Judges 19:30

KJV

And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak [your minds].

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was so {H1961}, that all that saw {H7200} it said {H559}, There was no such deed {H2063} done nor seen {H7200} from the day {H3117} that the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} came up {H5927} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} unto this day {H3117}: consider {H7760} of it, take advice {H5779}, and speak {H1696} your minds.

Complete Jewish Bible

Everyone who saw it said, "From the day the people of Isra'el came up from Egypt until now, never has such a thing happened or been seen. What are we going to do about it? Talk it over and decide."

Berean Standard Bible

And everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has been seen or done from the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until this day. Think it over, take counsel, and speak up!”

American Standard Version

And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider it, take counsel, and speak.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 19:30 serves as the climactic and horrified pronouncement by the people of Israel regarding the unprecedented atrocity committed in Gibeah, where a Levite's concubine was brutally abused and killed. This verse encapsulates the collective shock and moral indignation of the nation, declaring that no deed of such depravity had been witnessed since their foundational deliverance from Egypt, thereby issuing an urgent and solemn call for national deliberation and decisive action to address the profound moral decay gripping their society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 19:30 concludes one of the most disturbing narratives in the Old Testament, often referred to as "the outrage of Gibeah" (Judges 19-21). The chapter begins with a Levite and his concubine traveling through Benjaminite territory, seeking lodging. After being initially rejected, they find shelter with an old man in Gibeah. However, a mob of degenerate men from the city surrounds the house, demanding to rape the Levite. In a desperate attempt to protect himself, the Levite offers his concubine, who is then subjected to horrific gang rape throughout the night, leading to her death. The Levite's subsequent gruesome act of dismembering her body into twelve pieces and sending them to each tribe of Israel is the catalyst that directly precedes this verse, provoking the national assembly and the ensuing civil war against Benjamin detailed in [Judges 20](/judges/20 "Judges 20 - Israel's War Against Benjamin") and [Judges 21](/judges/21 "Judges 21 - Aftermath of the War"). This verse, therefore, functions as the national outcry that sets the stage for the collective response to an unspeakable crime.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges chronicles a tumultuous period in Israel's history following Joshua's death and before the establishment of the monarchy. It's characterized by a repeated cycle of apostasy, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and the raising of judges by God. This era was marked by significant moral and spiritual decline, a theme explicitly stated by the recurring phrase, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (e.g., [Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - Everyone Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes") and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")). The events in Gibeah reflect a profound breakdown of Israelite covenantal law, hospitality norms, and basic human decency. The actions of the men of Gibeah mirror the sin of Sodom ([Genesis 19:4-9](/genesis/19-4 "Genesis 19:4-9 - Sodom's Sin")), indicating a severe regression from the moral standards God had established for His people. The Levite's shocking act of dismemberment, while gruesome, was a culturally understood, albeit extreme, method of appealing to the tribes for justice and communal action, akin to a distress signal.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 19:30 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **unprecedented moral depravity** within Israel. The declaration that "no such deed" had occurred since the [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/12-51 "Exodus 12:51 - The Exodus from Egypt") highlights the extreme depth of their spiritual and moral decay, indicating a radical departure from God's covenant and laws. Secondly, it emphasizes the **absence of central, righteous authority**. The horrific nature of the crime and the subsequent chaotic national response are direct consequences of the lack of a king who could enforce justice and uphold God's standards, leading to societal anarchy where "every man did what is right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Problem of No King")). Finally, the verse initiates a **call to justice and communal responsibility**. The collective outcry "consider of it, take advice, and speak [your minds]" is a desperate plea for the community to confront grave injustice, deliberate on its implications, and take decisive action to restore order and uphold the divine law that had been so flagrantly violated.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"No such deed" (Hebrew: לֹא נִהְיְתָה כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה, _lo nihyeta kaddavar hazzeh'_):** This emphatic phrase signifies an unparalleled atrocity, an event so heinous that it defied all previous experience and memory within Israel's history since their national birth in Egypt. It conveys a sense of profound shock, moral outrage, and a recognition that the nation had reached a new, terrifying low point in its spiritual and ethical decline. It's not merely that it was bad, but that it was *unprecedentedly* bad, signaling a fundamental breakdown of societal and covenantal norms.
* **"Consider of it" (Hebrew: שִׂימוּ לָכֶם, _simu lakhem'_):** Literally meaning "set for yourselves" or "place for yourselves," this imperative carries the weight of a solemn charge to deeply ponder, reflect, and take to heart the gravity of the situation. It's a call for serious, internal deliberation, not a casual suggestion. It implies a demand for the people to engage their minds and consciences fully with the horror of what has transpired, recognizing its profound implications for the entire nation.
* **"Take advice, and speak [your minds]" (Hebrew: הִתְיָעֲצוּ וְדַבֵּרוּ, _hitya'atsu vedabberu'_):** These two imperatives, linked by "and," form a powerful call to collective action. "Take advice" (from the root `יעץ`, _ya'ats_, to counsel or advise) urges communal deliberation, implying a gathering of leaders and representatives to discuss the matter thoroughly and seek a unified course of action. "Speak [your minds]" (from the root `דבר`, _dabar_, to speak) then demands a public declaration of their findings and proposed solution. Together, they represent a transition from private reflection to public discourse and a unified, decisive response, underscoring the urgent need for the nation to address this crisis openly and collectively.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was so, that all that saw it said,"**: This opening clause establishes the widespread nature of the reaction. The "it" refers to the dismembered body of the concubine, which the Levite had sent throughout Israel. The phrase "all that saw it" indicates that the horror was not confined to a few individuals but resonated across the tribes, creating a collective consciousness of the atrocity. This sets the stage for a national, rather than merely local, response.
* **"There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day:"**: This is the core declaration of the verse, a hyperbolic yet deeply felt statement of unprecedented moral decay. By comparing the crime to anything since the Exodus, the foundational event of Israel's nationhood and covenant with God, the people acknowledge that this act represents a profound deviation from the divine standards and moral identity established at Sinai. It signifies a crisis of national identity and a catastrophic failure to uphold God's law.
* **"consider of it, take advice, and speak [your minds]."**: This tripartite imperative is a direct and urgent call to action. "Consider of it" demands deep, internal reflection on the implications of the deed. "Take advice" urges communal deliberation among leaders and elders to discern a righteous path forward. "And speak [your minds]" then calls for a public, unified declaration of their judgment and proposed response. This sequence moves from individual shock to collective deliberation and finally to decisive, public action, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the necessity for a national reckoning.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 19:30 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the profound shock and urgency of the moment. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, seen in the declaration "There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day." While literally there may have been other terrible acts, this extreme statement emphasizes the unparalleled moral depravity of the event in the eyes of the people, signifying a catastrophic societal breakdown. The verse also functions as a **Call to Action**, moving from a statement of shock to a direct command: "consider of it, take advice, and speak [your minds]." This tripartite imperative creates a sense of escalating urgency, demanding not just passive observation but active, communal engagement. Furthermore, there is an implied **Rhetorical Question** that undergirds the statement of unprecedented evil, essentially asking, "How could such a thing happen among God's people?" or "What are we to do about this?" This prompts the audience, both ancient and modern, to reflect on the moral state of the community. The structure of the final imperatives also exhibits a form of **Parallelism** and **Climax**, moving from internal reflection ("consider") to communal deliberation ("take advice") and finally to public resolution ("speak [your minds]"), building the tension towards the national response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 19:30 stands as a stark theological commentary on the consequences of spiritual apostasy and the absence of righteous leadership. The "no such deed" declaration underscores the severity of Israel's moral decline, a direct result of their repeated abandonment of God's covenant and their descent into idolatry and self-rule. This verse highlights the theological principle that when a society rejects divine authority and each individual does "what is right in his own eyes," chaos, depravity, and injustice inevitably flourish. It serves as a grim example of humanity's capacity for evil when unrestrained by God's law and the moral order it establishes. The call to "consider, take advice, and speak" is a desperate plea for the restoration of justice and order, reflecting God's inherent demand for righteousness even amidst human failure, and foreshadowing the need for a true king who would embody and enforce His laws.

* [Deuteronomy 13:12-18](/deuteronomy/13-12 "Deuteronomy 13:12-18 - Dealing with Wicked Cities"): This passage outlines God's command for Israel to deal decisively with cities that turn to wickedness and idolatry, providing a covenantal backdrop for the national outrage and call to action in Judges 19:30.
* [Hosea 9:9](/hosea/9-9 "Hosea 9:9 - The Sin of Gibeah Remembered"): The prophet Hosea later references "the days of Gibeah" as a benchmark for Israel's deep corruption, illustrating the lasting theological significance of this event as a symbol of profound national sin.
* [Romans 1:28-32](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28-32 - The Depravity of Humanity"): Paul's description of humanity's descent into depravity when God is abandoned provides a New Testament theological parallel to the moral anarchy and extreme wickedness depicted in Judges 19:30.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 19:30 serves as a powerful and unsettling mirror, prompting deep reflection on the state of our own societies and individual lives. The "no such deed" outcry challenges us to consider what constitutes an "unprecedented" moral breakdown in our contemporary context and whether we are sufficiently outraged by systemic injustices and depravities. The call to "consider, take advice, and speak [your minds]" is a timeless imperative for believers to engage actively and thoughtfully with the moral challenges of our time. It reminds us that silence in the face of evil is complicity, and that true spiritual health demands a courageous commitment to justice and righteousness. We are called not only to lament societal decay but also to participate in communal deliberation and action, seeking to apply biblical principles to bring light into darkness. This verse underscores the vital importance of righteous leadership, both within the church and in wider society, and the dire consequences when moral authority is neglected or corrupted. Ultimately, it compels us to examine our own hearts: are we doing what is right in our own eyes, or are we earnestly seeking to live under the authority of God's Word and His Spirit?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unprecedented deeds" or moral declines in our world today evoke a similar sense of shock and urgency, and how are we responding?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be "doing what is right in our own eyes" rather than adhering to God's revealed will?**
* **How can we better "consider of it, take advice, and speak [our minds]" within our churches and communities to address injustice and promote righteousness?**
* **What is the role of righteous leadership in preventing moral decay, and how can we cultivate such leadership in our spheres of influence?**

### FAQ
**What was "the deed" that was so shocking in Judges 19:30?**

Answer: "The deed" refers to the horrific gang rape and subsequent death of the Levite's concubine in Gibeah, followed by the Levite's shocking act of dismembering her body into twelve pieces and sending them throughout Israel. This act of dismemberment was a culturally extreme method of signaling an unparalleled atrocity and summoning the tribes of Israel to communal action and justice, as detailed in [Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine").

**Why was this particular event considered worse than anything since the Exodus?**

Answer: The declaration that "There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day" highlights the extreme moral depravity and spiritual regression of Israel. The Exodus marked the birth of Israel as a nation, set apart by God's covenant and law. The events in Gibeah, particularly the violation of hospitality, the sexual violence, and the utter disregard for human life, represented a profound betrayal of the very principles upon which their nation was founded. It mirrored the sin of Sodom ([Genesis 19:4-9](/genesis/19-4 "Genesis 19:4-9 - Sodom's Sin")) and signaled a complete breakdown of the covenant relationship with God and the societal order He prescribed. It was a national shame that threatened the very identity of Israel as God's holy people.

**What does the phrase "consider of it, take advice, and speak [your minds]" imply for the people of Israel?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful triple imperative, urging the people of Israel to engage in a comprehensive and decisive response. "Consider of it" (שִׂימוּ לָכֶם) calls for deep, personal reflection on the gravity of the crime. "Take advice" (הִתְיָעֲצוּ) demands communal deliberation among the elders and leaders to discuss the implications and determine a course of action. Finally, "speak [your minds]" (וְדַבֵּרוּ) requires a public, unified declaration of their judgment and proposed solution. It signifies a transition from individual horror to collective responsibility and the necessity of a national reckoning to restore justice and moral order in the land. This call sets the stage for the subsequent war against the tribe of Benjamin in [Judges 20](/judges/20 "Judges 20 - Israel's War Against Benjamin").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 19:30, with its chilling depiction of moral anarchy and the desperate cry for justice in a nation without a king, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate need for Christ. The recurring lament in Judges, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Problem of No King")), finds its profound answer in Jesus, the true and righteous King whom God promised. The depravity witnessed in Gibeah, where human beings descended to unspeakable evil, underscores the pervasive nature of sin that grips humanity, a condition from which only Christ can deliver. He is the one who did not merely "consider, take advice, and speak" about sin, but actively entered into its depths, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to atone for humanity's "unprecedented deeds" of rebellion against God ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice")). Unlike the Levite's gruesome act that provoked a civil war, Christ's self-dismemberment on the cross, in the breaking of His body, brings about reconciliation and peace ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). He establishes a new kingdom where righteousness reigns, and His people, no longer doing "what is right in their own eyes," are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live according to God's perfect will ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Walking According to the Spirit")). Thus, the chaos and moral decay of Judges 19:30 ultimately point to the absolute necessity of Christ's reign to bring true order, justice, and spiritual flourishing.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 20:7

Behold, ye [are] all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.

Proverbs 13:10

¶ Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom.

Proverbs 24:6

For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.

Hosea 9:9

They have deeply corrupted [themselves], as in the days of Gibeah: [therefore] he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.

Proverbs 15:22

¶ Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Proverbs 20:18

¶ [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Proverbs 11:14

¶ Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.