Judges 20:12-15

What does Judges 20:12-15 mean?

Before launching into war, the other tribes send emissaries to Benjamin, not to ask what happened, but with a pointed question: "What evil is this that has taken place among you?" This wording implies they already know the crime, but they're calling on Benjamin to acknowledge its gravity and right the wrong, offering a path to reconciliation before bloodshed.

And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What evil is this that has taken place among you? Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel.” But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel. Then the people of Benjamin came together out of the cities to Gibeah to go out to battle against the people of Israel. And the people of Benjamin mustered out of their cities on that day 26,000 men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who mustered 700 chosen men.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Judges 20:12-15 means

Before resorting to war, the united tribes of Israel send messengers to all the families of Benjamin to demand that the perpetrators of a heinous crime be handed over for justice. This attempt at a peaceful resolution was meant to distinguish the guilty from the innocent and give Benjamin a chance to prevent their own destruction by doing what was right. However, the message, though just, was perceived as too harsh, likely fueling Benjamin's pride and defiance rather than leading to reconciliation.

A Final Plea for Justice

Before launching into a full-scale war, the tribes of Israel didn't immediately resort to violence. They sent a message first.

In Judges 20:12, Israel sends messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin to ask, 'What evil is this that has taken place among you?' This wasn't just a casual inquiry; it was a formal, unified demand for accountability.

The Path of Peace Before War

Separating the Innocent: The goal was to give the tribe of Benjamin a chance to identify and hand over the guilty individuals responsible for the terrible crime in Gibeah. This aimed to prevent innocent people from suffering alongside the truly guilty.
Avoiding Unnecessary Bloodshed: By seeking justice first, Israel hoped to resolve the conflict without a devastating war that would cost many lives on both sides.
Upholding the Law: This step was crucial to demonstrate that Israel was committed to justice and the law of God, not just a thirst for revenge.

The Weight of Tribal Responsibility

The message wasn't just for a few individuals, but sent 'through all the tribe of Benjamin.' What does this reveal about their society?

The wording in verse 12, speaking of sending men 'through all the tribe of Benjamin,' highlights the communal nature of responsibility in ancient Israel. The word translated 'tribe' here actually refers to families within the tribe, emphasizing that the whole kinship group was implicated until the guilty were identified.