judges-20:1-18-esv

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:3

(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. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:5

(5) The men of Gibeah.—Literally, the lords of Gibeah, as in Judges 9:2. We cannot infer that they were heathen inhabitants of the town, though they behaved as if they were. If the phrase implies that they were men in positions of authority, it perhaps shows why there was no rescue and little resistance. This is also probable, because there could not have been the same unwillingness to give up to justice a few lawless and insignificant offenders.Thought to have slain me.—Obviously some... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:7

(7) Ye are all children of Israel.—There would not be much point in this remark. Rather, ye are all here, children of Israel.Your advice and counsel.—Judges 19:30. “In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom.” read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:8

(8) Arose as one man.—The same words are rendered “with one consent” in 1 Samuel 11:7.To his tent . . . . into his house.—Possibly many of the Trans-jordanic Israelites, who were chiefly graziers, were obliged by the necessities of nomadic life to live in tents, not in villages or cities. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:9

(9) We will go up by lot against it.—The English Version follows the LXX. and other versions in supplying “we will go up.” This is like the decision of the Amphictyonic counsel against the guilty city of Crissa (Grote, iv. 85). But perhaps it should be rendered “we will cast the lot upon it,” to divide its territory when conquered. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:10

(10) Ten men of an hundred.—A tenth of the nation, chosen probably by lot, is to be responsible for the commissariat. They do not anticipate any other difficulty. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:11

(11) Knit together as one man.—The Hebrew word for “knit together” (marg., fellows) is chabeerim. It means that they were all as united as if they belonged to one cheber, or club. It is the spirit of clubbism (Greek, Tcupcfa), displayed in this instance in a good cause. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:12

(12) Through all the tribe of Benjamin.—It was equitable to send this embassy, although the Benjamites had not come to the sacred gathering at Mizpeh. The word for “tribe” is in the plural, so that it is, “the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribes of Benjamin.” Clearly, in the latter instance shebet means a family. (See Note on Judges 18:19, and Numbers 4:18 : “the tribe of the families of Kohath.) There were ten families in the tribe of Benjamin (Genesis 46:21). read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:13

(13) The children of Benjamin would not hearken.—They were actuated by the same bad spirit of solidarity which has often made Highland clans defend a member of their body who has committed some grave outrage. That they should have preferred an internecine civil war to the giving up their criminals illustrates the peculiarly fierce character of the tribe (Genesis 49:27). Their determination to hold out against united Israel is analogous to the courage in a bad cause of the Phocians in the sacred... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:15

(15) Out of the cities.—They could only live in cities, because the Jebusites still held Jerusalem, and the Canaanites around them were very incompletely subdued.Twenty and six thousand.—This seems to be the correct number, and is found in the Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic. Josephus, however (Antt. v. 2, § 10), has 25,000, as also has Codex A of theLXX., and Codex B has 23,000 (see Note on Judges 20:46). We see generally that the Benjamites, like the rest of the Israelites, in spite of their... read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:3

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:7

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:8

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:9

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:10

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:11

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:12

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:13

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:15

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