Judges 20:1
Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֮
went out
H3318
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֮
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּנֵ֣י
Then all the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
Then all the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הָֽעֵדָ֜ה
and the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֜ה
and the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
6 of 17
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
כְּאִ֣ישׁ
man
H376
כְּאִ֣ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לְמִדָּן֙
from Dan
H1835
לְמִדָּן֙
from Dan
Strong's:
H1835
Word #:
9 of 17
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַגִּלְעָ֑ד
of Gilead
H1568
הַגִּלְעָ֑ד
of Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
14 of 17
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
Cross References
Judges 11:11Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.Joshua 22:12And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.1 Samuel 3:20And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.1 Samuel 10:17And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;2 Samuel 3:10To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.Judges 21:5And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.Nehemiah 8:1And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.2 Samuel 24:2For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.
Historical Context
This assembly followed Benjamin's tribe protecting the rapists/murderers of Gibeah (19:22-30). The resulting civil war nearly exterminated Benjamin (20:48, 21:3). The assembly at Mizpeh (northern Benjamin, ironically) shows Israel's federal structure—tribes could summon national assemblies for major issues. The 400,000 warriors (20:2) represents Israel's military strength. Archaeological evidence confirms Late Bronze/Early Iron Age violence consistent with this period. The tragedy demonstrates Judges' theme: moral chaos when 'no king in Israel' (21:25).
Questions for Reflection
- What unity are you pursuing that lacks righteousness and will produce destructive outcomes?
- How does this assembly demonstrate that numerical consensus doesn't equal divine approval?
- What righteous causes demand corporate action and unified response in the church today?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes Israel's unprecedented national assembly responding to the Gibeah atrocity (chapter 19). The phrase 'as one man' (keish echad, כְּאִישׁ אֶחָד) indicates remarkable unity—tragically, Israel united for civil war, not covenant faithfulness. The geographical scope 'from Dan to Beer-sheba' encompasses Israel's entire extent, while 'land of Gilead' includes Transjordan tribes. They assembled 'unto the LORD in Mizpeh,' seeking divine guidance for judgment. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates that human unity apart from righteousness produces destructive results. True unity requires alignment with God's will, not merely numerical agreement.