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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The elders of Israel's request wasn't just for justice; it was to "burn up" the evil from their midst, echoing a Deuteronomic command to purge wickedness. By refusing to hand over the guilty men, the Benjamites weren't just protecting criminals; they were essentially aligning themselves with the evil and inviting divine judgment upon their whole tribe.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the horrific gang rape and murder of a Levite's concubine in Gibeah, the other tribes of Israel have gathered to demand justice. They are presenting a clear ultimatum to the tribe of Benjamin: hand over the guilty men from Gibeah so they can be executed and purge the evil from Israel. However, the Benjaminites stubbornly refuse, choosing solidarity with their depraved kinsmen over obedience to God and the unified will of Israel.
The other tribes of Israel made a reasonable request. What was it, and why was it so crucial for the nation?
After the horrific events in Gibeah, the assembled tribes of Israel confronted the tribe of Benjamin. Their demand was clear: "deliver up the men... that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel." This wasn't about petty revenge; it was about national health. Allowing such wickedness to go unpunished would be like letting a disease spread unchecked through the body. The guilt and the potential divine judgment would fall upon all of Israel if the evil wasn't dealt with. The request was a commitment to the covenant, seeking to uphold God's standards for the community.
Benjamin's response wasn't just a 'no.' It was a declaration of war. What fueled this catastrophic decision?
The Benjaminites' refusal to hand over the guilty men was a grave error, stemming from multiple issues. It wasn't just about protecting their own, but a deep-seated pride. They scorned the idea of submitting to the other tribes, perhaps feeling superior or unwilling to have outsiders 'meddle' in their affairs. There was also likely a misguided sense of their own strength and military prowess, making them overconfident. Tragically, this refusal was also part of God's judgment, hardening their hearts so they would face the severe consequences of their unrighteous solidarity.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
beliya'al · Hebrew Noun
A term describing morally corrupt, base, or useless individuals, often implying a lack of reverence for God or societal standards.
ba'ar · Hebrew Verb
To remove, clear away, or drive out moral impurity or wickedness from the covenant community to maintain holiness and satisfy God's justice.
The refusal of Benjamin to surrender the 'worthless fellows' wasn't just about protecting criminals; it represented a dangerous tribal pride and a defiance of Israel's collective moral responsibility, leading to a near-destruction of one of God's chosen tribes.
c. 1100 BC
Period of the Judges
Israel is a confederation of tribes loosely governed by charismatic leaders called judges, with no central authority or king. This period is marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, deliverance, and apostasy.
c. 1100 BC
Outrage in Gibeah
A Levite and his concubine suffer a horrific gang rape and murder in the town of Gibeah, a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. This brutal act shocks the entire nation.
c. 1100 BC
Tribal Council Convenes
The tribes of Israel assemble at Mizpah to discuss the atrocity in Gibeah. They unanimously condemn the crime and demand that the tribe of Benjamin surrender the perpetrators.
c. 1100 BC— this verse
Benjamin Refuses to Cooperate
The tribe of Benjamin, specifically the men of Gibeah, refuse to hand over the guilty men. This solidarity with the offenders unites the other tribes against Benjamin.
c. 1100 BC
Civil War Erupts
The refusal of Benjamin leads to a devastating civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other twenty-one tribes of Israel.
c. 1100 BC
Near Annihilation of Benjamin
After initial defeats, the united tribes of Israel nearly wipe out the entire tribe of Benjamin, leaving only a few hundred men alive.
c. 1100 BC
Restoration of Benjamin
The remaining tribes devise a plan to preserve the tribe of Benjamin by providing wives for the surviving men, ensuring the continuation of their lineage.
This passage describes how Israel was to deal with a town that had fallen into idolatry and wickedness, directly paralleling the demand in Judges 20:13 to 'purge evil from Israel' by dealing with the 'worthless fellows' of Gibeah.
1 Samuel 11:12Similar to the request made in Judges 20:13, Saul asks the people of Israel to deliver up 'the men of worthlessness' who had threatened them, highlighting the consistent need to confront and purge evil within the community.
Romans 6:23This verse states that 'the wages of sin is death,' underscoring the ultimate consequence of the 'worthless fellows' actions in Gibeah and the spiritual reality behind Israel's demand for justice.
Proverbs 11:10The success of cities and nations, the proverb says, comes from the 'righteousness' of their people, offering a stark contrast to the wickedness in Gibeah and the impending judgment, showing why purging evil was so critical for Israel's well-being.
Genesis 49:27This prophecy about Benjamin describes him as a 'ravenous wolf,' which echoes the fierce, unyielding nature of the Benjamites in Judges 20 who refused to hand over the wicked men, leading to their own near destruction.
bensonJudges 20:13: "Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:"
Jdg 20:13 . That we may put away evil from Israel — Both the guilt and punishment wherein all Israel will be involved if they do not punish it. The children of Benjamin would not hearken — From the pride of their hearts, which made them sco…
clarkeJudges 20:13: "Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:"
Deliver us the men - Nothing could be fairer than this. They wish only to make the murderers answerable for their guilt. Benjamin would not hearken - Thus making their whole tribe partakers of the guilt of the men of Gibeah. By not deliveri…
The elders of Israel's request wasn't just for justice; it was to "burn up" the evil from their midst, echoing a Deuteronomic command to purge wickedness. By refusing to hand over the guilty men, the Benjamites weren't just protecting criminals; they were essentially aligning themselves with the evil and inviting divine judgment upon their whole tribe.
Following the horrific gang rape and murder of a Levite's concubine in Gibeah, the other tribes of Israel have gathered to demand justice. They are presenting a clear ultimatum to the tribe of Benjamin: hand over the guilty men from Gibeah so they can be executed and purge the evil from Israel. However, the Benjaminites stubbornly refuse, choosing solidarity with their depraved kinsmen over obedience to God and the unified will of Israel.
Following the horrific gang rape and murder of a Levite's concubine in Gibeah, the other tribes of Israel have gathered to demand justice. They are presenting a clear ultimatum to the tribe of Benjamin: hand over the guilty men from Gibeah so they can be executed and purge the evil from Israel. However, the Benjaminites stubbornly refuse, choosing solidarity with their depraved kinsmen over obedience to God and the unified will of Israel.
"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." — The elders of Israel's request wasn't just for justice; it was to "burn up" the evil from their midst, echoing a Deuteronomic command to purge wickedness. By refusing to hand over the guilty men, the…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026