CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 21:20 So they commanded the Benjamites: "Go, hide in the vineyards</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/21-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/07_Jdg_21_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 21:20 - Wives for the Benjamites" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So they commanded the Benjamites: Go, hide in the vineyards" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/21-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/21-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/21-19.htm" title="Judges 21:19">◄</a> Judges 21:20 <a href="/judges/21-21.htm" title="Judges 21:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So they instructed the Benjamites, saying, &#8220Go and hide in the vineyards<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They told the men of Benjamin who still needed wives, “Go and hide in the vineyards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they commanded the people of Benjamin, saying, “Go and lie in ambush in the vineyards<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they commanded the Benjamites: “Go, hide in the vineyards<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Therefore they instructed the children of Benjamin, saying, “Go, lie in wait in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they commanded the sons of Benjamin, saying, “Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And they commanded the sons of Benjamin, saying, &#8220Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they commanded the sons of Benjamin, saying, “Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they commanded the sons of Benjamin, saying, “Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So they instructed the sons of Benjamin, saying, “Go, set an ambush in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they commanded the Benjaminites, “Go and hide in the vineyards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they commanded the Benjaminites: &#8220Go and hide in the vineyards. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The leaders told the men of Benjamin who still did not have wives: Go to Shiloh and hide in the vineyards near the festival. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So they told the men of Benjamin, "Hide in the vineyards and<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They told the Benjaminites, "Go and hide in the vineyards <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So they told the descendants of Benjamin, "Go and hide in the vineyards. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they commanded the Benjamites: ?Go, hide in the vineyards<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So they commanded the Benjaminites, "Go hide in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They commanded the people of Benjamin, saying, "Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go, and lie in wait in the vineyards;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, “Go and lie in wait in the vineyards, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they command the sons of Benjamin, saying, “Go—and you have laid wait in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they command the sons of Benjamin, saying, 'Go -- and ye have laid wait in the vineyards,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they commanded the sons of Benjamin, saying, Go, and lie in wait in the vineyards;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they commanded the children of Benjamin, and said: Go, and lie hid in the vineyards, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they instructed the sons of Benjamin, and they said: “Go, and hide in the vineyards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />And they instructed the Benjaminites, “Go and set an ambush in the vineyards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And they instructed the Benjaminites, saying, “Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So they commanded the Benjamites, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they commanded the children of Benjamin and they said to them: “Go lie in wait in the vineyards<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying: 'Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they charged the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/21-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=6589" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/21.htm">Wives for the Benjamites</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>“But look,” they said, “there is a yearly feast to the LORD in Shiloh, which is north of Bethel east of the road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah.” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: way·ṣaw (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">So they commanded</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Benjamites:</a> <a href="/hebrew/1144.htm" title="1144: ḇin·yā·min (N-proper-ms) -- From ben and yamiyn; son of right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lə·ḵū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">“Go,</a> <a href="/hebrew/693.htm" title="693: wa·’ă·raḇ·tem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To lie in wait. A primitive root; to lurk.">hide</a> <a href="/hebrew/3754.htm" title="3754: bak·kə·rā·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A vineyard. From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a garden or vineyard.">in the vineyards</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>and watch. When you see the daughters of Shiloh come out to perform their dances, each of you is to come out of the vineyards, catch for himself a wife from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-48.htm">Judges 20:48</a></span><br />And the men of Israel turned back against the other Benjamites and put to the sword all the cities, including the animals and everything else they found. And they burned down all the cities in their path.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/19-29.htm">Judges 19:29-30</a></span><br />When he reached his house, he picked up a knife, took hold of his concubine, cut her limb by limb into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout the territory of Israel. / And everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has been seen or done from the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until this day. Think it over, take counsel, and speak up!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5</a></span><br />Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/18-1.htm">Joshua 18:1</a></span><br />Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/11-7.htm">1 Samuel 11:7</a></span><br />He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-24.htm">1 Samuel 14:24-30</a></span><br />Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. / Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. / And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-16.htm">1 Kings 12:16</a></span><br />When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/30-6.htm">2 Chronicles 30:6</a></span><br />At the command of the king, the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his officials, which read: “Children of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that He may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped the grasp of the kings of Assyria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/9-9.htm">Hosea 9:9</a></span><br />They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-9.htm">Hosea 10:9</a></span><br />Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-9.htm">Matthew 22:9</a></span><br />Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Matthew 25:1-13</a></span><br />“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-23.htm">Luke 14:23</a></span><br />So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-4.htm">John 4:4-26</a></span><br />Now He had to pass through Samaria. / So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. / Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-19.htm">Acts 15:19-21</a></span><br />It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. / Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. / For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/21-18.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/21-13.htm">Benjaminites</a> <a href="/judges/21-13.htm">Benjamites</a> <a href="/judges/21-18.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/9-29.htm">Command</a> <a href="/judges/21-10.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/judges/6-11.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/joshua/13-6.htm">Instructed</a> <a href="/judges/19-20.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/judges/20-33.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/judges/14-5.htm">Vine-Gardens</a> <a href="/judges/15-5.htm">Vineyards</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/judges/21-2.htm">Waiting</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/21-21.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/21-23.htm">Benjaminites</a> <a href="/judges/21-23.htm">Benjamites</a> <a href="/judges/21-23.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-14.htm">Command</a> <a href="/ruth/2-9.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-17.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/ruth/2-15.htm">Instructed</a> <a href="/ruth/3-7.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/ruth/3-7.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/judges/21-21.htm">Vine-Gardens</a> <a href="/judges/21-21.htm">Vineyards</a> <a href="/ruth/1-13.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-23.htm">Waiting</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/21-1.htm">The people bewail the desolation of Benjamin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/21-8.htm">By the destruction of Jabesh Gilead they provide them four hundred wives.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/21-16.htm">They advise the remainder to surprise the virgins that danced at Shiloh</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So they commanded the Benjamites:</b><br>The context of this command is the aftermath of a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes. The war was sparked by a grievous crime committed in Gibeah, a Benjamite city, leading to the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites had sworn not to give their daughters to the Benjamites as wives, which created a crisis for the survival of the tribe. The elders of Israel devised a plan to provide wives for the remaining Benjamite men. This command reflects the urgency and desperation to preserve the tribe, highlighting the importance of tribal continuity in ancient Israelite society. The command also underscores the authority of the tribal leaders in directing the actions of the people.<p><b>Go, hide in the vineyards:</b><br>The instruction to hide in the vineyards is strategic, as vineyards would provide cover and concealment. Vineyards were common in the region, and their presence indicates the agricultural practices of the time. This setting is significant because it reflects the use of the natural landscape for tactical purposes. The vineyards would have been located near Shiloh, where the annual festival was taking place. This command is part of a larger plan to allow the Benjamites to capture wives during the festival, circumventing the oath made by the Israelites. The use of hiding and ambush tactics is reminiscent of other biblical narratives where God’s people employ unconventional methods to achieve their goals, such as Gideon’s battle against the Midianites (Judges 7). This phrase also highlights the tension between human schemes and divine providence in the biblical narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/b/benjamites.htm">Benjamites</a></b><br>The tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, which faced near extinction due to a civil war with the other Israelite tribes.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The collective tribes of Israel who, after a conflict with the Benjamites, sought to find wives for the remaining men of Benjamin to preserve the tribe.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/v/vineyards.htm">Vineyards</a></b><br>The location where the Benjamites were instructed to hide, playing a strategic role in the plan to find wives for them.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/civil_war.htm">Civil War</a></b><br>The internal conflict between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes, which led to the near destruction of Benjamin.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/shiloh.htm">Shiloh</a></b><br>The place where the annual festival of the LORD was held, near which the Benjamites were to find wives.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/restoration_and_redemption.htm">Restoration and Redemption</a></b><br>Despite the severe consequences of sin and conflict, God provides a way for restoration. The Benjamites' survival and eventual restoration remind us of God's grace and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The Israelites took responsibility for the survival of the Benjamites, teaching us the importance of caring for and restoring those who have fallen or are in need within our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/strategic_obedience.htm">Strategic Obedience</a></b><br>The Benjamites' obedience to the command to hide in the vineyards demonstrates the importance of following God's guidance, even when it involves unconventional methods.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The near destruction of the tribe of Benjamin serves as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of sin and the importance of seeking God's will to avoid such outcomes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_and_reconciliation.htm">Unity and Reconciliation</a></b><br>The efforts to restore the tribe of Benjamin highlight the importance of unity and reconciliation among God's people, even after severe conflict.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_promote_abduction_in_judges_21_20-23.htm">Why does the text promote the abduction of women as a solution for the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 21:20–23)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_didn't_tribes_fully_possess_land.htm">If the land division was divinely ordained, why do other biblical accounts (e.g., Judges 1) describe tribes failing to fully possess these assigned territories?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_26,000_benjamites_resist_israel.htm">Judges 20:15 - How could only 26,000 men from Benjamin withstand the combined forces of Israel for so long, given the massive numerical imbalance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_command_a_bronze_serpent.htm">Numbers 21:8-9 - Why would God command Moses to create a bronze serpent, seemingly at odds with prohibitions against idol-making in Exodus 20?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">They commanded.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">they gave notice. </span>This is the <span class= "ital">keri </span>or marginal reading of the Hebrew; the <span class= "ital">kethib, </span>or written text, has the verb in the singular, in which case we must take it impersonally, "It was bidden," and suppose that some leading personage--probably Phinehas, the impress of whose character and reminiscences is observable throughout--is the speaker.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/21-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So they commanded</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְצַוּ֕וּ‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(way·ṣaw·wū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Benjamites:</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Go,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hide</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲרַבְתֶּ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·raḇ·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_693.htm">Strong's 693: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie in wait</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the vineyards</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּכְּרָמִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(bak·kə·rā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">A garden, vineyard</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/21-20.htm">Judges 21:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/21-20.htm">Judges 21:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/21-20.htm">Judges 21:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/21-20.htm">Judges 21:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/21-20.htm">Judges 21:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/21-20.htm">Judges 21:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/21-20.htm">Judges 21:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/21-20.htm">Judges 21:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/21-20.htm">Judges 21:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/21-20.htm">Judges 21:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/21-20.htm">OT History: Judges 21:20 They commanded the children of Benjamin saying (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/21-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 21:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 21:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/21-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 21:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 21:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>