Judges 20:28 Meaning and Explanation
“And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Phinehas the priest ministers before the ark as Israel asks whether to fight, and the LORD promises victory on the next day.
What Does Judges 20:28 Mean?
The narrator names the priest who ministers before the ark: Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, a man remembered for his zeal for God's holiness. This detail also dates the events to the generation soon after Joshua, early in the time of the judges. Israel asks again, now even wondering whether to cease altogether. This time the LORD answers fully: 'Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.'
At last the promise of victory is given, but only after weeping, fasting, and sacrifice have humbled the people. God's timing is his own. He withheld the assurance until Israel sought him not for triumph alone but with broken and surrendered hearts. The verse shows that God hears the persistent, humbled prayer of his people and answers in his appointed time. When the promise comes, it comes from his hand, so that the victory will be his gift and not their boast.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 20:28
What does Judges 20:28 mean?
Phinehas the priest ministers before the ark as Israel asks whether to fight, and the LORD promises victory on the next day.