Judges 20:27
Judges 20:27 in Multiple Translations
And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,
And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
And the children of Israel asked of Jehovah (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
And the children of Israel made request to the Lord, (for the ark of the agreement of the Lord was there in those days,
The Israelites asked the Lord what to do. At that time the Ark of God's Agreement was kept there.
And the children of Israel asked the Lord (for there was the Arke of the couenat of God in those dayes,
And the sons of Israel ask of Jehovah, — and there [is] the ark of the covenant of God in those days,
The children of Israel asked the LORD (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
And the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
And inquired of him concerning their state. At that time the ark of the covenant of the Lord was there,
At that time, the Sacred Chest that contained the stone tablets on which were written the Ten Commandments was there at Bethel. A priest named Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron, often stood in front of that chest and talked with Yahweh. While he stood there on that day, he asked Yahweh, “Shall we go again to fight against our fellow Israelis from the tribe of Benjamin, or shall we stop fighting against them?” Yahweh answered, “Go again tomorrow, because tomorrow I will enable you to defeat them.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 20:27
BAB
Word Study
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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 20:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ
בְנֵֽי
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
בַּֽ/יהוָ֑ה
וְ/שָׁ֗ם
אֲרוֹן֙
בְּרִ֣ית
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֔ים
בַּ/יָּמִ֖ים
הָ/הֵֽם
וַ/יִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ
shâʼal
H7592
to ask
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בְנֵֽי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
בַּֽ/יהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Prep | N-proper
וְ/שָׁ֗ם
shâm
H8033
there
Conj | Adv
אֲרוֹן֙
ʼârôwn
H727
ark
N-cs
בְּרִ֣ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
covenant
N-fs
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֔ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
Art | N-mp
בַּ/יָּמִ֖ים
yôwm
H3117
day
Prep | N-mp
הָ/הֵֽם
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Art | Pron
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 20:27
וַ/יִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ
shâʼal
H7592
"to ask"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To ask or inquire, this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe seeking information or requesting something. It can also mean to beg or borrow, and is used in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament. The KJV translates it as ask, beg, or borrow.
Definition: 1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to ask, ask for 1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow 1a3) to enquire, enquire of 1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle) 1a5) to seek 1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully 1c2) to beg, practise beggary 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to be given on request 1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. See also: Genesis 24:47; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 2:8.
בְנֵֽי
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.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
בַּֽ/יהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
וְ/שָׁ֗ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Conj | Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
אֲרוֹן֙
ʼârôwn
H727
"ark"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for a box or chest, like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25:10-22. It can also mean a money chest or a coffin. In the Bible, it appears in stories about the Israelites and their sacred objects.
Definition: 1) chest, ark 1a) money chest 1b) Ark of the Covenant 2)(TWOT) coffin
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ark, chest, coffin. See also: Genesis 50:26; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 132:8.
בְּרִ֣ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
"covenant"
N-fs
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
הָ/אֱלֹהִ֔ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
בַּ/יָּמִ֖ים
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Prep | N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הָ/הֵֽם
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Art | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
Study Notes — Judges 20:27
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 20:27 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 20:27
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 20:27
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 20:27
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 20:27
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 20:27
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 20:27
- Sermons on Judges 20:27
Context — Civil War against Benjamin
25That same day the Benjamites came out against them from Gibeah and cut down another 18,000 Israelites, all of them armed with swords.
26Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.
27And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,
28and Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, served before it.) The Israelites asked, “Should we again go out to battle against our brothers the Benjamites, or should we stop?” The LORD answered, “Fight, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.” 29So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 18:1 | Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them, |
| 2 | Judges 20:18 | The Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, “Who of us shall go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” “Judah will be first,” the LORD replied. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 4:3–4 | When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.” So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. |
| 4 | Judges 20:23 | They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.” |
| 5 | Jeremiah 7:12 | But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. |
| 6 | Psalms 78:60–61 | He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men. He delivered His strength to captivity, and His splendor to the hand of the adversary. |
| 7 | Numbers 27:21 | He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.” |
| 8 | Isaiah 59:1 | Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. |
Judges 20:27 Summary
In Judges 20:27, the Israelites asked God for guidance and direction in their battle against the Benjamites. They sought God's will because they knew that He was with them, just like He was with the Israelites in Numbers 10:33-36. This verse teaches us that we should seek God's guidance in times of uncertainty, just like the Israelites did, and approach Him with humility and a willingness to obey His will, as mentioned in Isaiah 58:9-11. By seeking God's guidance, we can have confidence that He will direct our paths, just like He did for the Israelites in Judges 20:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites inquire of the Lord in Judges 20:27?
The Israelites inquired of the Lord because they were seeking guidance and direction in their battle against the Benjamites, as seen in Judges 20:26 where they wept and fasted before the Lord, and also in 1 Samuel 23:2 where David inquired of the Lord before going to battle.
What is the significance of the ark of the covenant of God being present in Judges 20:27?
The ark of the covenant represented God's presence among the Israelites, as mentioned in Exodus 25:22, and its presence in this verse signifies that God was with them, guiding and directing their actions, similar to how it was with the Israelites in Numbers 10:33-36.
How did the Israelites know that God would answer their inquiry in Judges 20:27?
The Israelites knew that God would answer their inquiry because of their experience with Him in the past, such as in Joshua 7:10-15 where the Lord spoke to Joshua, and also because they were seeking His will with a humble and repentant heart, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
What can we learn from the Israelites' example in Judges 20:27 about seeking God's guidance?
We can learn that seeking God's guidance is essential in times of uncertainty and decision-making, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, and that we should approach Him with humility and a willingness to obey His will, as mentioned in Isaiah 58:9-11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to seek God's guidance and direction, just like the Israelites did in Judges 20:27?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of humility and repentance in my heart, so that I can seek God's will with confidence, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14?
- What are some ways that I can prioritize seeking God's presence and guidance in my daily life, just like the Israelites did with the ark of the covenant in Judges 20:27?
- How can I apply the principle of seeking God's guidance in my decision-making, as mentioned in Proverbs 3:5-6, to my current circumstances and challenges?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 20:27
And the children of Israel inquired of the Lord,.... By the Word of the Lord, as the Targum, and which has the same expression in Jude 20:18 for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 20:27
And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 20:27
Inquired of the Lord, to wit, by Urim and Thummim, . Was there in Shiloh, where they were now assembled.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 20:27
Judges 20:27 And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God [was] there in those days,Ver. 27. And the children of Israel inquired of the Lord.] Now they could find the way to do everything well, as having paid for their learning. Affliction exciteth devotion; but “ Rarae fumant felicibus arae. ”
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 20:27
(27) Enquired of the Lord—i.e., of Jehovah, as in Judges 20:23. On the occasion of their first general inquiry (Judges 20:18) it is said that they “enquired of Elohim,” but it is impossible to draw any certain inferences from this change of expression. It is clear, however, that the nation had been thoroughly and beneficially humiliated by these two terrible reverses, and that their approach to Jehovah on this occasion was far more solemn and devout than it had been at first. Was there—i.e., at Bethel, though Bethel has not been mentioned in the English Version, owing to the erroneous rendering of the name by “House of God” in Judges 20:18-26.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 20:27
27. The ark… was there in those days — When and why it was brought there, and how many days it continued there, the sacred writer does not tell us, and we must be content to remain uninformed.
Sermons on Judges 20:27
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Presence of God - Part 1 by David Ravenhill | In this sermon, David Ravenhill discusses the story of the Ark of the Covenant being captured by the Philistines and the consequences it had on the Israelites. He emphasizes the im |
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Ai - Spiritual Warfare by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Joshua and the battle of A.I. after the victory at Jericho. Joshua sends spies to scout out A.I., a smaller city, and they repor |
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(1 Samuel) God Blesses When We Get Right by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not relying on our feelings, whether they are good or bad. The Israelites made the mistake of trusting in their feelings in |
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(1 Samuel) the Raiding of the Ark by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God cannot be manipulated or controlled by human plans or programs. He uses the example of Israel's defeat by the Philistines to illustr |
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Let Us Fetch the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the futility of relying on the Ark of the Covenant as a mere symbol of God's presence without a genuine spiritual relationship with Him. The Israelites believ |
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I Samuel 4:3 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the folly of relying on religious symbols and rituals instead of a genuine relationship with God. He explains that while outward forms of worship, like the A |
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The Ark of the Covenant by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches about the significance of the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle, highlighting how it represents Christ as the Ark of redemption, the embodiment of the Law, a |