And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you?
Parallel translations
- WEB The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What wickedness is this that is happen 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?
- 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?
- NLT The Israelites sent messengers to the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What a terrible thing has been done among you!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Israel sends messengers throughout Benjamin demanding an account of the wickedness. They seek justice before resorting to war.
Overview
Rather than attacking outright, the tribes first confront Benjamin about the crime in their midst. This appeal reflects a measure of restraint and a desire to resolve the matter rightly. Benjamin's response will determine whether civil war can be avoided.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Deut 13:14then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you,
- Josh 22:13–16The Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest to the land of Gilead, to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
- Matt 18:15–18If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
- Rom 12:18If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
- Deut 20:10When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Israel's cycle of sin and rescue through flawed deliverers cries out for a Savior who never fails — the true and final Judge and Deliverer who saves his people not for a season but forever.
How Judges 20:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.