King James Version

What Does Judges 21:20 Mean?

Judges 21:20 in the King James Version says “Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;” — study this verse from Judges chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;”

Judges 21:20 · KJV

Context

18

Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

19

Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah. yearly: Heb. from year to year on the east: or, toward the sunrising of the highway: or, on the highway

20

Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;

21

And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.

22

And it shall be, when their fathers or their brethren come unto us to complain, that we will say unto them, Be favourable unto them for our sakes: because we reserved not to each man his wife in the war: for ye did not give unto them at this time, that ye should be guilty. Be favourable: or, Gratify us in them

Read Judges 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards. The elders commanded (vayetzavvu, וַיְצַוּוּ) the Benjamites—using the same verb for God's authoritative commands—to lie in wait (va'aravtem, וַאֲרַבְתֶּם) in ambush. The Hebrew root arav (אָרַב) means to lurk or ambush, commonly used for military ambushes (Joshua 8:2) but also for predatory violence (Proverbs 1:11, 18). The vineyard location was strategic—harvest festivals included dancing in and around vineyards, providing cover for the ambush.

From a Reformed perspective, this verse demonstrates how far Israel's moral compass had deteriorated. The elders didn't merely permit this scheme—they actively commanded it, giving official sanction to kidnapping. This transforms individual sin into corporate wickedness, with leadership orchestrating violence against the innocent. The contrast with God's law is stark: Deuteronomy 22:25-27 prescribed death for rape, yet here Israel's leaders organize mass abduction of women from a worship festival.

The tragic progression from Judges 19-21 reveals escalating violence: gang rape and murder of the Levite's concubine, civil war, genocide against Benjamin, destruction of Jabesh-gilead, and now sanctioned kidnapping at Shiloh. Each attempted solution to moral crisis produces greater moral chaos. This warns that human schemes apart from genuine repentance and return to God's law only compound wickedness. The book's conclusion—"every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (21:25)—finds its ultimate illustration in leaders commanding kidnapping during worship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ambush tactics (ma'arav, מַאֲרָב) were standard ancient warfare strategy, used successfully by Joshua at Ai (Joshua 8:2-22) and by the Israelites in the Benjamin war itself (Judges 20:29-48). However, deploying military tactics against fellow Israelites during a worship festival represented profound moral perversion. The vineyard setting was significant—vineyards were associated with joy, celebration, and God's blessing (Psalm 104:15, Isaiah 5:1-7).

The elders' command reveals the complete breakdown of moral authority during this period. Rather than providing godly leadership directing people toward righteousness, they orchestrated violence. This foreshadows the problems with human kingship Israel would later demand (1 Samuel 8)—leadership without accountability to God's law becomes tyranny. The tragic irony is that Benjamin's near-extinction stemmed from protecting rapists (Judges 19), yet their "restoration" involved sanctioned kidnapping.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do leaders sometimes use their authority to sanction morally problematic actions under guise of solving practical problems?
  2. What does this verse teach about the danger of pragmatic ethics that justify means by desired ends?
  3. When have you seen religious or organizational leaders command actions that clearly violate biblical principles of justice and mercy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וַיצַוֻּ֕1 of 8

“Therefore they commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶת2 of 8
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנֵ֥י3 of 8

“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

בִנְיָמִ֖ן4 of 8

“of Benjamin”

H1144

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

לֵאמֹ֑ר5 of 8

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְכ֖וּ6 of 8
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַֽאֲרַבְתֶּ֥ם7 of 8

“and lie in wait”

H693

to lurk

בַּכְּרָמִֽים׃8 of 8

“in the vineyards”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

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 21:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

Judges 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Judges 21 with CommentaryAll Judges ChaptersComplete Judges QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes