Judges 20:5
And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּקֻ֤מוּ
rose
H6965
וַיָּקֻ֤מוּ
rose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 16
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עָלַי֙
H5921
עָלַי֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַּֽעֲלֵ֣י
And the men
H1167
בַּֽעֲלֵ֣י
And the men
Strong's:
H1167
Word #:
3 of 16
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
וַיָּסֹ֧בּוּ
against me and beset
H5437
וַיָּסֹ֧בּוּ
against me and beset
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
5 of 16
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
עָלַ֛י
H5921
עָלַ֛י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבַּ֖יִת
the house
H1004
הַבַּ֖יִת
the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
8 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לָ֑יְלָה
upon me by night
H3915
לָ֑יְלָה
upon me by night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
אוֹתִי֙
H853
אוֹתִי֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּמּ֣וּ
and thought
H1819
דִּמּ֣וּ
and thought
Strong's:
H1819
Word #:
11 of 16
to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פִּֽילַגְשִׁ֥י
me and my concubine
H6370
פִּֽילַגְשִׁ֥י
me and my concubine
Strong's:
H6370
Word #:
14 of 16
a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour
Historical Context
The crime parallels Sodom (Genesis 19:4-9), where Lot similarly offered his daughters to protect male guests. Both accounts reveal how patriarchal cultures devalued women, treating them as expendable shields for male honor. The Levite's willingness to sacrifice his concubine, and the old man's earlier offer of his virgin daughter (19:24), show that covenant law protecting women (Exodus 22:16-17; Deuteronomy 22:23-29) was widely ignored.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you use selective truth-telling to appear innocent while hiding your own culpability?
- What genuine atrocities do you emphasize to distract from your own moral failures?
- How can you pursue justice without weaponizing victimhood to evade personal responsibility?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night (קָמוּ עָלַי, qamu alay, 'rose up against me')—the verb suggests hostile, aggressive action. Thought to have slain me (אוֹתִי דִּמּוּ לַהֲרוֹג, oti dimmu laharog)—the Levite claims they intended to murder him, though chapter 19:22 reveals they demanded homosexual rape: 'Bring forth the man...that we may know him.' My concubine have they forced, that she is dead (פִּלַגְשִׁי עִנּוּ וַתָּמֹת)—'forced' (עִנָּה, innah) means sexually violated, raped, humiliated (same term in Deuteronomy 22:24-29).
The Levite's account significantly distorts events. Chapter 19:24-25 reveals he offered his concubine to the mob and physically 'took' and 'brought her out' to them. His passive construction 'they forced' erases his active participation in handing her over to save himself. Furthermore, 19:28 suggests she may have died from his callous treatment afterward ('Get up, let us be going') rather than solely from the assault. His testimony demonstrates how narratives can be weaponized—using genuine atrocity to mask personal guilt. Gibeah's men were absolutely guilty of gang rape and murder, yet the Levite bears responsibility for sacrificing her to protect himself. Complex moral situations rarely feature pure victims and pure villains; usually multiple parties share guilt in varying degrees.