Judges 20:6
And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וָֽאֹחֵ֤ז
And I took
H270
וָֽאֹחֵ֤ז
And I took
Strong's:
H270
Word #:
1 of 13
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
בְּפִֽילַגְשִׁי֙
my concubine
H6370
בְּפִֽילַגְשִׁי֙
my concubine
Strong's:
H6370
Word #:
2 of 13
a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour
וָֽאֲשַׁלְּחֶ֔הָ
and sent
H7971
וָֽאֲשַׁלְּחֶ֔הָ
and sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
4 of 13
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נַֽחֲלַ֣ת
of the inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלַ֣ת
of the inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָשׂ֛וּ
for they have committed
H6213
עָשׂ֛וּ
for they have committed
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
10 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Judges 19:29And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.Joshua 7:15And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.Judges 19:23And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.Genesis 34:7And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.
Historical Context
The twelve pieces sent to Israel's twelve tribes deliberately evoked tribal unity and covenant obligation. This macabre method recalled covenant ratification rituals where animals were divided (Genesis 15:10; Jeremiah 34:18-19). Later, Saul would use similar tactics—cutting oxen and sending pieces throughout Israel—to summon troops (1 Samuel 11:7), but Saul's use of animals rather than a human corpse demonstrates how far standards had fallen in Judges.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you use others' pain and suffering as tools for your own agendas?
- In what ways does your outrage against injustice coexist with hard-heartedness toward victims?
- What does it mean to pursue justice in ways that honor rather than further objectify the victim?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces (וָאֹחֵז בְּפִילַגְשִׁי וָאֲנַתְּחֶהָ)—the verb 'cut in pieces' (נָתַח, natach) is used for butchering sacrificial animals (Exodus 29:17; Leviticus 1:6). Sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel—he distributed her dismembered body as a grotesque summons to action. For they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel (זִמָּה וּנְבָלָה, zimmah u-nevalah)—'lewdness' suggests premeditated sexual depravity, 'folly' indicates covenant-breaking wickedness that brings shame on God's people.
The Levite's action raises profound moral questions. His dismemberment of his concubine's corpse—whether she was already dead or dying (19:27-29 is ambiguous)—shows shocking callousness. He uses her body as a propaganda tool, yet his method demonstrates the same objectification and brutality that characterized her rape and murder. His theological language ('lewdness and folly in Israel') correctly identifies covenant violation but comes from compromised lips. The verse reveals how outrage against sin can coexist with hard-heartedness. The Levite's concern seems directed more toward Israel's reputation than toward his concubine's dignity. He manipulates her death for maximum political impact while showing no remorse for his role in her demise.