Judges 20 18

Judges 20:18 kjv

And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.

Judges 20:18 nkjv

Then the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God to inquire of God. They said, "Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin?" The LORD said, "Judah first!"

Judges 20:18 niv

The Israelites went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They said, "Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Benjamites?" The LORD replied, "Judah shall go first."

Judges 20:18 esv

The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, "Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?" And the LORD said, "Judah shall go up first."

Judges 20:18 nlt

Before the battle the Israelites went to Bethel and asked God, "Which tribe should go first to attack the people of Benjamin?" The LORD answered, "Judah is to go first."

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 18 Meaning

Judges 20:18 describes the moment the collective tribes of Israel, driven by their intent to wage war against Benjamin for the atrocity in Gibeah, sought divine direction. They ascended to Bethel, a historically significant sanctuary, and formally inquired of God concerning which tribe should initiate the battle. The Lord responded by designating Judah to lead the charge. This act signifies the Israelites' recognition of God's authority in military undertakings, even within the context of internal tribal conflict.

Judges 20 18 Context

Judges chapter 20 is part of the final section of the book of Judges (chapters 17-21), which details the moral decay and chaos that plagued Israel in the absence of a king and pervasive apostasy. The immediate preceding events in Judges 19 recount the horrifying rape and murder of a Levite's concubine by the men of Gibeah in Benjaminite territory, and the Levite's shocking dismemberment of her body to send a message to all tribes. This brutal act unified the other tribes of Israel in righteous indignation and a demand for justice. The Benjaminites, however, refused to surrender the offenders. Judges 20:18 describes the moment before the first actual battle, where the Israelite coalition, having assembled and vowed to act, consulted God for strategic guidance on who should lead their punitive war against a fellow tribe. This collective seeking of God's will marks a significant, albeit incomplete, turn towards recognizing divine authority amidst the era's widespread lawlessness.

Judges 20 18 Word analysis

• And the people of Israel (וַיָּקֻ֤מוּ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל - wayyāqūmū bənē yiśrāʾēl):
  • וַיָּקֻ֤מוּ (wayyāqūmū): A form of the verb qum, "to rise," "stand up," "arise." It indicates a decisive, united movement or initiative. It's a purposeful assembly for action.
  • בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (bənē yiśrāʾēl): "Sons of Israel" or "people of Israel." This refers to the collective twelve tribes, highlighting the widespread nature of their indignation and unified resolve against Benjamin. It signifies national, not just local, involvement in this grave crisis.
• arose and went up (וַיַּעֲל֣וּ - wayyaʿalū):
  • A form of the verb ʿālâ, "to go up," "ascend." It implies a movement to a higher place, often geographically (as Bethel was likely elevated) but also carrying spiritual connotations, like going up to a sanctuary.
• to Bethel (בֵּֽית־אֵל - Bêṯ-ʾĒl):
  • Literally "House of God." A site with profound significance in Israelite history, associated with Jacob's dream and divine encounters (Gen 28) and altars to the Lord (Gen 35). Its designation as a place of inquiry for a national crisis reflects its importance as a sacred sanctuary where God could be consulted. While the Ark of the Covenant was usually at Shiloh at this time (Jos 18:1, Jdg 18:31, 1 Sam 1:3), Bethel served as a prominent cultic center or an emergency gathering point where priestly inquiry was possible. Some scholars debate the precise location of the Tabernacle during parts of the Judges period, with Bethel serving as a prominent religious site.
• and inquired of God (וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ֙ בֵּאלֹהִ֔ים - wayyišəʾalū bēʾlōhîm):
  • וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ֙ (wayyišəʾalū): From the verb šāʾal, "to ask," "inquire," "consult." This is a formal inquiry, typically through priestly means (like the Urim and Thummim, cf. Exod 28:30; Num 27:21), seeking divine direction or approval.
  • בֵּאלֹהִ֔ים (bēʾlōhîm): "Of God." Notably, the initial inquiry is "of Elohim" (a general term for God), implying a more universal recognition of divine authority rather than exclusively Yahweh (the covenant name). This phrase can be interpreted as "inquired of God" or "inquired at the house of God" (if Bethel functions as the object of the inquiry itself). However, the response in the verse uses YHWH ("the LORD"), indicating the specific covenant God of Israel answered. This detail may highlight that even amidst Israel's disarray, the Lord was the ultimate authority they sought.
• saying (לֵאמֹ֑ר - lēʾmōr):
  • "Saying," "to say." A common introductory particle for direct speech in Hebrew narratives.
• "Who shall go up first for us (מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה־לָּנוּ֩ בָרִֽאשֹׁנָה֙ - mî yaʿaleh-llānû bārīšōnāh):
  • מִ֣י (mî): "Who?" The interrogative pronoun. Their question isn't if they should go, but who should lead, suggesting a prior decision to go to war, only seeking tactical divine appointment. This highlights their resolve, though it may also betray a presumptuousness about the righteousness of their cause.
  • יַעֲלֶה־לָּנוּ֩ (yaʿaleh-llānû): "Shall go up for us." Refers to leading the assault.
  • בָרִֽאשֹׁנָה֙ (bārīšōnāh): "At the first," "firstly," "first." Designating the tribe to lead the vanguard.
• to attack the people of Benjamin?" (לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה עִ֖ם בְּנֵ֥י בִנְיָמִֽן - lammilḥāmāh ʿim bənê Binyāmīn):
  • לַמִּלְחָמָה֙ (lammilḥāmāh): "For the war" or "to battle." Directly states their purpose.
  • עִ֖ם בְּנֵ֥י בִנְיָמִֽן (ʿim bənê Binyāmīn): "With the sons of Benjamin." The tragic irony of a civil war is underlined here; the target is a brother tribe, part of God's covenant people.
• And the Lord said (וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֑ה - wayyōʾmer YHWH):
  • וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (wayyōʾmer): "And He said." Introduces the direct divine response.
  • יְהוָ֑ה (YHWH): The tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God (often rendered "the LORD" in English Bibles). This specifies that it was the God of Israel who responded, validating the inquiry and its result. The direct mention of YHWH contrasts with the Israelites' earlier inquiry to "Elohim."
• "Judah shall go up first." (יְהוּדָ֖ה בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָה - Yehûḏāh bārīšōnāh):
  • יְהוּדָ֖ה (Yehûḏāh): The tribe of Judah. This appointment echoes Jdg 1:2 where Judah was similarly chosen by God to lead the conquest against the Canaanites after Joshua's death. It anticipates Judah's future prominence in Israelite history, including the Davidic monarchy and the lineage of Christ. This also emphasizes divine sovereignty and specific election, even amidst a highly flawed national context.
  • בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָה (bārīšōnāh): "First." Reaffirms Judah's role as the leading vanguard.

Judges 20 18 Bonus section

The contrast between the Israelites' seeking God's counsel here and their complete lack of such consultation in the initial handling of the Gibeah outrage itself (leading to the catastrophe) is striking. It suggests a reactive, rather than proactive, piety. They inquire for a strategy in conflict, not for whether the war itself is just or preventable. This passage also subtly introduces a tragic tension: the Lord's chosen leadership for a battle that ultimately leads to immense devastation within His own people, reflecting the painful consequences of their widespread unfaithfulness and sin. The selection of Judah reminds the reader of the prophetic blessings from Genesis and points forward to the greater king and leader who would arise from this tribe, highlighting God's faithfulness to His promises even when His people fail.

Judges 20 18 Commentary

Judges 20:18 reveals a crucial intersection of Israel's depravity and their residual faith during the anarchic period of the Judges. Despite the horrific crime and their seemingly vengeful intentions, the Israelite tribes demonstrate a profound understanding that even in matters of war—especially against fellow Israelites—divine sanction and guidance were paramount. Their choice of Bethel, a traditional site for encountering God, and their formal inquiry using the likely means of priestly consultation, underscore a lingering belief in God's active involvement in their affairs. God's response, "Judah shall go up first," is significant, mirroring the initial leadership role given to Judah in Judges 1:2. This divine appointment reiterates Judah's prophetic destiny as the leading tribe, anticipating the Davidic covenant and the ultimate leadership of Christ. The interaction highlights that while Israel was in spiritual decline, God remained accessible to those who sought Him, even if their understanding or application of His will was flawed. The verse illustrates the constant tension between human impulse and divine direction, a theme woven throughout biblical narrative.