Judges 20 8

Judges 20:8 kjv

And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.

Judges 20:8 nkjv

So all the people arose as one man, saying, "None of us will go to his tent, nor will any turn back to his house;

Judges 20:8 niv

All the men rose up together as one, saying, "None of us will go home. No, not one of us will return to his house.

Judges 20:8 esv

And all the people arose as one man, saying, "None of us will go to his tent, and none of us will return to his house.

Judges 20:8 nlt

And all the people rose to their feet in unison and declared, "None of us will return home! No, not even one of us!

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 8 Meaning

Judges 20:8 describes the spontaneous and unanimous resolve of all the Israelite tribes, who had gathered in Mizpah, to not return to their homes until the heinous crime committed in Gibeah against the Levite's concubine was addressed. It signifies their complete commitment to seeking justice and purity within the nation, prioritizing communal accountability over personal comfort and domestic security.

Judges 20 8 Context

Judges 20:8 takes place immediately after the Levite from Gibeah presents the horrifying dismembered remains of his concubine to all the tribes of Israel, along with his accusation of the Benjamites' atrocity (Judges 19:22-30). This act served as a summons, creating a visceral sense of shock and outrage across the nation. The assembly at Mizpah, including "four hundred thousand foot soldiers who drew the sword," was not just a gathering, but a call to justice (Jdg 20:1-2). This verse captures the moment of their unanimous decision and unwavering commitment to united action before any specific strategy or military plan is formed. It stands as a stark contrast to the often fragmented and individualistic actions seen throughout the period of the Judges, highlighting a rare moment of unified Israelite resolve in response to a grave moral offense that threatened the very fabric of their covenant society.

Judges 20 8 Word analysis

• And all the people (וְכׇל־הָעָם֙ - wĕkāl-hāʿām):

  • וְכׇל־ (wĕkāl-): "And all", indicates universality.
  • הָעָם֙ (hāʿām): "the people". This refers to the collective tribes of Israel assembled at Mizpah, encompassing nearly the entire nation. It highlights the widespread knowledge of the atrocity and the depth of collective outrage, signifying national, not just tribal, solidarity. This is a crucial distinction in the fractured period of Judges.

• arose (קָ֠מוּ - qāmū):

  • From the root קוּם (qūm), meaning "to rise," "stand up," "arise."
  • Signifies a decisive physical and moral act. They weren't merely passive listeners but were moved to action, demonstrating a shared commitment to taking a stand. It's a spontaneous and powerful response.

• as one man (כְּאִישׁ אֶחָ֕ד - kĕʾîš ʾeḥāḏ):

  • כְּ (kĕ-): "as," indicating similitude or manner.
  • אִישׁ (ʾîš): "man."
  • אֶחָ֕ד (ʾeḥāḏ): "one," "unified."
  • This is a strong Hebrew idiom for complete unity, unanimity, and singular purpose. Despite hundreds of thousands of individuals, their collective will and intention were as if expressed by a single person, emphasizing extraordinary solidarity in decision-making. This reflects a deep and rare agreement concerning the gravity of the sin.

• saying (לֵאמֹ֑ר - lēʾmōr):

  • A common introductory particle in Hebrew to introduce direct speech or a solemn declaration. It denotes a pronouncement made with authority or firm intent.

• None of us will return to his tent (אִ֨ישׁ לֹא־יֵלֵ֧ךְ לְאׇהֳלֹ֛ו - ʾîš lōʾ-yēlēḵ lĕʾāholōw):

  • אִ֨ישׁ (ʾîš): "man" or "anyone."
  • לֹא־יֵלֵ֧ךְ (lōʾ-yēlēḵ): "will not go" or "will not return." A negative future tense verb, expressing firm determination.
  • לְאׇהֳלֹ֛ו (lĕʾāholōw): "to his tent." "Tent" (אֹהֶל - ʾōhel) symbolizes home, domesticity, safety, and personal comfort in the nomadic and semi-nomadic Israelite context. This phrase is a vow to suspend all normal life and personal pursuits until the crisis is resolved.

• nor will any of us go to his house (וְאִ֕ישׁ לֹא־יָס֖וּר לְבֵיתֹֽו - wĕʾîš lōʾ-yāsûr lĕḇêtōw):

  • וְאִ֕ישׁ (wĕʾîš): "and anyone."
  • לֹא־יָס֖וּר (lōʾ-yāsûr): "will not turn aside" or "will not depart." Similar to "not go," emphasizing a refusal to deviate from their purpose.
  • לְבֵיתֹֽו (lĕḇêtōw): "to his house." "House" (בַּיִת - bayit) is a direct synonym for "tent" in this context, reinforcing the oath and total commitment. This dual expression underscores the depth of their resolve: they will not resume daily routines or private lives while such an outrage persists within Israel.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And all the people arose as one man, saying": This opening segment highlights unprecedented unity and a collective, vocalized commitment. In an era where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 17:6, 21:25), this unanimity to confront evil stands out as a powerful, albeit brief, manifestation of national conscience guided by a common understanding of covenant law. Their spontaneous uprising shows moral outrage overriding tribal distinctions.
  • "None of us will return to his tent, nor will any of us go to his house": This dual negation acts as a solemn, public vow or oath, sacrificing personal comfort and security for the sake of national purity and justice. It signifies absolute dedication to the task at hand, putting the public good (removing "evil from your midst" per Deut 13:5) above all private interests. It communicates a high degree of gravity and determination, reflecting their belief that the unpunished crime posed a threat to the entire covenant community.

Judges 20 8 Bonus section

The spontaneous unity observed in Judges 20:8 stands in stark contrast to the frequent tribal rivalries and disunity that characterize much of the book of Judges. This singular resolve might have stemmed from the direct, horrifying presentation of the Levite's concubine's dismembered body (Judges 19:29), which acted as an immediate and undeniable call to covenant fidelity. The lack of a king during this period (Jdg 21:25) typically led to anarchy, yet in this instance, a grave moral offense provided an impromptu catalyst for national consensus, bypassing formal leadership structures. This act of collective vow also foreshadows the future establishment of the monarchy, where a central authority would ideally be responsible for upholding justice and national unity. The profound determination "not to return home" signifies an Old Testament equivalent of "burning the bridges," ensuring no retreat until the grave issue was resolved, even at great cost.

Judges 20 8 Commentary

Judges 20:8 marks a pivotal moment, showcasing a rare national unity in the tumultuous era of the Judges. Faced with a horrific act of wickedness that shamed all Israel, the tribes instinctively gathered, and with one voice, committed themselves entirely to addressing the outrage. Their vow to forgo returning home underscores a deep moral conviction: they understood that such an abominable sin, left unchecked, would defile the entire nation and violate the very covenant with God. This verse reveals a fleeting glimpse of communal accountability and the prioritizing of national righteousness, even above the safety and comfort of personal dwellings. It highlights the power of shared outrage to forge unity and resolve, setting the stage for decisive, if imperfect, action against the wicked within their own borders. Though subsequent actions might prove flawed, this initial, fervent commitment reveals a desire, however latent, for justice rooted in God's Law.