Judges 20:13

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:

Now therefore deliver {H5414} us the men {H582}, the children {H1121} of Belial {H1100}, which are in Gibeah {H1390}, that we may put them to death {H4191}, and put away {H1197} evil {H7451} from Israel {H3478}. But the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} would {H14} not hearken {H8085} to the voice {H6963} of their brethren {H251} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}:

Turn over these good-for-nothings who are in Giv'ah at once, so that we can execute them and rid Isra'el of such evil." But the people of Binyamin refused to obey the order of their kinsmen the people of Isra'el.

Hand over the wicked men of Gibeah so we can put them to death and purge Israel of this evil.โ€ But the Benjamites refused to heed the voice of their fellow Israelites.

Now therefore deliver up the men, the base fellows, that are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel.

Commentary

Judges 20:13 captures a pivotal moment in the tragic narrative of Israel's civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. The other eleven tribes of Israel demand justice for a horrific crime committed in Gibeah, a town within Benjamin's territory. They call for the surrender of the perpetrators, whom they label "children of Belial," intending to execute them and thereby "put away evil from Israel." However, Benjamin's staunch refusal to comply ignites a devastating conflict.

Context

This verse is the immediate prelude to one of the most violent and sorrowful episodes in Israel's early history, following the atrocious act committed in Gibeah (Judges 19). A Levite's concubine was brutally abused and killed by wicked men from Gibeah. Outraged, the Levite dismembered her body and sent pieces to all the tribes of Israel, galvanizing them to action. The tribes assembled at Mizpah, seeking to punish the perpetrators and cleanse the nation. Their demand in Judges 20:13 is a direct consequence of this outrage, aiming to enforce divine law and moral order in a period characterized by chaos and a lack of central authority, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

Key Themes

  • Justice vs. Tribal Loyalty: The verse highlights the tension between the collective pursuit of justice for a heinous crime and the fierce, misguided loyalty of the tribe of Benjamin, who chose to protect their own, even the guilty, rather than surrender them.
  • Removing Evil from Israel: The phrase "put away evil from Israel" reflects a recurring principle in Mosaic Law, emphasizing the community's responsibility to purge itself of grave wickedness to maintain its covenant relationship with God and avoid collective punishment. This concept is seen in other Old Testament passages, such as Deuteronomy 13:5.
  • Disunity and Stubbornness: Benjamin's refusal to "hearken to the voice of their brethren" underscores a profound breakdown in inter-tribal communication and unity. Their stubbornness directly leads to a civil war that nearly annihilates their tribe.

Linguistic Insights

The term "children of Belial" (Hebrew: ื‘ึฐึผื ึตื™ ื‘ึฐืœึดื™ึทึผืขึทืœ, bฤ•nรช bฤ•liyyaโ€˜al) is significant. Belial literally means "worthlessness" or "wickedness." To be a "child of Belial" implies a person is utterly depraved, lawless, and rebellious against God and moral authority. Itโ€™s a strong condemnation, indicating individuals who are beyond redemption or incorrigibly wicked. This phrase is used elsewhere in the Old Testament to describe scoundrels and villains (e.g., the sons of Eli in 1 Samuel 2:12).

Practical Application

Judges 20:13 serves as a sobering reminder of several important principles:

  • The Importance of Accountability: The demand for justice highlights the necessity of holding individuals accountable for their grave sins, especially when those sins defile a community.
  • Dangers of Misplaced Loyalty: While loyalty is a virtue, this passage demonstrates the peril of allowing tribalism, group affiliation, or personal ties to override moral principles, justice, and the common good. Protecting clear evil can lead to devastating consequences for all involved.
  • Consequences of Disunity: The inability of the tribes to resolve their conflict peacefully, due to Benjamin's defiance, led to immense suffering and loss of life, emphasizing the destructive power of disunity within a community or nation when foundational principles are compromised.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 19:22

    ยถ [Now] as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, [and] beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.

  • Deuteronomy 17:12

    And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.

  • Deuteronomy 13:13

    [Certain] men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

  • 2 Samuel 23:6

    But [the sons] of Belial [shall be] all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:

  • Ecclesiastes 11:10

    Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth [are] vanity.

  • Hosea 10:9

    ยถ O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.

  • 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.