Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version (The Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) Then the Israelites said, “Tell us how this awful thing happened.” New Living Translation (Word soon reached the land of Benjamin that the other tribes had gone up to Mizpah.) The Israelites then asked how this terrible crime had happened. English Standard Version (Now the people of Benjamin heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the people of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this evil happen?” Berean Standard Bible (Meanwhile the Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this wicked thing happen?” King James Bible (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness? New King James Version (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) Then the children of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wicked deed happen?” New American Standard Bible (Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wickedness take place?” NASB 1995 (Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wickedness take place?” NASB 1977 (Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wickedness take place?” Legacy Standard Bible (Then the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this evil take place?” Amplified Bible (Now the Benjamites [in whose territory the crime was committed] heard that the [other tribes of the] sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “How did this evil thing happen?” Christian Standard Bible The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. The Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this evil act happen? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. The Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this outrage occur?” American Standard Version (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpah.) And the children of Israel said, Tell us, how was this wickedness brought to pass? English Revised Version (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpah.) And the children of Israel said, Tell us, how was this wickedness brought to pass? GOD'S WORD® Translation The people of Benjamin heard that Israel had come to Mizpah. The people of Israel said, "Tell us how such an evil thing could happen." Good News Translation Meanwhile the people of Benjamin heard that all the other Israelites had gathered at Mizpah. The Israelites asked, "Tell us, how was this crime committed?" International Standard Version While the descendants of Benjamin were learning that the Israelis had gone up to Mizpah, the Israelis asked, "Somebody tell us how this evil could happen?" NET Bible The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. Then the Israelites said, "Explain how this wicked thing happened!" New Heart English Bible (Now the people of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) The children of Israel said, "Tell us, how did this wickedness happen?" Webster's Bible Translation (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible(Meanwhile the Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this wicked thing happen?” World English Bible (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) The children of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wickedness happen?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the sons of Benjamin hear that the sons of Israel have gone up to Mizpeh. And the sons of Israel say, “Speak! How has this evil been?” Young's Literal Translation And the sons of Benjamin hear that the sons of Israel have gone up to Mizpeh. And the sons of Israel say, 'Speak ye, how hath this evil been?' Smith's Literal Translation And the sons of Benjamin will hear that the sons of Israel went up to Mizpeh. And the sons of Israel will say, Speak ye; how was this evil? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims Bible(Nor were the children of Benjamin ignorant that the children of Israel were come up to Maspha.) And the Levite the husband of the woman that was killed, being asked, how so great a wickedness had been committed, Catholic Public Domain Version (But it was not hidden from the sons of Benjamin that the sons of Israel had ascended to Mizpah.) And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was killed, being questioned as to how so great a crime had been perpetrated, New American Bible Meanwhile, the Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. The Israelites asked, “How did this evil thing happen?” New Revised Standard Version (Now the Benjaminites heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites said, “Tell us, how did this criminal act come about?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible(Now the Benjamites heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how did this wickedness happen? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel came up to Matspaya, and the sons of Israel said: “Tell us how this evil happened” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpah.--And the children of Israel said: 'Tell us, how was this wickedness brought to pass?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Massepha: and the children of Israel came and said, Tell us, where did this wickedness take place? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Decree of the Assembly…2The leaders of all the people and all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of God’s people: 400,000 men on foot, armed with swords. 3(Meanwhile the Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this wicked thing happen?” 4So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered: “I and my concubine came to Gibeah in Benjamin to spend the night.… Cross References Genesis 34:30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.” Joshua 22:12 And when they heard this, the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them. 1 Samuel 11:7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man. 1 Samuel 15:4 So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. 1 Samuel 17:47 And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 18:30 Every time the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers, so that his name was highly esteemed. 1 Samuel 23:8 Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men. 2 Samuel 2:25 The Benjamites rallied to Abner, formed a single unit, and took their stand atop a hill. 2 Samuel 10:17 When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam. Then the Arameans arrayed themselves against David and fought against him. 2 Samuel 20:14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel-beth-maacah and through the entire region of the Berites, who gathered together and followed him. 2 Kings 3:21 Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border. 2 Chronicles 20:3 Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. Matthew 18:15-17 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. Mark 14:55 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. Treasury of Scripture (Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness? the children of Benjamin Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Luke 12:58,59 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison… how was Judges 19:22-27 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… Jump to Previous Awful Benjamin Benjaminites Benjamites Children Clear Evil Hear Heard Israel Israelites Mizpah Mizpeh Speak Wickedness WordJump to Next Awful Benjamin Benjaminites Benjamites Children Clear Evil Hear Heard Israel Israelites Mizpah Mizpeh Speak Wickedness WordJudges 20 1. The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong8. The decree of the assembly 12. The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites 18. The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand 26. They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred. Meanwhile the Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. The tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, was geographically located in a central region, making communication with other tribes relatively swift. Mizpah, a significant site in Israel's history, served as a gathering place for the tribes. It was a location associated with covenant renewal and judgment (1 Samuel 7:5-6). The Benjamites' awareness of the assembly at Mizpah indicates the gravity of the situation, as tribal gatherings were not common unless addressing serious matters. This reflects the interconnectedness of the tribes and the importance of collective decision-making in ancient Israel. And the Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this wicked thing happen?” Persons / Places / Events 1. The BenjamitesA tribe of Israel, descended from Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob. In this context, they are involved in a grave sin that has caused a national crisis. 2. The Israelites The collective tribes of Israel, excluding Benjamin, who have gathered to address the sin committed in Gibeah, a city of Benjamin. 3. Mizpah A significant gathering place for the Israelites, often used for assemblies and important decisions. It is here that the Israelites convene to discuss the atrocity committed in Gibeah. 4. The Wicked Thing Refers to the heinous crime committed in Gibeah, where a Levite's concubine was brutally abused and murdered, leading to national outrage. 5. The Assembly The gathering of the Israelite tribes at Mizpah to seek justice and understand the events that transpired in Gibeah. Teaching Points Communal ResponsibilityThe Israelites' gathering at Mizpah underscores the importance of addressing sin within the community. As believers, we are called to uphold righteousness and confront sin in our midst. Seeking Justice The Israelites' inquiry into the "wicked thing" reflects a biblical mandate to seek justice. Christians are encouraged to pursue justice in their communities, reflecting God's character. The Role of Leadership The assembly at Mizpah demonstrates the need for godly leadership in addressing crises. Leaders in the church and community should be equipped to guide others in truth and justice. The Consequences of Sin The events leading to the assembly at Mizpah remind us of the destructive nature of sin. Believers are called to live holy lives, avoiding actions that lead to communal harm. Unity in Action The united response of the Israelite tribes highlights the power of collective action. The church today can learn from this unity in addressing societal issues and promoting righteousness. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Judges 20Judges 20 (entire chapter) - Is there any archeological evidence supporting so great a civil war among the tribes of Israel, or are the events purely literary? Why does the text promote the abduction of women as a solution for the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 21:20-23)? Why does Judges 3:12-15 depict God empowering an assassin (Ehud) if murder is condemned elsewhere in scripture? What are the key events in 1 Samuel?(3) Heard.--Probably the Benjamites had received the same summons as the other tribes (see Judges 19:29), but insolently refused to notice the summons. Tell us.--Literally, Tell ye us. The request is addressed to any who could give the necessary information. Verse 3. - The children of Benjamin heard, etc. This seems to be mentioned to show that the absence of the Benjamites from the national council was not from ignorance, but from contumacy. Tell as, etc. This was addressed to all whom it might concern. The Levite answered.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew (Now the Benjamitesבְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son heard וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the Israelites בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son had gone up עָל֥וּ (‘ā·lū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively to Mizpah.) הַמִּצְפָּ֑ה (ham·miṣ·pāh) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4709: Mizpah -- the name of several places in Israel And the Israelites בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son asked, וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “Tell דַּבְּר֕וּ (dab·bə·rū) Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue us, how אֵיכָ֥ה (’ê·ḵāh) Interjection Strong's 349: How?, how!, where did this הַזֹּֽאת׃ (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, wicked thing הָרָעָ֥ה (hā·rā·‘āh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil happen?” נִהְיְתָ֖ה (nih·yə·ṯāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be Links Judges 20:3 NIVJudges 20:3 NLT Judges 20:3 ESV Judges 20:3 NASB Judges 20:3 KJV Judges 20:3 BibleApps.com Judges 20:3 Biblia Paralela Judges 20:3 Chinese Bible Judges 20:3 French Bible Judges 20:3 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 20:3 Now the children of Benjamin heard that (Jd Judg. 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