Judges Chapter 20 · Verse 26

Authorized King James Version

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Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Original Language Analysis

וַֽיַּעֲל֛וּ and offered H5927
וַֽיַּעֲל֛וּ and offered
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 1 of 24
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 2 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּנֵי֩ Then all the children H1121
בְּנֵי֩ Then all the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֜ם and all the people H5971
הָעָ֜ם and all the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 6 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ and came H935
וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ and came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 7 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בֵֽית unto the house H1004
בֵֽית unto the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 8 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֵ֗ל H1008
אֵ֗ל
Strong's: H1008
Word #: 9 of 24
beth-el, a place in palestine
וַיִּבְכּוּ֙ and wept H1058
וַיִּבְכּוּ֙ and wept
Strong's: H1058
Word #: 10 of 24
to weep; generally to bemoan
וַיֵּ֤שְׁבוּ and sat H3427
וַיֵּ֤שְׁבוּ and sat
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 11 of 24
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
שָׁם֙ H8033
שָׁם֙
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 12 of 24
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 13 of 24
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 14 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיָּצ֥וּמוּ and fasted H6684
וַיָּצ֥וּמוּ and fasted
Strong's: H6684
Word #: 15 of 24
to cover over (the mouth), i.e., to fast
בַיּוֹם that day H3117
בַיּוֹם that day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 16 of 24
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֖וּא H1931
הַה֖וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 17 of 24
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 18 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הָעָ֑רֶב until even H6153
הָעָ֑רֶב until even
Strong's: H6153
Word #: 19 of 24
dusk
וַֽיַּעֲל֛וּ and offered H5927
וַֽיַּעֲל֛וּ and offered
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 20 of 24
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עֹל֥וֹת burnt offerings H5930
עֹל֥וֹת burnt offerings
Strong's: H5930
Word #: 21 of 24
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וּשְׁלָמִ֖ים and peace offerings H8002
וּשְׁלָמִ֖ים and peace offerings
Strong's: H8002
Word #: 22 of 24
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 23 of 24
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 24 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD—now comprehensive response: 'all Israel,' 'all the people,' corporate weeping, sitting before the LORD (posture of humility/mourning). And fasted that day until even (וַיָּצוּמוּ בַיּוֹם הַהוּא עַד־הָעָרֶב)—adding fasting to weeping. And offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD (וַיַּעֲלוּ עֹלוֹת וּשְׁלָמִים)—burnt offerings (עֹלָה, total consecration) and peace offerings (שֶׁלֶם, fellowship/communion with God).

After 40,000 casualties, Israel finally seeks God properly. The contrast with verses 18 and 23 is striking: before = brief inquiry; now = comprehensive corporate humility with weeping, fasting, and sacrifice. This verse demonstrates that God sometimes must break us thoroughly before we seek Him rightly. Israel's initial confidence in their righteous cause and superior numbers prevented genuine humility. Two devastating defeats humbled their pride and drove them to proper worship. The burnt offering expresses total consecration to God; the peace offering acknowledges need for reconciliation with Him. When paired, these sacrifices represent complete surrender and restored fellowship. Sometimes our best plans must completely fail before we're ready to truly seek God's way.

Historical Context

Burnt offerings and peace offerings represented the most solemn form of covenant renewal and divine consultation. The burnt offering was completely consumed, symbolizing total dedication to God (Leviticus 1). Peace offerings were partially eaten by worshipers, symbolizing restored fellowship (Leviticus 3). The combination indicated Israel finally approached God with proper heart attitude rather than presumptuous demands for rubber-stamp approval.

Questions for Reflection