Judges 20:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As a single body, the people rise and vow that none will return home until the matter is settled.
What Does Judges 20:8 Mean?
The assembly responds with united resolve. Rising 'as one man' again, they swear that not one of them will go back to tent or house. It is a pledge of total commitment: no one returns to ordinary life until the wrong is addressed. The repeated 'as one man' underscores a solidarity that has been painfully absent through the book of Judges.
Such single-hearted devotion to a cause is admirable when the cause is just. The people refuse to let comfort or distance dull their concern; the evil at Gibeah will not be quietly forgotten. There is a lesson here in the cost of righteousness, that it asks us to leave our ease behind. Yet unity and zeal are gifts that can be spent well or poorly. The chapters ahead will reveal whether this resolve is matched by the wisdom and mercy that God desires.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 20:8
What does Judges 20:8 mean?
As a single body, the people rise and vow that none will return home until the matter is settled.