Judges 21:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore they commanded {H6680} the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144}, saying {H559}, Go {H3212} and lie in wait {H693} in the vineyards {H3754};

Complete Jewish Bible

They ordered the men of Binyamin, "Go, hide in the vineyards,

Berean Standard Bible

So they commanded the Benjamites: “Go, hide in the vineyards

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 21:20 reveals the desperate and morally compromised strategy devised by the Israelite assembly to secure wives for the remaining 200 Benjamite men, thereby preventing the extinction of an entire tribe. Following a devastating civil war and a rash oath, the leaders of Israel instruct the Benjamites to ambush and abduct women from the vineyards of Shiloh during an annual feast. This verse encapsulates the profound moral and spiritual decline of Israel during a period marked by the absence of a king and a pervasive reliance on human wisdom over divine guidance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 21:20 is situated at the chaotic conclusion of the Book of Judges, specifically within the narrative arc of chapters 19-21. This segment details the horrific crime committed by Benjamites in Gibeah, leading to a brutal civil war where the other Israelite tribes nearly annihilated Benjamin. The preceding verses in chapter 21 describe the Israelite assembly's remorse over Benjamin's near extinction and their dilemma, having sworn an oath not to give their daughters to any Benjamite. Their initial solution, raiding Jabesh-Gilead for virgins, provided only 400 wives for 600 surviving men. Verse 20 introduces the second, even more ethically dubious, plan to secure wives for the remaining 200. This entire section vividly illustrates the recurring theme of the book: "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 - The Moral Chaos of the Judges Period")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Judges unfold in a tribal confederacy period before the establishment of monarchy in Israel. Oaths, even rash ones, held immense weight and were considered binding covenants before God, as seen in the Israelites' reluctance to break their vow concerning Benjamin ([Judges 21:1](/judges/21-1 "Judges 21:1 - The Israelites' Oath Regarding Benjamin")). Shiloh was a significant religious center during this era, serving as the location of the tabernacle and a place for annual feasts and pilgrimages ([Judges 18:31](/judges/18-31 "Judges 18:31 - The Tabernacle at Shiloh")). These feasts, often involving dancing and celebration in the fields and vineyards, provided a seemingly opportune, yet morally reprehensible, setting for the planned abduction. The concept of preserving a tribe was crucial for Israel's identity as a twelve-tribe nation, highlighting the desperation behind their actions, even if those actions contradicted ethical and covenantal principles.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 21:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book. It underscores the theme of **moral decay and spiritual anarchy**, where the absence of a righteous central authority leads to a society where "right in their own eyes" translates into violence, deception, and moral compromise. The verse highlights the **consequences of rash oaths and human-centric solutions**, demonstrating how well-intentioned but ill-conceived vows can lead to further sin and ethical dilemmas, rather than seeking divine wisdom. Furthermore, it exemplifies the **desperate measures** people resort to when trapped by their own folly, revealing a profound lack of trust in God's ability to provide a righteous solution. The narrative's grim conclusion, culminating in this orchestrated abduction, serves as a stark indictment of Israel's spiritual state and subtly yet powerfully argues for the **necessity of a righteous king** who would lead the people in obedience to God's law.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commanded (Hebrew, _tsawah'_):** This verb often denotes a divine or authoritative instruction, emphasizing that the Israelite leaders, acting as a collective assembly, issued this directive. The use of "commanded" here highlights the institutional sanction given to a morally questionable act, underscoring the depth of Israel's ethical compromise. It's not merely a suggestion but an order from the highest human authority in Israel at that time.
* **Lie in wait (Hebrew, _'arab'_):** This term specifically means "to ambush," "to set an ambush," or "to lie in ambush." It carries connotations of deception, stealth, and often, a prelude to violence or seizure. In this context, it explicitly describes a premeditated, non-consensual act of abduction, stripping the event of any pretense of courtship or negotiation and revealing its true nature as a calculated act of force.
* **Vineyards (Hebrew, _kerem'_):** Vineyards were common agricultural landscapes in ancient Israel, often associated with harvest festivals and celebrations. They provided natural cover due to their trellised rows and foliage, making them ideal for an ambush. The setting of vineyards, typically places of joy and abundance, provides a stark contrast to the violent and deceptive act being planned within them, adding a layer of tragic irony to the scene.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying,"**: This clause establishes the authority and the recipients of the command. "They" refers to the assembled Israelite tribes or their leaders, who, after much deliberation and lamentation over the near extinction of Benjamin, devised this plan. The word "commanded" indicates a formal, authoritative directive, not a mere suggestion, underscoring the collective responsibility for this ethically dubious solution. It highlights the desperation and the lengths to which the leadership was willing to go to rectify their earlier rash oath.
* **"Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;"**: This is the specific instruction given to the Benjamite survivors. "Go" is a direct imperative, initiating the action. "Lie in wait" explicitly details the method: an ambush, implying secrecy, deception, and a non-consensual seizure of the women. The location, "in the vineyards," is crucial, as it provides natural cover for the ambushers and is where the women would be dancing during the feast. This command reveals the morally bankrupt nature of the plan, sanctioning abduction as a means to an end.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **Literary Devices**. **Irony** is prominent, as the very leaders of Israel, who should uphold justice and righteousness, are seen sanctioning an act of abduction and deception. This stands in stark contrast to their earlier zeal in punishing the Benjamites for their wickedness. The setting of the "vineyards" during a "feast" creates a sense of **Juxtaposition**, placing a festive, communal atmosphere against the backdrop of a planned violent seizure, amplifying the moral depravity of the act. The narrative also uses **Foreshadowing**, as this desperate and ungodly solution, born out of human ingenuity rather than divine wisdom, foreshadows the continued moral decline of Israel and underscores the urgent need for a righteous king who would govern according to God's law, bringing true order and justice to the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 21:20 serves as a stark theological commentary on the dangers of a society that has abandoned divine guidance and relies solely on human reasoning, even when attempting to rectify past mistakes. The Israelites' actions, though driven by a desire to preserve a tribe, demonstrate a profound spiritual blindness and moral compromise. This passage illustrates that even seemingly "good" intentions, when executed outside of God's revealed will, can lead to further sin and chaos. It underscores the principle that human wisdom, when divorced from divine wisdom, inevitably leads to a downward spiral of ethical decay. The willingness of the leaders to sanction abduction highlights the extent of their spiritual depravity and the desperate need for a righteous authority to guide the nation.

* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - The Way That Seems Right")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-6](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 - The Danger of Rash Vows")
* [Romans 1:28-32](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28-32 - The Consequences of Suppressing Truth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 21:20 offers a sobering mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the sources of our decisions, especially in difficult or desperate circumstances. The narrative warns against the perils of self-reliance and the temptation to devise human-centric solutions when faced with complex problems, particularly those stemming from our own past errors. It emphasizes the critical importance of seeking God's counsel and wisdom above all else, rather than succumbing to pragmatic but ungodly compromises. Our actions, even those intended to "fix" a situation, can have far-reaching and unintended consequences if not rooted in righteous principles. This passage calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and dependence on God, trusting that His ways are always higher and more righteous than our own, and that true solutions are found in obedience to His word, not in clever human schemes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on human ingenuity or pragmatic solutions instead of seeking God's wisdom?**
* **How can I ensure that my decisions, especially under pressure, are guided by biblical principles rather than desperation or self-interest?**
* **What are the potential long-term consequences of making rash promises or commitments, even with good intentions?**
* **How does the absence of righteous leadership, whether in a nation, community, or even within oneself, contribute to moral compromise?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Israelites resort to such a drastic measure, essentially sanctioning abduction?**

Answer: The Israelites resorted to this drastic measure due to a complex confluence of factors: their self-imposed, rash oath not to give their daughters to Benjamin ([Judges 21:1](/judges/21-1 "Judges 21:1 - The Oath Against Benjamin")), their remorse over nearly annihilating an entire tribe, and their desire to preserve the twelve-tribe structure of Israel. Trapped by their own vow and facing the imminent extinction of Benjamin, they prioritized the preservation of the tribe over ethical conduct. This decision highlights a profound spiritual and moral decline, where human ingenuity and pragmatic solutions replaced a reliance on divine guidance and righteous principles. The narrative implies that in the absence of a king who would lead righteously, the people, including their leaders, were left to their own devices, leading to morally bankrupt decisions.

**What was the "feast in Shiloh" mentioned in this context?**

Answer: The "feast in Shiloh" was likely one of the annual pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Weeks, or Booths) mandated by the Mosaic Law, where Israelite men were required to appear before the Lord. Shiloh was the primary location of the tabernacle during the period of the Judges ([Judges 18:31](/judges/18-31 "Judges 18:31 - The Tabernacle at Shiloh")), making it a central gathering place for such religious observances. These feasts were often accompanied by joyful celebrations, including dancing, particularly by the young women, in the vineyards or open fields surrounding the sanctuary. This festive atmosphere provided the opportunity for the Benjamites to "lie in wait" and abduct the women, as their guard would be down during the revelry.

**Does God approve of the actions taken by the Israelites in Judges 21:20?**

Answer: The narrative of Judges, particularly chapters 19-21, is descriptive, not prescriptive. It vividly portrays the moral chaos and spiritual anarchy that characterized Israel when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Moral Chaos of the Judges Period")). The text does not present the abduction as a divinely sanctioned or approved act, but rather as a desperate and ethically compromised solution born out of human folly and a profound lack of divine guidance. The entire account serves as a stark warning against human self-reliance and the consequences of abandoning God's righteous standards, underscoring the deep need for a righteous king who would lead Israel in obedience to the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The chaotic and morally bankrupt events recounted in Judges 21:20, where Israel's leaders resort to sanctioned abduction to preserve a tribe, powerfully underscore the desperate need for a true and righteous King. The book of Judges, with its recurring refrain of "no king in Israel," paints a grim picture of humanity's inability to govern itself righteously apart from divine authority. This desperate human scheme to "fix" a problem born of earlier human folly points directly to the ultimate solution found in Jesus Christ. Unlike the flawed leaders of Israel who commanded violence and deception, Jesus, the perfect King, came not to command others into sin, but to offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He is the true Shepherd who gathers His flock with grace and truth ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")), not through ambush or coercion. The moral vacuum and spiraling chaos of Judges highlight humanity's inherent sinfulness and its inability to save itself or establish true order. Christ, however, is the King who brings genuine peace and justice, not through human ingenuity or compromise, but through His perfect obedience, atoning death, and victorious resurrection. He is the one who ultimately fulfills the longing for a righteous ruler, establishing a kingdom not of this world, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God")). The story of Judges 21:20, therefore, serves as a dark backdrop against which the glorious light of Christ's perfect kingship shines even brighter, revealing Him as the only one capable of bringing true redemption and order to a fallen world.

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.