And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done 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?
- BSB And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred 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 shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;
- Josh 22:13–16And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
- Matt 18:15–18Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
- Rom 12:18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
- Deut 20:10When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.
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.