Judges 20:28

Authorized King James Version

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And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.

Original Language Analysis

וּ֠פִֽינְחָס And Phinehas H6372
וּ֠פִֽינְחָס And Phinehas
Strong's: H6372
Word #: 1 of 27
pinechas, the name of three israelites
בְּנֵֽי against the children H1121
בְּנֵֽי against the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 2 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֶלְעָזָ֨ר of Eleazar H499
אֶלְעָזָ֨ר of Eleazar
Strong's: H499
Word #: 3 of 27
elazar, the name of seven israelites
בְּנֵֽי against the children H1121
בְּנֵֽי against the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 4 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אַהֲרֹ֜ן of Aaron H175
אַהֲרֹ֜ן of Aaron
Strong's: H175
Word #: 5 of 27
aharon, the brother of moses
עֹמֵ֣ד׀ stood H5975
עֹמֵ֣ד׀ stood
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 6 of 27
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְפָנָ֗יו before H6440
לְפָנָ֗יו before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 7 of 27
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בַּיָּמִ֣ים it in those days H3117
בַּיָּמִ֣ים it in those days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 8 of 27
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
הָהֵם֮ H1992
הָהֵם֮
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 9 of 27
they (only used when emphatic)
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר said H559
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 10 of 27
to say (used with great latitude)
הַֽאוֹסִ֨ף Shall I yet again H3254
הַֽאוֹסִ֨ף Shall I yet again
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 11 of 27
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
ע֜וֹד H5750
ע֜וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 12 of 27
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לָצֵ֧את go out H3318
לָצֵ֧את go out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 13 of 27
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה to battle H4421
לַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה to battle
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 14 of 27
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
עִם H5973
עִם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 15 of 27
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
בְּנֵֽי against the children H1121
בְּנֵֽי against the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 16 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בִנְיָמִ֥ן of Benjamin H1144
בִנְיָמִ֥ן of Benjamin
Strong's: H1144
Word #: 17 of 27
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
אָחִ֖י my brother H251
אָחִ֖י my brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 18 of 27
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 19 of 27
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אֶחְדָּ֑ל or shall I cease H2308
אֶחְדָּ֑ל or shall I cease
Strong's: H2308
Word #: 20 of 27
properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר said H559
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 21 of 27
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָה֙ And the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 22 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲל֔וּ Go up H5927
עֲל֔וּ Go up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 23 of 27
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 24 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מָחָ֖ר for to morrow H4279
מָחָ֖ר for to morrow
Strong's: H4279
Word #: 25 of 27
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
אֶתְּנֶ֥נּוּ I will deliver H5414
אֶתְּנֶ֥נּוּ I will deliver
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 26 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְיָדֶֽךָ׃ them into thine hand H3027
בְיָדֶֽךָ׃ them into thine hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 27 of 27
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

Analysis & Commentary

And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days—the high priest Phinehas (grandson of Aaron) officiated, establishing this as legitimate priestly inquiry through Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30). Saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? (הַאוֹסִף עוֹד לָצֵאת...אִם־אֶחְדָּל)—critically different question: 'or shall I cease?' They're finally willing to accept 'no' as an answer! And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand (כִּי מָחָר אֶתְּנֶנּוּ בְיָדֶךָ)—explicit promise of victory!

This is Israel's first inquiry that includes willingness to cease. Previously they asked 'Who goes first?' (v. 18) and 'Shall we go again?' (v. 23)—assuming continuation, seeking only permission. Now they ask 'Should we cease?'—genuine submission to potential redirection. Only after reaching this posture of complete surrender does God promise victory explicitly: 'I will deliver them.' The progression is instructive: presumptuous inquiry yields permission without promise → painful consequences → deeper seeking → explicit divine promise. When we finally surrender control and genuinely ask 'Should I cease?', we're positioned to receive God's full guidance and blessing. The question matters: those willing to hear 'no' are ready to properly receive 'yes.'

Historical Context

Phinehas's presence establishes chronology—this occurred early in the Judges period (Phinehas served c. 1400-1350 BC). His faithfulness in opposing Midianite idolatry (Numbers 25:6-13) earned him God's covenant of perpetual priesthood. His officiation here signals legitimate divine inquiry through proper channels. The explicit promise 'tomorrow I will deliver' contrasts sharply with earlier terse permissions, showing the difference between divine allowance and divine promise.

Questions for Reflection

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