King James Version
What Does Judges 20:12 Mean?
“And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?”
Judges 20:12 · KJV
Context
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:
14
But the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryThe tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin—finally, diplomacy! Before attacking, Israel sends messengers throughout Benjamin's territory. What wickedness is this that is done among you? (מָה הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר נִהְיְתָה בָכֶם)—they frame the question to emphasize that the crime occurred within Benjamin's borders ('among you,' בָכֶם, bachem), making the tribe corporately responsible for justice.
This diplomatic overture represents proper covenant procedure: confrontation before warfare (Deuteronomy 20:10). The question acknowledges that not all Benjamites participated in Gibeah's crime, giving the tribe opportunity to surrender perpetrators and avoid bloodshed. Yet the question's phrasing reveals accusatory tones—'among you' implies complicity. The messengers don't ask 'Will you help us bring the guilty to justice?' but 'What wickedness is this among you?'—already assuming tribal guilt. Even righteous diplomatic initiatives can be undermined by accusatory framing. The verse shows Israel taking proper procedural steps while their hearts remained set on war. They fulfill the letter of covenant law (attempt diplomacy) while violating its spirit (seeking reconciliation). This explains why God will humble them despite their righteous cause—their motives mixed justice-seeking with vengeance.
This diplomatic overture represents proper covenant procedure: confrontation before warfare (Deuteronomy 20:10). The question acknowledges that not all Benjamites participated in Gibeah's crime, giving the tribe opportunity to surrender perpetrators and avoid bloodshed. Yet the question's phrasing reveals accusatory tones—'among you' implies complicity. The messengers don't ask 'Will you help us bring the guilty to justice?' but 'What wickedness is this among you?'—already assuming tribal guilt. Even righteous diplomatic initiatives can be undermined by accusatory framing. The verse shows Israel taking proper procedural steps while their hearts remained set on war. They fulfill the letter of covenant law (attempt diplomacy) while violating its spirit (seeking reconciliation). This explains why God will humble them despite their righteous cause—their motives mixed justice-seeking with vengeance.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Covenant law required attempts at peaceful resolution before warfare (Deuteronomy 20:10-12), though this applied to foreign cities, not brother tribes. The Torah prescribed procedures for handling crimes within Israel (Deuteronomy 13:12-18), including investigation and corporate punishment if cities tolerated idolatry or gross wickedness. Benjamin's territory was small, making comprehensive communication possible through messengers to all towns.
Reflection Questions
- How do you fulfill procedural requirements while harboring hearts set on conflict rather than reconciliation?
- When does your diplomatic language reveal accusatory assumptions that undermine genuine peacemaking?
- What distinguishes confrontation aimed at restoration from confrontation aimed at condemnation?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 14 wordsשִׁבְטֵ֥י2 of 14
“And the tribes”
H7626a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙3 of 14
“of Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים4 of 14
“men”
H582properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
בְּכָל5 of 14
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שִׁבְטֵ֥י6 of 14
“And the tribes”
H7626a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
בִנְיָמִ֖ן7 of 14
“of Benjamin”
H1144binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
מָ֚ה9 of 14
H4100properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 14
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִֽהְיְתָ֖ה13 of 14
“is this that is done”
H1961to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָּכֶֽם׃14 of 14
H0Study 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 20:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Judges 20:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge