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?
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיִּשְׁלְח֞וּ
sent
H7971
וַֽיִּשְׁלְח֞וּ
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 14
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
And the tribes
H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
And the tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
2 of 14
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
men
H582
אֲנָשִׁ֔ים
men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
And the tribes
H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
And the tribes
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
6 of 14
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
7 of 14
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
מָ֚ה
H4100
מָ֚ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Covenant law required attempts at peaceful resolution before warfare (Deuteronomy 20:10-12), though this applied to foreign cities, not brother tribes. The Torah prescribed procedures for handling crimes within Israel (Deuteronomy 13:12-18), including investigation and corporate punishment if cities tolerated idolatry or gross wickedness. Benjamin's territory was small, making comprehensive communication possible through messengers to all towns.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you fulfill procedural requirements while harboring hearts set on conflict rather than reconciliation?
- When does your diplomatic language reveal accusatory assumptions that undermine genuine peacemaking?
- What distinguishes confrontation aimed at restoration from confrontation aimed at condemnation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin—finally, diplomacy! Before attacking, Israel sends messengers throughout Benjamin's territory. What wickedness is this that is done among you? (מָה הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר נִהְיְתָה בָכֶם)—they frame the question to emphasize that the crime occurred within Benjamin's borders ('among you,' בָכֶם, bachem), making the tribe corporately responsible for justice.
This diplomatic overture represents proper covenant procedure: confrontation before warfare (Deuteronomy 20:10). The question acknowledges that not all Benjamites participated in Gibeah's crime, giving the tribe opportunity to surrender perpetrators and avoid bloodshed. Yet the question's phrasing reveals accusatory tones—'among you' implies complicity. The messengers don't ask 'Will you help us bring the guilty to justice?' but 'What wickedness is this among you?'—already assuming tribal guilt. Even righteous diplomatic initiatives can be undermined by accusatory framing. The verse shows Israel taking proper procedural steps while their hearts remained set on war. They fulfill the letter of covenant law (attempt diplomacy) while violating its spirit (seeking reconciliation). This explains why God will humble them despite their righteous cause—their motives mixed justice-seeking with vengeance.