Judges 20:7

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

Behold, ye are all children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}; give {H3051} here {H1988} your advice {H1697} and counsel {H6098}.

Look, you are all people of Isra'el. So discuss what to do, and give your advice here and now."

Behold, all you Israelites, give your advice and verdict here and now.”

Behold, ye children of Israel, all of you, give here your advice and counsel.

Commentary

Judges 20:7 KJV presents a pivotal moment in one of the most disturbing narratives in the book of Judges. Following the horrific account of the Levite's concubine (detailed in Judges chapter 19), the Levite addresses the assembled tribes of Israel, who have gathered at Mizpeh in response to his desperate plea for justice.

Context

The entire nation of Israel, with the exception of the tribe of Benjamin, has converged, outraged by the unspeakable crime committed by the men of Gibeah. The Levite has just finished recounting the brutal rape and murder of his concubine, and how he dismembered her body and sent the pieces throughout Israel to call for a national response. This verse marks his direct appeal to the collective body of Israel for their wisdom and a unified decision on how to proceed against such a grievous sin committed within their borders. It sets the stage for a tragic civil war, illustrating the deep moral decay prevalent during the time when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

Key Themes

  • National Unity and Collective Responsibility: The Levite emphasizes that "ye are all children of Israel," highlighting their shared identity and covenantal obligation. The crime against one individual, particularly a Levite's concubine, is presented as an affront to the entire nation, demanding a collective response.
  • Seeking Justice and Accountability: The core purpose of the gathering is to address a heinous injustice. The call for "advice and counsel" signifies a desire for a deliberate, communal judgment rather than impulsive vengeance, underscoring the serious nature of the situation and the need for accountability for such a grievous sin.
  • Deliberation and Wise Counsel: The appeal for "advice and counsel" (Hebrew: 'etsah for advice, davar for counsel/matter) indicates a need for thoughtful deliberation and a unified strategy. It reflects the importance of communal decision-making in ancient Israel, especially in matters affecting the whole community.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "children of Israel" is a powerful reminder of their shared heritage and covenant relationship with God. The Hebrew terms for "advice" ('etsah) and "counsel" (davar, here meaning a weighty matter or decision) together convey a request for well-considered judgment and a strategic course of action from the assembled leaders and people, not merely casual opinions. This was a call for a national policy to be forged in response to a national crisis.

Practical Application

Judges 20:7 offers several timeless lessons:

  • The Importance of Collective Action Against Injustice: It underscores the responsibility of a community to address evil and injustice within its midst, rather than allowing it to fester.
  • Seeking Wise Counsel: In times of crisis or when facing difficult decisions, the verse highlights the value of seeking advice and counsel from those with wisdom and experience, fostering unity in purpose and action. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety."
  • Consequences of Moral Decay: While the Israelites sought justice, the very need for such a drastic national intervention speaks to the profound moral and spiritual decline that characterized the period of the Judges, where societal norms had deteriorated significantly.

This verse is a poignant call for unity and a just response to a severe moral failing, serving as a powerful reminder of the consequences when a society drifts from divine standards.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 19:30 (5 votes)

    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].

  • 1 Corinthians 5:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ It is reported commonly [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

  • Deuteronomy 4:6 (2 votes)

    Keep therefore and do [them]; for this [is] your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation [is] a wise and understanding people.

  • Joshua 9:14 (2 votes)

    And the men took of their victuals, and asked not [counsel] at the mouth of the LORD.

  • Proverbs 20:18 (2 votes)

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

  • Deuteronomy 14:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Ye [are] the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.

  • Deuteronomy 14:2 (2 votes)

    For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth.