meaning

This verse starkly portrays the Tribe of Benjamin consolidating its forces at Gibeah to engage in civil war against the combined tribes of Israel. It marks a defiant stand by Benjamin, choosing to defend the perpetrators of a heinous crime rather than surrendering them for justice. This action set the stage for one of the most tragic and devastating internal conflicts in Israel's history, born out of profound moral decay and a rejection of divine standards within the covenant nation.

Judges 20 14 Context

Judges 20:14 is situated at a critical juncture in the final, and most morally dark, narrative arc of the book of Judges (chapters 19-21). Following the horrific atrocity committed by men of Gibeah against the Levite's concubine, and Benjamin's subsequent refusal to surrender the culprits, the other eleven tribes of Israel assembled in outrage and determination to administer justice. This verse describes Benjamin's unified and defiant response: instead of handing over the wicked, they mobilized their entire tribe for war against their covenant brethren. The events take place during a period of deep spiritual decline in Israel, characterized by the phrase "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 17:6, 21:25), a vacuum of centralized righteous leadership, and pervasive idolatry and moral depravity throughout the land. Benjamin's choice to defend evildoers led to a devastating civil war, showcasing the catastrophic consequences of spiritual apostasy and societal breakdown when divine law and justice are forsaken among God's covenant people.

Judges 20 14 Word analysis

• And the children of Benjamin: (Hebrew: `וּבְנֵ֤י בִנְיָמִן֙` - ūvenê Binyamin) This identifies the specific Israelite tribe, direct descendants of Benjamin, one of Jacob's twelve sons. The term "children of" highlights the familial connection, underscoring the tragic nature of the impending conflict between brothers of the same national covenant. The tribe was historically known for its fierce warriors and skill with slings and bows (Judg 3:15, 20:16; 1 Chron 8:40, 12:2), but here their strength is arrayed against their own.
• gathered themselves together: (Hebrew: `נִקְהֲלוּ֙` - niqhelû) This verb indicates a deliberate and organized assembly, typically for a significant purpose such as war. It signifies a collective decision and commitment on the part of Benjamin. This gathering was not forced but willingly entered into by the tribe, revealing their unified defiance and corporate responsibility for defending the perpetrators of the Gibeah atrocity.
• out of the cities: (Hebrew: `מִן־הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים` - min-he‘ārîm) This implies a complete mobilization of the tribe from all its population centers, not just Gibeah. It indicates the extent of Benjamin's resolve to oppose the other tribes, showcasing widespread tribal complicity or solidarity with the actions committed in Gibeah, regardless of the severity of the sin.
• unto Gibeah: (Hebrew: `אֶל־הַגִּבְעָ֔ה` - ʾel-haGiv‘â) Gibeah (meaning "hill") was the very city where the horrendous crime took place. By making Gibeah their rallying point, Benjamin essentially made the place of the crime their fortress and symbol of resistance. This act signified their open refusal to uphold justice or acknowledge the severity of the wickedness within their own boundaries. It highlighted their preference for protecting their kinsmen over covenant purity and accountability.
• to go out to battle: (Hebrew: `לָצֵאת֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה` - lāṣēt lammiḥḥāmâ) This phrase makes explicit their intent: military confrontation. It leaves no room for negotiation or compromise, confirming their decision to engage in war. Their purpose was not self-defense against an invading foreign enemy but offensive action against their fellow Israelites, highlighting the complete breakdown of moral and national order.
• against the children of Israel: (Hebrew: `לִקְרַת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל` - liqraṯ benê Yiśrāʾēl) This is the tragic core of the verse. Benjamin was mobilizing not against an external enemy, but against the united "children of Israel," their covenant brothers. This internal conflict, nation against nation within itself, symbolizes the ultimate moral decay described throughout the book of Judges. It reflects the disintegration of their shared identity and commitment to God's law.

Words-group Analysis

• "And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together...to go out to battle against the children of Israel": This full phrase concisely captures the central conflict. It highlights Benjamin's proactive decision to assemble their entire fighting force for fratricidal war, directly defying the calls for justice from the rest of Israel. It portrays a unified tribal resolve to protect the wicked rather than submit to the covenant's demand for righteousness. This act signifies the ultimate fragmentation of the Israelite identity at this point, where family ties and tribal loyalties supersede the deeper covenant loyalty to God and His standards of justice.

Judges 20 14 Bonus section

The Benjamite defiance described in this verse is not merely an act of tribal stubbornness; it reflects a deep spiritual blindness. The tribe of Benjamin, especially Gibeah, appears to have completely lost its moral compass, unable to discern the horror of the crime or the necessity of expelling wickedness from their midst. This resistance to purification against the united demand of their brethren can be seen as a direct challenge to God's holy character, which demands justice and accountability. The devastating outcome of this civil war serves as a potent reminder of the corporate consequences of sin, not just individual, when a community or nation refuses to uphold righteousness and rejects calls for justice based on divine law. This historical event foreshadows the later division of the kingdom of Israel, highlighting a persistent struggle with internal conflict and disunity among God's people when they drift from His statutes.

Judges 20 14 Commentary

Judges 20:14 presents a profoundly tragic moment in Israel's history. Benjamin's defiant gathering at Gibeah epitomizes the moral chaos and self-will prevalent in the era of Judges. Instead of fulfilling their obligation as a covenant tribe to purify themselves by delivering the wicked, they chose solidarity in sin, leading to a civil war that nearly annihilated them. This verse underscores how, when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 17:6, 21:25), tribal loyalties tragically superseded God's commands and led to unimaginable national devastation. It is a sobering warning against unchecked sin and the societal breakdown it inevitably causes, even within God's own people.