Judges 20:3 Meaning and Explanation
“(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Benjamin learns of the gathering, while the assembled tribes call for the facts of the crime to be told.
What Does Judges 20:3 Mean?
An aside in parentheses notes that Benjamin, the tribe in which Gibeah lies, hears that Israel has assembled. They are aware, yet, as the chapter will show, they do not come to answer for the crime. The assembly itself does the right thing: before acting, they ask to hear what happened. 'Tell us, how was this wickedness?' They want testimony, not rumor.
There is wisdom in pausing to establish the facts before judgment. A community inflamed by atrocity can rush ahead of the truth; Israel here insists on hearing the account first. Yet the question is asked of the wronged party alone, with Benjamin absent and silent. The desire to do justice is good; doing it well requires that every side be truly heard. Even righteous anger must submit to careful, honest inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 20:3
What does Judges 20:3 mean?
Benjamin learns of the gathering, while the assembled tribes call for the facts of the crime to be told.