Judges 20:13
Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֡ה
H6258
תְּנוּ֩
Now therefore deliver
H5414
תְּנוּ֩
Now therefore deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֨ים
H376
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֨ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 20
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)
בְּנֵֽי
But the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
But the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְלִיַּ֜עַל
of Belial
H1100
בְלִיַּ֜עַל
of Belial
Strong's:
H1100
Word #:
6 of 20
without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּגִּבְעָה֙
which are in Gibeah
H1390
בַּגִּבְעָה֙
which are in Gibeah
Strong's:
H1390
Word #:
8 of 20
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
וּנְמִיתֵ֔ם
that we may put them to death
H4191
וּנְמִיתֵ֔ם
that we may put them to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
9 of 20
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
from Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
from Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָבוּ֙
would
H14
אָבוּ֙
would
Strong's:
H14
Word #:
14 of 20
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
בִּנְיָמִ֔ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִּנְיָמִ֔ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
15 of 20
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
לִשְׁמֹ֕עַ
not hearken
H8085
לִשְׁמֹ֕עַ
not hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
16 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֲחֵיהֶ֥ם
of their brethren
H251
אֲחֵיהֶ֥ם
of their brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
18 of 20
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
Cross References
Deuteronomy 17:12And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.Deuteronomy 13:13Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;Judges 19:22Now 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.
Historical Context
The demand for extradition followed established covenant law for dealing with covenant-breaking wickedness. Deuteronomy 13:12-15 prescribed corporate punishment for cities that tolerated such evil. Benjamin's refusal to surrender the Gibeonite perpetrators made the entire tribe guilty of harboring criminals—a capital offense under covenant law. This created a true dilemma: Benjamin guilty for refusing justice, Israel guilty for escalating to total war rather than proportionate response.
Questions for Reflection
- When does loyalty to your group, family, denomination, or nation lead you to defend the indefensible?
- How do you choose tribal solidarity over covenant righteousness?
- What does it mean to 'put away evil from among you' in church discipline and personal life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah (בְנֵי בְלִיַּעַל, benei beliya'al)—'sons of Belial' means worthless, wicked men (same phrase described Gibeah's rapists in 19:22). Israel demands extradition of specific perpetrators: that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel (נְמִיתֵם וּנְבַעֲרָה רָעָה מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, nemitem u-neva'arah ra'ah mi-yisra'el)—the phrase 'put away evil' (בָּעַר רָע, ba'ar ra, literally 'burn away evil') appears throughout Deuteronomy as covenant obligation for maintaining holiness (Deuteronomy 13:5; 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21-22, 24).
But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel (וְלֹא אָבוּ בְנֵי בִנְיָמִן לִשְׁמֹעַ בְּקוֹל אֲחֵיהֶם, velo avu benei binyamin lishmo'a beqol acheihem)—Benjamin's refusal is emphatic: 'would not' (אָבָה, avah) expresses willful rejection. The text stresses relationship: 'their brethren' (אֲחֵיהֶם, acheihem), emphasizing that Benjamin rejects brother tribes' legitimate demands. This refusal transforms criminal justice into civil war. Benjamin chooses tribal solidarity with criminals over covenant loyalty to God and Israel. Their refusal demonstrates the same 'everyone did what was right in his own eyes' mentality that produced the crime itself. When loyalty to our people group supersedes loyalty to righteousness, we become accomplices to evil.