Judges 20:20

KJV

And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} went out {H3318} to battle {H4421} against Benjamin {H1144}; and the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} put themselves in array {H6186} to fight {H4421} against them at Gibeah {H1390}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the army of Isra'el went out to attack Binyamin and set up their battle line in front of Giv'ah.

Berean Standard Bible

And the men of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin and took up their battle positions at Gibeah.

American Standard Version

And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel set the battle in array against them at Gibeah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 20:20 marks the grim commencement of a devastating civil war within ancient Israel, depicting the moment the combined forces of the Israelite tribes arrayed themselves for battle against their brethren from the tribe of Benjamin. This verse encapsulates the tragic culmination of escalating moral decay and unaddressed sin, transforming a demand for justice into an internal conflict of unprecedented and catastrophic proportions, highlighting the profound consequences when God's people turn against one another.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 20:20 is situated at a pivotal and tragic juncture in the book of Judges, immediately following the horrific account of the Levite's concubine in [Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine"). The preceding chapter details the unspeakable crime committed by the men of Gibeah, a Benjamite city, against the concubine, leading to her death. The Levite's subsequent dismemberment of her body and distribution of the pieces throughout Israel served as a shocking call to action, described in [Judges 19:29-30](/judges/19-29 "Judges 19:29-30 - The Levite's Outrage"). Chapter 20 begins with the assembly of all Israel at Mizpah, demanding accountability from Benjamin. When Benjamin defiantly refuses to surrender the perpetrators, choosing instead to protect them, the stage is set for this internal war, with verse 20 detailing the initial military engagement. This verse thus represents the point of no return, where dialogue has failed, and the nation resorts to fratricidal combat.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BCE) was characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance, as outlined in [Judges 2:11-19](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-19 - The Cycle of Apostasy"). This era lacked a central king, and the recurring phrase "in those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel") and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")) perfectly encapsulates the moral anarchy and decentralization prevalent. The assembly at Mizpah was a traditional gathering place for tribal deliberation, and the act of "going out to battle" was a formal declaration of war, even against a fellow tribe. Gibeah, a city in Benjamin, was significant as it would later become the hometown of Israel's first king, Saul ([1 Samuel 10:26](/1_samuel/10-26 "1 Samuel 10:26 - Saul's Hometown")). The refusal of Benjamin to surrender the guilty parties was a grave violation of inter-tribal covenant and justice, leading to a conflict rooted in both moral outrage and tribal solidarity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Judges. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **internal strife and disunity** among God's people, a stark contrast to the ideal of a unified nation under God's law. The fact that "Israel" fights "Benjamin" highlights a tragic breakdown of the covenant community, echoing the warnings against internal division found in [Galatians 5:15](/galatians/5-15 "Galatians 5:15 - Biting and Devouring One Another"). Secondly, it exemplifies the **consequences of unchecked sin and moral decay**. The heinous crime in Gibeah, combined with Benjamin's complicity, escalates into a national catastrophe, demonstrating how individual sin can infect and destroy an entire community. Finally, the verse speaks to the **perilous pursuit of human justice** without divine guidance or mercy. While the initial impulse of the tribes was righteous indignation, the means and outcome of their "justice" were devastating, leading to immense loss and nearly annihilating an entire tribe, as detailed in [Judges 20:35-48](/judges/20-35 "Judges 20:35-48 - The Defeat of Benjamin").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"went out to battle" (Hebrew, _yatza l'milchamah'_):** This phrase signifies a deliberate, organized military expedition. It's not a spontaneous riot but a formal act of war, indicating that the other tribes of Israel had collectively and intentionally decided to engage Benjamin in armed conflict. The gravity of this decision is amplified by the fact that it is against their own kinsmen, making the act of "going out to battle" a tragic and unprecedented step in Israel's history.
* **"put themselves in array" (Hebrew, וַיַּֽעַרְכוּ מִלְחָמָה, _vayya'archu milchamah'_):** This idiomatic expression literally means "they arranged battle" or "they set the battle lines." It emphasizes the strategic and disciplined formation of troops for combat. This detail highlights the seriousness and preparation involved, suggesting that the Israelites were not merely reacting impulsively but were committing to a full-scale military engagement, deploying their forces in a structured manner against Benjamin at Gibeah. The term conveys a sense of methodical readiness for the impending conflict.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin;":** This clause establishes the primary actors and the nature of the conflict. "The men of Israel" refers to the combined forces of the other eleven tribes, united in their purpose to confront Benjamin. The phrase "went out to battle" underscores the formal and intentional declaration of war. The target, "Benjamin," signifies the tragic reality of inter-tribal warfare, where brethren are pitted against brethren, a profound breakdown of the covenant community.
* **"and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.":** This second clause elaborates on the initial engagement, detailing the specific action taken and the location. "Put themselves in array" describes the disciplined military formation, indicating a prepared and organized assault. The repetition of "the men of Israel" reinforces their collective resolve. The phrase "to fight against them" explicitly states the hostile intent. Crucially, the battle is set "at Gibeah," the very city where the heinous crime of [Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine") occurred, making the location a symbolic epicenter of the moral decay and subsequent judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 20:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its somber message. **Irony** is profoundly present, as the "men of Israel," God's chosen people, are found "going out to battle against Benjamin," another tribe of Israel. This internal conflict stands in stark contrast to the ideal of a unified nation called to fight external enemies, not each other. The repetition of "the men of Israel" serves as a form of **anaphora**, emphasizing the collective resolve and tragic unity of the eleven tribes against one of their own, underscoring the magnitude of the division. Furthermore, the setting "at Gibeah" functions as potent **symbolism**. Gibeah is not just a geographical location; it is the site of the original atrocity, making it a symbolic ground where the consequences of sin are confronted with violent retribution. The verse also contains an element of **foreshadowing**, as the deliberate "arraying" of forces hints at the devastating and bloody conflict that is about to unfold, a conflict that will bring Israel to the brink of annihilating one of its own tribes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 20:20 is a stark theological statement on the devastating consequences of sin, moral decay, and internal division within the covenant community. It illustrates how the breakdown of justice and righteousness, when left unaddressed or handled with human vengeance rather than divine wisdom, can lead to fratricidal conflict. The pursuit of justice, though initially righteous, becomes corrupted by the ensuing violence and near-annihilation of a tribe, raising questions about the means by which justice is sought and the heavy cost of human sin. This tragic episode serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the perils of a society where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")).

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Matthew 12:25](/matthew/12-25 "Matthew 12:25 - A House Divided Cannot Stand")
* [1 Corinthians 1:10](/1_corinthians/1-10 "1 Corinthians 1:10 - Appeals for Unity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 20:20 serves as a profound and sobering reminder of the destructive power of internal conflict, whether in families, communities, or even the church. It challenges us to consider the origins of division – often rooted in unaddressed sin, a lack of accountability, or a distorted pursuit of justice. While righteous indignation against evil is necessary, this passage cautions against allowing such anger to escalate into destructive strife that harms the very fabric of the community. For believers today, it underscores the vital importance of pursuing unity in Christ, as commanded in [Ephesians 4:3](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3 - Endeavoring to Keep the Unity of the Spirit"), and to seek peaceful, biblical resolutions to disputes, rather than allowing bitterness and division to take root. It calls us to examine our own hearts and communities for areas where sin might be festering, leading to disunity, and to proactively seek reconciliation and repentance before conflict becomes catastrophic.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the story of the Levite's concubine and the subsequent war against Benjamin highlight the dangers of moral relativism and a lack of spiritual leadership?**
* **In what ways might unchecked sin or a refusal to address wrongdoing within a community lead to broader conflict, even among those who should be united?**
* **What lessons can the church today draw from Israel's tragic civil war regarding the pursuit of justice versus the preservation of unity and peace?**

### FAQ
**Why did the other tribes of Israel go to war against Benjamin instead of just punishing the individuals responsible?**

Answer: The refusal of the tribe of Benjamin to surrender the perpetrators of the heinous crime in Gibeah ([Judges 19:22-25](/judges/19-22 "Judges 19:22-25 - The Crime at Gibeah")) was seen as an act of corporate complicity and defiance against the collective moral and legal standards of Israel. The other tribes viewed Benjamin's protection of the guilty as an endorsement of the evil, making the entire tribe culpable in their eyes. This was not merely about individual justice but about upholding the covenant purity and law within the nation. Benjamin's defiant stance, as described in [Judges 20:12-14](/judges/20-12 "Judges 20:12-14 - Benjamin's Refusal"), transformed the demand for justice against a few individuals into a full-scale tribal conflict.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic civil war depicted in Judges 20, commencing with the arraying of forces in [Judges 20:20](/judges/20-20 "Judges 20:20 - Israel Goes to War Against Benjamin"), vividly illustrates the brokenness of humanity and the profound need for a true King. In the absence of a righteous ruler, "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")), leading to internal strife and nearly the annihilation of a tribe. This chaotic period foreshadows the ultimate solution found in Christ. While Israel sought justice through violent means, leading to devastating loss, Jesus Christ, the perfect [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offers true and ultimate justice by taking away the sin of the world through His atoning sacrifice. He is the King who brings not division, but genuine unity, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")) and creating one new humanity in Himself. Unlike the flawed and destructive pursuit of justice in Judges, Christ's reign establishes a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God")), where believers are called to live in harmony and love, reflecting the perfect unity of the Godhead, a stark contrast to the fratricidal conflict at Gibeah.

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.