Judges 20:12

¶ And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness [is] this that is done among you?

And the tribes {H7626} of Israel {H3478} sent {H7971} men {H582} through all the tribe {H7626} of Benjamin {H1144}, saying {H559}, What wickedness {H7451} is this that is done {H1961} among you?

The tribes of Isra'el sent men throughout all the tribe of Binyamin with this message: "What is this crime committed by some of your people?

And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you?

And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is come to pass among you?

Commentary

Judges 20:12 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel's tribal conflict, following the horrific events detailed in the preceding chapter. It sets the stage for a devastating civil war within the nation.

Context

This verse immediately follows the shocking account of the Levite's concubine being brutally abused and murdered in Gibeah, a city within the territory of Benjamin (Judges 19:25-30). The Levite had dismembered her body and sent a piece to each of the twelve tribes of Israel, a desperate and graphic plea for justice and a call to action. The nation was appalled, recognizing the unprecedented nature of this crime, which was considered an abomination. In response, the unified tribes of Israel, excluding Benjamin, assembled at Mizpah, determined to address this profound moral outrage. Judges 20:12 depicts their initial, formal attempt to resolve the crisis by seeking an explanation and accountability directly from the tribe of Benjamin.

Key Themes

  • Accountability and Justice: The core demand of the other tribes is for Benjamin to take responsibility for the heinous crime committed within its borders. They are seeking justice for an act that violated the very fabric of Israelite society.
  • Corporate Responsibility: The other tribes hold the entire tribe of Benjamin accountable for the actions of its inhabitants in Gibeah. This highlights the ancient concept of communal responsibility, where the sin of a few could bring guilt and consequences upon the whole group.
  • Moral Outrage: The phrase "What wickedness is this that is done among you?" conveys deep shock and indignation. The crime was not merely a local offense but an affront to God's law and the moral standards of the entire nation.
  • Attempt at Peaceful Resolution: Before resorting to military action, the tribes first sent envoys, demonstrating an initial desire for Benjamin to purge the evil from their midst willingly and avoid further conflict.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "What wickedness is this" translates the Hebrew word nevalah (נְבָלָה). This term signifies a disgraceful, outrageous, or scandalous act, often associated with moral depravity, folly, and a profound lack of respect for God or humanity. It describes acts that are not just wrong, but are utterly abhorrent and shameful, violating fundamental communal and divine laws. Its use here underscores the extreme nature of the crime and why it provoked such a strong, unified response from the other tribes.

Practical Application

Judges 20:12 serves as a stark reminder of several timeless principles:

  • The Need for Accountability: Societies and communities thrive when there is a clear expectation of accountability for wrongdoing. Ignoring or condoning severe moral breaches can lead to greater decay and conflict.
  • Consequences of Unaddressed Sin: The failure of Benjamin to address the "wickedness" internally led to a devastating civil war (Judges 20:13-48). This illustrates how unaddressed sin, whether individual or corporate, can escalate into widespread destruction.
  • The Importance of Moral Standards: The outrage of the other tribes highlights the importance of maintaining a strong moral compass rooted in divine principles. When these standards are abandoned, chaos and injustice often follow.
  • Communal Responsibility: While individual responsibility is paramount, this passage also suggests that communities bear a shared responsibility to confront and remove evil from their midst, fostering an environment where righteousness can flourish.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 13:14 (3 votes)

    Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, [if it be] truth, [and] the thing certain, [that] such abomination is wrought among you;

  • Romans 12:18 (2 votes)

    If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

  • Matthew 18:15 (2 votes)

    Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

  • Matthew 18:18 (2 votes)

    Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

  • Deuteronomy 20:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.

  • Joshua 22:13 (2 votes)

    And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,

  • Joshua 22:16 (2 votes)

    Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass [is] this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?