Judges 21:20
Judges 21:20 in Multiple Translations
So they commanded the Benjamites: “Go, hide in the vineyards
Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;
And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,
And they said to the men of Benjamin, Go into the vine-gardens, waiting there secretly,
So they ordered the Benjamites, “Go and hide in the vineyards.
Therefore they commanded the children of Beniamin, saying, Goe, and lye in waite in the vineyardes.
And they command the sons of Benjamin, saying, 'Go — and ye have laid wait in the vineyards,
They commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, “Go and lie in wait in the vineyards,
Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go, and lie in wait in the vineyards;
And they commanded the children of Benjamin, and said: Go, and lie hid in the vineyards,
So the Israeli leaders told the men of the tribe of Benjamin, “When it is the time for that festival, go to Shiloh and hide in the vineyards.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 21:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 21:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ו/יצו
וַ/יְצַוּ֕וּ
אֶת
בְּנֵ֥י
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
לְכ֖וּ
וַ/אֲרַבְתֶּ֥ם
בַּ/כְּרָמִֽים
ו/יצו
tsâvâh
H6680
to command
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp
וַ/יְצַוּ֕וּ
tsâvâh
H6680
to command
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
בְּנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
Binyâmîyn
H1144
Benjamin
N-proper
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
לְכ֖וּ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
וַ/אֲרַבְתֶּ֥ם
ʼârab
H693
to ambush
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-2mp
בַּ/כְּרָמִֽים
kerem
H3754
vineyard
Prep | N-cp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 21:20
ו/יצו
tsâvâh
H6680
"to command"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp
To command or give orders, as seen in the Bible when God gives charge to his people. It can also mean to appoint or ordain someone for a task. This word is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order 1a)(Piel) 1a1) to lay charge upon 1a2) to give charge to, give command to 1a3) to give charge unto 1a4) to give charge over, appoint 1a5) to give charge, command 1a6) to charge, command 1a7) to charge, commission 1a8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act) 1b) (Pual) to be commanded
Usage: Occurs in 475 OT verses. KJV: appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 10:13; Deuteronomy 12:11.
וַ/יְצַוּ֕וּ
tsâvâh
H6680
"to command"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp
To command or give orders, as seen in the Bible when God gives charge to his people. It can also mean to appoint or ordain someone for a task. This word is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order 1a)(Piel) 1a1) to lay charge upon 1a2) to give charge to, give command to 1a3) to give charge unto 1a4) to give charge over, appoint 1a5) to give charge, command 1a6) to charge, command 1a7) to charge, commission 1a8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act) 1b) (Pual) to be commanded
Usage: Occurs in 475 OT verses. KJV: appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 10:13; Deuteronomy 12:11.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בְּנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
Binyâmîyn
H1144
"Benjamin"
N-proper
Benjamin means son of the right hand, referring to the youngest son of Jacob and the tribe that descended from him. The term is first used in Genesis 35:18. Benjamin was a brother of Joseph and a half-brother of Reuben and others.
Definition: § Benjamin = "son of the right hand" a gate in Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 160 OT verses. KJV: Benjamin. See also: Genesis 35:18; 1 Samuel 9:21; Psalms 68:28.
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לְכ֖וּ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
וַ/אֲרַבְתֶּ֥ם
ʼârab
H693
"to ambush"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-2mp
This verb means to lie in wait or ambush someone, often used to describe a surprise attack. It is used in the Bible to talk about people who are hiding and waiting to attack. The word can also mean to lay a trap for someone.
Definition: 1) to lie in wait, ambush, lurk 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie in wait 1a2) ambush (participle as subst) 1b) (Piel) ambushers, liers-in-wait (pl. participle) 1c) (Hiphil) to lay an ambush
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lie in) ambush(-ment), lay (lie in) wait. See also: Deuteronomy 19:11; Judges 20:38; Psalms 10:9.
בַּ/כְּרָמִֽים
kerem
H3754
"vineyard"
Prep | N-cp
A vineyard, or kerem, was a garden or plot of land used for growing vines and other crops. In the Bible, vineyards were often used as a symbol of prosperity and abundance, as seen in the book of Isaiah and the parables of Jesus.
Definition: vineyard
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: vines, (increase of the) vineyard(-s), vintage. See also H1021 (בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם). See also: Genesis 9:20; Nehemiah 5:11; Psalms 107:37.
Study Notes — Judges 21:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Wives for the Benjamites
18But we cannot give them our daughters as wives.” For the Israelites had sworn, “Cursed is he who gives a wife to a Benjamite.”
19“But look,” they said, “there is a yearly feast to the LORD in Shiloh, which is north of Bethel east of the road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah.”
20So they commanded the Benjamites: “Go, hide in the vineyards
21and watch. When you see the daughters of Shiloh come out to perform their dances, each of you is to come out of the vineyards, catch for himself a wife from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin. 22When their fathers or brothers come to us to complain, we will tell them, ‘Do us a favor by helping them, since we did not get wives for each of them in the war. Since you did not actually give them your daughters, you have no guilt.’”Judges 21:20 Summary
In Judges 21:20, the Israelites tell the Benjamites to hide in the vineyards near Shiloh, where they can find wives among the daughters of Shiloh. This plan is part of a larger effort to help the Benjamites, who were in danger of becoming extinct due to their lack of wives. The Israelites are trying to find a way to help the Benjamites while still keeping their promise not to give them their daughters as wives, as stated in Judges 21:18. This story shows how the Israelites valued the preservation of their fellow Israelites and were willing to think creatively to achieve this goal, much like the importance of preserving unity and helping one another emphasized in Ephesians 4:3 and Galatians 6:2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites command the Benjamites to hide in the vineyards?
The Israelites commanded the Benjamites to hide in the vineyards as part of a plan to help the Benjamites find wives, since they had sworn not to give their daughters to the Benjamites, as stated in Judges 21:18. This plan was necessary because the Benjamites were in danger of becoming extinct due to their lack of wives.
What was the significance of the yearly feast to the Lord in Shiloh?
The yearly feast to the Lord in Shiloh, mentioned in Judges 21:19, was a celebration where the daughters of Shiloh would come out to perform their dances, providing an opportunity for the Benjamites to find wives, as instructed in Judges 21:20-21. This feast is not directly mentioned in other parts of the Bible, but it is similar to other festivals and celebrations mentioned in books such as Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story in Judges 21?
This verse is a key part of the story in Judges 21, as it describes the plan devised by the Israelites to help the Benjamites find wives, despite their previous oath. The success of this plan is crucial to the survival of the Benjamite tribe, and it is a turning point in the story.
What can we learn from the Israelites' actions in this verse?
The Israelites' actions in this verse demonstrate their desire to help the Benjamites and preserve their tribe, while also trying to find a way around their previous oath. This shows that they valued the preservation of their fellow Israelites and were willing to think creatively to achieve this goal, much like the importance of preserving unity and helping one another emphasized in Ephesians 4:3 and Galatians 6:2.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can think creatively to help others, while still being faithful to my commitments and values, just like the Israelites in this verse?
- How can I balance my desire to help others with the need to keep my promises and maintain integrity, as seen in the Israelites' actions in Judges 21:20?
- What are some situations in my life where I need to find a way to reconcile competing values or commitments, and how can I seek wisdom and guidance from God in these situations, as the Israelites did in Judges 21?
- How can I prioritize the preservation of unity and the well-being of those around me, as the Israelites did in this verse, and what role can I play in helping to build up and support my community?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 21:20
Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin,.... The two hundred men of the tribe that wanted wives; they ordered them as follows, and which they spake with authority, being the elders of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 21:20
Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards; No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 21:20
Judges 21:20 Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;Ver. 20. Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin.] Who should first have examined the commands of their superiors, before they had obeyed them. Obediemus Artridis honesta mandantibus, saith the tragedian Eurip., in Iphig.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 21:20
(20) They commanded.—Rather, they gave notice. This is the keri or marginal reading of the Hebrew; the kethib, or written text, has the verb in the singular, in which case we must take it impersonally, “It was bidden,” and suppose that some leading personage—probably Phinehas, the impress of whose character and reminiscences is observable throughout—is the speaker.