Judges 20 27

Judges 20:27 kjv

And the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

Judges 20:27 nkjv

So the children of Israel inquired of the LORD ( the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

Judges 20:27 niv

And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,

Judges 20:27 esv

And the people of Israel inquired of the LORD (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

Judges 20:27 nlt

The Israelites went up seeking direction from the LORD. (In those days the Ark of the Covenant of God was in Bethel,

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 27 Meaning

Judges 20:27 states that "the children of Israel inquired of the Lord (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days)." This verse explains the mechanism by which the Israelites sought divine counsel amidst the ongoing war with Benjamin. Their persistent inquiry, despite previous defeats, highlights their desperate need for God's guidance, and the parenthetical clause confirms that the Ark of the Covenant – symbolizing God's presence and authority – was available at Beth-el as the legitimate means of obtaining His will through the priestly office.

Judges 20 27 Context

Judges 20 recounts a severe civil war initiated by the outrage over the Levite's concubine, which exposed the depths of moral degradation in Israel during that era. The tribes of Israel united to punish the wicked men of Gibeah (Benjamin). Before their first two battles (v. 18, 23), Israel "inquired of the Lord" asking only, "Shall I go up?" Each time, the Lord responded affirmatively. Yet, in both instances, Israel suffered devastating defeats, losing tens of thousands of men (v. 21, 25).

The verse in question (v. 27) comes after these two crushing losses. This time, the Israelites returned to Beth-el (v. 26), where they "wept before the Lord and fasted that day until evening" (v. 26), offering burnt offerings and peace offerings. Their inquiry, noted in verse 27 and completed in verse 28, moves beyond a simple "shall we go up?" to a more profound "Shall we yet again go out to battle against our brothers, the people of Benjamin, or shall we cease?" This marks a shift from a mere strategic question to a deeper lament, implying humility and a desperate plea for victory after being severely chastened. The Ark's presence confirmed the legitimacy of their consultation and underscored God's accessibility even in their dire situation.

Judges 20 27 Word analysis

• And the children of Israel (וַֽיִּשְׁאֲל֛וּ בְּנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל vayyish'alu benei Yisrael):

  • Children of Israel: This refers to the collective twelve tribes, emphasizing their corporate identity as God's covenant people. In Judges, this often highlights their unified actions (or lack thereof) in covenant faithfulness. Here, it denotes their unified seeking of divine guidance in a national crisis.
  • Vayyish'alu: A verb form from the root שָׁאַל (sha'al), meaning "to ask," "inquire," or "consult." It implies a formal seeking of an oracle or direct answer, often through specific ritual means. This same verb was used in Judges 20:18 and 20:23 for their prior inquiries. Its repetition emphasizes the persistent, though previously unfulfilled in terms of victory, nature of their seeking God's will.

• inquired of the Lord (בִֽיהוָה biYHWH):

  • YHWH (the Lord): The sacred, personal name of God, indicating His covenant relationship with Israel. The inquiry is specifically directed to the One True God, distinct from any pagan deities. The context confirms they were seeking legitimate divine instruction from their sovereign God, not engaging in syncretistic practices. This method was the proper way for God’s people to gain direction (cf. 1 Sam 23:2,4).

• (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, (כִּי־שָׁ֖ם אֲר֣וֹן בְּרִית־הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֑ם ki sham aron berit-ha'Elohim bayyamim hahem):

  • For (כִּי ki): This conjunction introduces a causal or explanatory clause, clarifying why they could inquire of the Lord effectively: His presence was symbolized there.
  • Ark of the Covenant of God (אֲרוֹן בְּרִית־הָאֱלֹהִים aron berit-ha'Elohim): The most sacred object in Israelite worship, signifying God's presence, His throne, the repository of the Tablets of the Law (the Covenant), and the place where He communicated His will through the mercy seat and Urim and Thummim. Its presence ensured a legitimate means of inquiry. It was not a magical charm, but a symbol of God's tangible commitment to His people, a reminder of His dwelling among them. Its location in Beth-el (20:26) indicates it was temporarily moved from its primary resting place (Shiloh) for this national crisis.
  • Was there (שָׁ֖ם sham): Referring to Beth-el (mentioned in Judges 20:26). Beth-el, meaning "House of God," held historical significance as a place where Jacob encountered God (Gen 28:10-22). Its role here underscores its continued religious importance as a place of divine encounter.
  • In those days (בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֑ם bayyamim hahem): A common temporal marker in Judges. It specifically situates this event within the period of the judges, which was characterized by significant spiritual and political disarray (Judg 21:25, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes"). Some scholars suggest this phrase might subtly hint that the Ark was not always at Beth-el or consistently available for public inquiry in the same manner later in Israel's history, as its location changed before eventually settling in Jerusalem. This underscores the extraordinary nature of this national convocation and specific use of the Ark.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Inquired of the Lord" linked with "the ark of the covenant of God was there": This juxtaposition explains the proper method of seeking divine guidance. It wasn't arbitrary; it was done through established means, using the primary physical representation of God's active presence and covenant faithfulness within Israel. This setup ensured the legitimacy of the consultation process, highlighting that their problem wasn't a lack of access to God, but perhaps their spiritual state or God's higher purposes.
  • Repetition of Inquiry despite Defeat: The third inquiry underscores a critical point: Israel, though suffering, had not abandoned seeking God. Their persistence indicates faith in His ability to guide, even if their prior interpretations or application of His will had not yielded desired results. Their subsequent humility (v. 26) suggests a deeper, more contrite heart compared to previous, more casual inquiries.

Judges 20 27 Bonus section

The High Priest Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, ministered before the Ark in Judges 20:28. This detail emphasizes the legitimate chain of command in seeking God's will. Phinehas himself had shown zeal for the Lord's purity earlier (Num 25:6-13), underscoring a theme in Judges of a few faithful individuals (like judges) amidst widespread apostasy. His presence during this inquiry further authenticates the Israelite's proper procedural attempts to communicate with God, highlighting that the problem lay not in the method of inquiry but perhaps in God's sovereign purpose to humble Israel further, or their previous lack of full corporate repentance for the deep-seated sins (e.g., the outrage at Gibeah) that had plunged them into this civil strife. This narrative demonstrates God's mysterious ways in warfare – victory is not solely based on numbers or even proper ritual, but on His sovereign purpose and the genuine, repentant state of His people.

Judges 20 27 Commentary

Judges 20:27 serves as a crucial parenthetical clarification regarding the proper, ritualistic method through which Israel sought divine will during the chaotic civil war against Benjamin. After two humiliating defeats despite prior affirmative divine answers (Judges 20:18, 23), the Israelite tribes humbled themselves at Beth-el with fasting and sacrifices (v. 26). This verse specifically points out that the legitimacy and efficacy of their third inquiry stemmed from the Ark of the Covenant being present.

The Ark's location at Beth-el signifies a deliberate decision by the leaders to bring the central symbol of God's dwelling and covenant presence to the place of national intercession. It was not merely a ceremonial artifact; it was intrinsically linked to God's communication with His people, serving as His "throne" and the source of Urim and Thummim consultation through the high priest. The phrase "in those days" situates this highly organized and formal religious act within a period notorious for moral relativism and disunity, paradoxically highlighting moments of sincere collective seeking for God amidst overall societal decay. While they had the right process (inquiring with the Ark) and had demonstrated great faith and repentance (v. 26), God’s timing and their learning from adversity were part of a larger plan. The previous failures taught them that simply receiving an "okay to proceed" wasn't a guarantee of victory; true victory comes from alignment with God's complete will, which often involves profound humility and corporate spiritual discipline.