King James Version

What Does Judges 20:28 Mean?

Judges 20:28 in the King James Version says “And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to ... — study this verse from Judges chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Judges 20:28 · KJV


Context

26

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.

27

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

28

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.

29

And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.

30

And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days—the high priest Phinehas (grandson of Aaron) officiated, establishing this as legitimate priestly inquiry through Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30). Saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? (הַאוֹסִף עוֹד לָצֵאת...אִם־אֶחְדָּל)—critically different question: 'or shall I cease?' They're finally willing to accept 'no' as an answer! And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand (כִּי מָחָר אֶתְּנֶנּוּ בְיָדֶךָ)—explicit promise of victory!

This is Israel's first inquiry that includes willingness to cease. Previously they asked 'Who goes first?' (v. 18) and 'Shall we go again?' (v. 23)—assuming continuation, seeking only permission. Now they ask 'Should we cease?'—genuine submission to potential redirection. Only after reaching this posture of complete surrender does God promise victory explicitly: 'I will deliver them.' The progression is instructive: presumptuous inquiry yields permission without promise → painful consequences → deeper seeking → explicit divine promise. When we finally surrender control and genuinely ask 'Should I cease?', we're positioned to receive God's full guidance and blessing. The question matters: those willing to hear 'no' are ready to properly receive 'yes.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Phinehas's presence establishes chronology—this occurred early in the Judges period (Phinehas served c. 1400-1350 BC). His faithfulness in opposing Midianite idolatry (Numbers 25:6-13) earned him God's covenant of perpetual priesthood. His officiation here signals legitimate divine inquiry through proper channels. The explicit promise 'tomorrow I will deliver' contrasts sharply with earlier terse permissions, showing the difference between divine allowance and divine promise.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to seek God with genuine willingness to hear 'cease' rather than just 'continue'?
  2. How does surrendering your desired outcome position you to receive God's full guidance?
  3. What's the difference between seeking permission for predetermined plans versus seeking divine direction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וּ֠פִֽינְחָס1 of 27

And Phinehas

H6372

pinechas, the name of three israelites

בְּנֵֽי2 of 27

against the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֶלְעָזָ֨ר3 of 27

of Eleazar

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

בְּנֵֽי4 of 27

against the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אַהֲרֹ֜ן5 of 27

of Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

עֹמֵ֣ד׀6 of 27

stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָנָ֗יו7 of 27

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בַּיָּמִ֣ים8 of 27

it in those days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הָהֵם֮9 of 27
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר10 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַֽאוֹסִ֨ף11 of 27

Shall I yet again

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

ע֜וֹד12 of 27
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

לָצֵ֧את13 of 27

go out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה14 of 27

to battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

עִם15 of 27
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בְּנֵֽי16 of 27

against the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִנְיָמִ֥ן17 of 27

of Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

אָחִ֖י18 of 27

my brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אִם19 of 27
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֶחְדָּ֑ל20 of 27

or shall I cease

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר21 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙22 of 27

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עֲל֔וּ23 of 27

Go up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

כִּ֥י24 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָחָ֖ר25 of 27

for to morrow

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

אֶתְּנֶ֥נּוּ26 of 27

I will deliver

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְיָדֶֽךָ׃27 of 27

them into thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v


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 20:28 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 20:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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