King James Version

What Does Judges 20:26 Mean?

“Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God , and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.”

Context

And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.

And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.

Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God , and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,

And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.

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Topics in This Verse

Peace

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(26) **And all the people**—i.e., the non-combatants as well as the fighting men. **Unto the house of God.**—Rather, *to Bethel, *as in Judges 20:18. **And wept.**—These two battles must have caused an almost universal bereavement. (Comp. Lamentations 2:10; Psalm 137:1; Joel 1:8-14; Joel 2:12-17, &c.) **Fasted . . . until even.**—As is still common in the East. (Comp. 1Samuel 14:24, &c.) **Burnt offerings and peace offerings.**—The former were burnt entire, and therefore could not be used for food; of the latter, only a part was consumed, and the rest might be eaten by the worshippers. The distinction between the two was that the burnt offerings typified absolute self-dedication, whereas the peace offerings were mainly eucharistic.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 20:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.