King James Version
What Does Judges 20:11 Mean?
“So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man. knit: Heb. fellows”
Judges 20:11 · KJV
Context
9
But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;
10
And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.
11
So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man. knit: Heb. fellows
12
And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?
13
Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:
Commentary
KJV Study CommentarySo all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man (חֲבֵרִים כְּאִישׁ אֶחָד, chaverim ke'ish echad)—'knit together' (חָבַר, chavar) suggests joining, confederating, allying. The phrase 'as one man' appears again (third time), reinforcing Israel's unprecedented unity. Yet this unity is directed 'against' (אֶל, el) Gibeah, emphasizing hostility rather than restorative discipline.
The verse crystallizes the chapter's central irony: Israel achieves the unity they've lacked throughout Judges, but for civil war rather than covenant faithfulness. They're 'knit together' for destruction of a brother tribe instead of being knit together in worship of Yahweh. This raises profound questions about the nature of unity. Unity around shared enemies is easier than unity around shared worship. Outrage binds people more readily than devotion. Israel's cohesion here comes from hatred of Benjamin's sin, not love for God's holiness. The chapter will demonstrate that unity without adequate submission to God leads to devastating losses. Better to be divided yet seeking God properly than to be united yet consulting Him inadequately. The tragedy of Judges 20 is not that Israel lacked unity or righteous indignation, but that they possessed both without sufficient humility before God.
The verse crystallizes the chapter's central irony: Israel achieves the unity they've lacked throughout Judges, but for civil war rather than covenant faithfulness. They're 'knit together' for destruction of a brother tribe instead of being knit together in worship of Yahweh. This raises profound questions about the nature of unity. Unity around shared enemies is easier than unity around shared worship. Outrage binds people more readily than devotion. Israel's cohesion here comes from hatred of Benjamin's sin, not love for God's holiness. The chapter will demonstrate that unity without adequate submission to God leads to devastating losses. Better to be divided yet seeking God properly than to be united yet consulting Him inadequately. The tragedy of Judges 20 is not that Israel lacked unity or righteous indignation, but that they possessed both without sufficient humility before God.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The military encampment 'against the city' followed ancient siege warfare conventions. The language echoes earlier accounts of Israelite unity in conquest (Joshua 10:5-6), but here turned against their own brethren. This civil war prefigures later conflicts: the northern tribes' rebellion against Rehoboam (1 Kings 12), the split kingdom's recurrent warfare, and ultimately the Babylonian destruction of Judah—all demonstrating how quickly God's people turn their swords against each other when covenant loyalty fractures.
Reflection Questions
- How do you confuse unity around shared enemies with unity around shared worship of God?
- When does outrage bind you to others more powerfully than devotion to God?
- What distinguishes godly unity from coalition built on common opposition?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 9 wordsוַיֵּֽאָסֵ֞ף1 of 9
“were gathered”
H622to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
כָּל2 of 9
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּאִ֥ישׁ3 of 9
“So all the men”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙4 of 9
“of Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הָעִ֔יר6 of 9
“against the city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
כְּאִ֥ישׁ7 of 9
“So all the men”
H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Judges 20:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.