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Judges 20:12 And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What is this wickedness that has occurred among you?
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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/20.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/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What about this awful crime that was committed among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The Israelites sent messengers to the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What a terrible thing has been done among you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What evil is this that has taken place among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness <i>is</i> this that is done among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What <i>is</i> this wickedness that has occurred among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the tribes of Israel sent men through the entire tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has taken place among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the tribes of Israel sent men through the entire tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has taken place among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the tribes of Israel sent men through the entire tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has taken place among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the tribes of Israel sent men through the entire tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this evil that has taken place among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the tribes of Israel sent men through the entire tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this evil thing that has been done among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this evil act that has happened among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this outrage that has occurred among you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is come to pass among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The tribes of Israel sent messengers to every town and village in Benjamin. And wherever the messengers went, they said, "How could those worthless men in Gibeah do such a disgusting thing? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is come to pass among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin. They asked, "How could such an evil thing happen among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Israelite tribes sent messengers all through the territory of the tribe of Benjamin to say, "What is this crime that you have committed? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the entire tribe of Benjamin to ask them, "What is this evil thing that has occurred among you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, ?What is this wickedness that has occurred among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "How could such a wicked thing take place?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What wickedness is this that has happened among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What wickedness is this that has happened among you? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel send men among all the tribes of Benjamin, saying, “What [is] this evil which has been among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the tribes of Israel send men among all the tribes of Benjamin, saying, 'What is this evil which hath been among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel will send men into all the tribes of Benjamin, saying, What this evil which was among you?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they sent messengers to all the tribe of Benjamin to say to them: Why hath so great an abomination been found among you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they sent messengers to the entire tribe of Benjamin, who said: “Why has so great a wickedness been found among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin to say, “What is this evil that has occurred among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What crime is this that has been committed among you?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that has been done among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And all the tribes of Israel sent men to the entire house of Benjamin, saying: “What is this evil that has come upon you?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying: 'What wickedness is this that is come to pass among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the tribes of Israel sent men through the whole tribe of Benjamin, saying, What <i>is</i> this wickedness that has been wrought among you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/20-12.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=6040" 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/20.htm">The Decree of the Assembly</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>So all the men of Israel gathered as one man, united against the city. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: šiḇ·ṭê (N-mpc) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">And the tribes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·yiš·lə·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’ă·nā·šîm (N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">throughout</a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: šiḇ·ṭê (N-mpc) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">the tribe</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.">of Benjamin,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: haz·zōṯ (Art:: Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">is this</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·rā·‘āh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">wickedness</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: nih·yə·ṯāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">has occurred</a> <a href="/hebrew/bā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">among you?</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Hand over the wicked men of Gibeah so we can put them to death and purge Israel of this evil.” But the Benjamites refused to heed the voice of their fellow Israelites.…<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="/deuteronomy/13-12.htm">Deuteronomy 13:12-18</a></span><br />If, regarding one of the cities the LORD your God is giving you to inhabit, you hear it said / that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known), / then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/22-11.htm">Joshua 22:11-20</a></span><br />Then the Israelites received the report: “Behold, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the border of the land of Canaan, at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side.” / And when they heard this, the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them. / The Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest to the land of Gilead, to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. ...<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="/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/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22-23</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-33.htm">1 Samuel 15:33</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">2 Samuel 20:1-2</a></span><br />Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” / So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/20-21.htm">2 Samuel 20:21-22</a></span><br />That is not the case. But a man named Sheba son of Bichri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him alone, and I will depart from the city.” “Look,” the woman replied, “his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” / Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-16.htm">1 Kings 12:16-19</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, / but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. / Then King Rehoboam sent out Adoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and escaped to Jerusalem. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/12-24.htm">1 Kings 12:24</a></span><br />that this is what the LORD says: ‘You are not to go up and fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing.’” So they listened to the word of the LORD and turned back according to the word of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/13-4.htm">2 Chronicles 13:4-12</a></span><br />Then Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim in the hill country of Ephraim and said, “Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel! / Do you not know that the LORD, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt? / Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15-17</a></span><br />If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Matthew 18:21-22</a></span><br />Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-35.htm">Matthew 18:35</a></span><br />That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?</p><p class="hdg">sent men</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/13-14.htm">Deuteronomy 13:14</a></b></br> Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, <i>if it be</i> truth, <i>and</i> the thing certain, <i>that</i> such abomination is wrought among you;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/20-10.htm">Deuteronomy 20:10</a></b></br> When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/22-13.htm">Joshua 22:13-16</a></b></br> And 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, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/20-3.htm">Awful</a> <a href="/judges/20-10.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/20-6.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Crime</a> <a href="/judges/8-12.htm">Entire</a> <a href="/judges/20-3.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/judges/20-11.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/20-10.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/judges/18-30.htm">Tribe</a> <a href="/judges/20-10.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/judges/20-6.htm">Wickedness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Awful</a> <a href="/judges/20-13.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-20.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-1.htm">Crime</a> <a href="/judges/20-48.htm">Entire</a> <a href="/judges/20-13.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/judges/20-13.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ruth/4-14.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/judges/21-3.htm">Tribe</a> <a href="/judges/21-5.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/judges/20-13.htm">Wickedness</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-1.htm">The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-8.htm">The decree of the assembly</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-12.htm">The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-18.htm">The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-26.htm">They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred.</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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/20.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/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin,</b><br>This phrase indicates a collective action by the tribes of Israel, emphasizing unity among the tribes in addressing a serious issue. The sending of men suggests a formal delegation, which was a common practice in ancient times for communication and negotiation. The tribe of Benjamin was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's youngest son, Benjamin. This action reflects the tribal confederation system in Israel before the establishment of the monarchy, where tribes acted both independently and collectively. The geographical context places Benjamin in a central location in the land of Israel, which was significant for communication and travel among the tribes.<p><b>saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you?</b><br>The term "wickedness" here refers to the grievous sin committed in Gibeah, a city within the tribe of Benjamin, as described in the preceding chapter. This wickedness involved the brutal assault and murder of a Levite's concubine, which was a violation of the covenantal laws and moral standards expected of the Israelites. The inquiry reflects a judicial process, seeking accountability and justice. The cultural context of ancient Israel placed a high value on communal purity and righteousness, and such an atrocity demanded a response. This phrase also echoes the prophetic tradition of calling out sin and urging repentance, seen throughout the Old Testament. The call for accountability can be seen as a type of Christ's role in calling out sin and offering redemption.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/tribes_of_israel.htm">Tribes of Israel</a></b><br>The collective group of the twelve tribes descended from the sons of Jacob, who are addressing the tribe of Benjamin regarding a grievous sin.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/tribe_of_benjamin.htm">Tribe of Benjamin</a></b><br>One of the twelve tribes of Israel, which is being confronted by the other tribes for harboring wickedness within its borders.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/men_sent.htm">Men Sent</a></b><br>Representatives or messengers from the tribes of Israel tasked with delivering a message of inquiry and confrontation to the tribe of Benjamin.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wickedness.htm">Wickedness</a></b><br>Refers to the grievous sin committed by certain men of Gibeah, a city within the territory of Benjamin, which led to a national crisis.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/gibeah.htm">Gibeah</a></b><br>A city in the territory of Benjamin where the atrocity took place, leading to the confrontation by the other tribes.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/confronting_sin_in_the_community.htm">Confronting Sin in the Community</a></b><br>The tribes of Israel demonstrate the importance of addressing sin within the community. As believers, we are called to lovingly confront sin to maintain the purity and holiness of the body of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/corporate_responsibility.htm">Corporate Responsibility</a></b><br>The passage highlights the collective responsibility of God's people to uphold righteousness. Each member of the community has a role in ensuring that sin is not tolerated.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_justice.htm">Seeking Justice</a></b><br>The inquiry into the wickedness in Benjamin underscores the biblical principle of seeking justice. Believers are called to be advocates for justice and righteousness in their communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_righteousness.htm">Unity in Righteousness</a></b><br>The united action of the tribes of Israel serves as a reminder of the power of unity in pursuing God's standards. The church today should strive for unity in upholding biblical truths.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>While the passage focuses on confrontation, it also opens the door for repentance and restoration. The goal of addressing sin is always to bring about repentance and reconciliation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_judges_20_35-46_consistent_with_unity.htm">Judges 20:35-46 - Is the near-total annihilation of an entire tribe by fellow Israelites consistent with the broader biblical message of unity among God's people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_allow_israel's_defeats_first.htm">Judges 20:18-23 - Why would God direct Israel to attack Benjamin, allow defeat twice, and then finally grant them victory on the third attempt?</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/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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Through all the tribe of Benjamin.</span>--It was equitable to send this embassy, although the Benjamites had not come to the sacred gathering at Mizpeh. The word for "tribe" is in the plural, so that it is, "the tribes of Israel sent men through all the <span class= "ital">tribes </span>of Benjamin." Clearly, in the latter instance <span class= "ital">shebet </span>means a family. (See Note on <a href="/judges/18-19.htm" title="And they said to him, Hold your peace, lay your hand on your mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for you to be a priest to the house of one man, or that you be a priest to a tribe and a family in Israel?">Judges 18:19</a>, and <a href="/numbers/4-18.htm" title="Cut you not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:">Numbers 4:18</a> : "the <span class= "ital">tribe </span>of the <span class= "ital">families </span>of Kohath.) There were ten families in the tribe of Benjamin (<a href="/genesis/46-21.htm" title="And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.">Genesis 46:21</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Tribe of Benjamin</span>. The Hebrew has tribes, meaning probably <span class="accented">families</span>, as the word is used <a href="/numbers/4-18.htm">Numbers 4:18</a>. <span class="accented">Vice versa</span>, <span class="accented">family</span> is used for <span class="accented">tribe</span>, <a href="/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7</a>; <a href="/judges/18-11.htm">Judges 18:11</a>. What wickedness, etc. The message was perhaps toe sharp and peremptory to be successful. It roused the pride and tribal independence of the Benjamites to resist. We must suppose the message to have preceded in point of time the hostile gathering recorded in ver. 11. It was probably sent before the council broke up (see above, <a href="/judges/7-25.htm">Judges 7:25</a>; <a href="/judges/8-4.htm">Judges 8:4</a>, and note). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/20-12.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">And the tribes</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְטֵ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·ṭê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵל֙</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sent</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּשְׁלְח֞וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·lə·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנָשִׁ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">throughout</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the tribe</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְטֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·ṭê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Benjamin,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִנְיָמִ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(ḇin·yā·min)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1144.htm">Strong's 1144: </a> </span><span class="str2">Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֚ה</span> <span class="translit">(māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֹּ֔את</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">wickedness</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרָעָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has occurred</span><br /><span class="heb">נִהְיְתָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(nih·yə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among you?</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּכֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/20-12.htm">Judges 20:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/20-12.htm">OT History: Judges 20:12 The tribes of Israel sent men through (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/20-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 20:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 20:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/20-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 20:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 20:13" /></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>