Judges 20:9
Judges 20:9 in Multiple Translations
Now this is what we will do to Gibeah: We will go against it as the lot dictates.
But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;
But now this is the thing which we will do to Gibeah: we will go up against it by lot;
But this is what we will do to Gibeah: we will go up against it by the decision of the Lord;
This is what we're going to do to Gibeah: we will attack it with our forces chosen by lot.
But now this is that thing which we will do to Gibeah: we wil goe vp by lot against it,
and now, this [is] the thing which we do to Gibeah — against it by lot!
But now this is the thing which we will do to Gibeah: we will go up against it by lot;
But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah: we will go up by lot against it;
But this we will do in common against Gabaa:
This is what we must do to the people of Gibeah. First, we will ◄cast lots/throw marked stones► to determine which group should attack them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 20:9
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 20:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עַתָּ֕ה
זֶ֣ה
הַ/דָּבָ֔ר
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
נַעֲשֶׂ֖ה
לַ/גִּבְעָ֑ה
עָלֶ֖י/הָ
בְּ/גוֹרָֽל
וְ/עַתָּ֕ה
ʻattâh
H6258
now
Conj | Adv
זֶ֣ה
zeh
H2088
this
Pron
הַ/דָּבָ֔ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Art | N-ms
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
נַעֲשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
לַ/גִּבְעָ֑ה
Gibʻâh
H1390
Gibeah
Prep | N-proper
עָלֶ֖י/הָ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
בְּ/גוֹרָֽל
gôwrâl
H1486
allotted
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 20:9
וְ/עַתָּ֕ה
ʻattâh
H6258
"now"
Conj | Adv
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases
Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.
זֶ֣ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
הַ/דָּבָ֔ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Art | N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
נַעֲשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לַ/גִּבְעָ֑ה
Gibʻâh
H1390
"Gibeah"
Prep | N-proper
Gibeah was a city in Palestine, specifically in the region of Benjamin, and was the birthplace of King Saul. The name means hill, and it is mentioned in various KJV translations as Gibeah or the hill.
Definition: § Gibeah = "hill" a city of Benjamin, birthplace of king Saul
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: Gibeah, the hill. See also: Joshua 15:57; Judges 20:36; Isaiah 10:29.
עָלֶ֖י/הָ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
בְּ/גוֹרָֽל
gôwrâl
H1486
"allotted"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a pebble or small stone used for making decisions by casting lots. It symbolizes a portion or destiny assigned by chance, like the drawing of lots to determine an outcome. This concept is central to ancient Israelite decision-making practices.
Definition: 1) lot 1a) lot-pebbles used for systematically making decisions 2) portion 2a) lot, portion (thing assigned by casting lots) 2b) recompense, retribution
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: lot. See also: Leviticus 16:8; Judges 1:3; Psalms 16:5.
Study Notes — Judges 20:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 20:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 20:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 20:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 20:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 20:9
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 20:9
- Barnes' Notes on Judges 20:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 20:9
- Sermons on Judges 20:9
Context — The Decree of the Assembly
7Behold, all you Israelites, give your advice and verdict here and now.”
8Then all the people stood as one man and said, “Not one of us will return to his tent or to his house.
9Now this is what we will do to Gibeah: We will go against it as the lot dictates.
10We will take ten men out of every hundred from all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred out of every thousand, and a thousand out of every ten thousand, to supply provisions for the army when they go to Gibeah in Benjamin to punish them for the atrocity they have committed in Israel.” 11So all the men of Israel gathered as one man, united against the city.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonah 1:7 | “Come!” said the sailors to one another. “Let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity that is upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. |
| 2 | Nehemiah 11:1 | Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns. |
| 3 | Joshua 14:2 | Their inheritance was assigned by lot for the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. |
| 4 | Proverbs 16:33 | The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 14:41–42 | So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim; but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge. Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected. |
| 6 | Acts 1:26 | Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. |
| 7 | 1 Chronicles 24:5 | Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants. |
Judges 20:9 Summary
In Judges 20:9, the Israelites are deciding how to punish the city of Gibeah for a terrible sin that was committed there, as mentioned in Judges 19:22-30. They want to make sure that justice is served, but they also want to do it in a way that honors God, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:15-21. This verse reminds us that God is a God of justice and righteousness, and that He expects His people to uphold these values, as stated in Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 1:17. As we consider this verse, we can ask ourselves how we can promote justice and righteousness in our own lives, with the help of scripture references like Amos 5:24 and Psalm 37:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the phrase 'as the lot dictates' in Judges 20:9?
The phrase 'as the lot dictates' refers to the Israelites' decision to use a random process, possibly similar to casting lots, to determine their battle strategy against Gibeah, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Proverbs 16:33 and Acts 1:26.
Why did the Israelites decide to go against Gibeah?
The Israelites decided to go against Gibeah because of the atrocity committed by the men of Gibeah, as mentioned in Judges 19:22-30, which was a grave sin that needed to be punished, as emphasized in Leviticus 18:22 and Deuteronomy 23:17.
Is this verse promoting violence or revenge?
This verse is not promoting violence or revenge, but rather the Israelites' desire to uphold justice and punish those who have committed evil, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:15-21 and Romans 13:1-4, which emphasize the importance of justice and accountability.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of the book of Judges?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the book of Judges, which explores the cycle of sin, judgment, and redemption in Israel, as seen in Judges 2:10-23 and 21:25, highlighting the need for God's people to remain faithful and obedient to His commands, as stated in Deuteronomy 8:11 and Joshua 1:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can stand up against injustice in my own community, just like the Israelites did in this verse?
- How can I balance the desire for justice with the command to love my enemies, as seen in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-36?
- What are some 'lots' that I have cast in my life, and how have they turned out, in relation to Proverbs 16:33?
- How can I ensure that my actions are guided by a desire to please God, rather than my own personal desires or biases, as encouraged in Colossians 3:17 and 1 Corinthians 10:31?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 20:9
But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah,.... Where the fact was done; what follows was proposed by some, and unanimously agreed to by all: we will go up by lot against it; cast
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 20:9
But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it; No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 20:9
Judges 20:9 But now this [shall be] the thing which we will do to Gibeah; [we will go up] by lot against it;Ver. 9. We will go up by lot against it.] They do not shake off the plaintiff, or send him to Gibeah for satisfaction, or defer the further hearing and determining of the cause, as the Areopagites dealt by the dame of Smyrna, whom they appointed to appear some hundred years after; but, We will presently go up, say they, and that by lot, that none may think himself wronged.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 20:9
(9) We will go up by lot against it.—The English Version follows the LXX. and other versions in supplying “we will go up.” This is like the decision of the Amphictyonic counsel against the guilty city of Crissa (Grote, iv. 85). But perhaps it should be rendered “we will cast the lot upon it,” to divide its territory when conquered.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 20:9
9. we will go up against it by lot] An accidental omission from the text makes it necessary to supply a verb; the LXX reads we will go up. Judging from Judges 20:18 and Judges 1:1, the object of casting lots was to find out which tribe should go up first to the attack.
Barnes' Notes on Judges 20:9
By lot - To determine who should go up first Judges 20:18. The shape of the ground probably made it impossible for the whole force to operate at once; and the question of spoil would have something to do with the arrangement.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 20:9
9. By lot against it — That is, We will deal with Gibeah just as our fathers, by divine commandment, dealt with devoted Canaanitish cities: we will subdue it, destroy all its inhabitants, and then
Sermons on Judges 20:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Nehemiah) ch.11 - ch.13 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenges Nehemiah faced in getting people to live in Jerusalem. The city was in a state of disrepair and lacked opportunities for financ |
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A Peculiar Treasure by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of being a 'peculiar treasure' to God, drawing parallels between the voluntary commitment of the people in Nehemiah's time to dwell in |
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The Supremacy of Christ in an Age of Terror by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the reason for the existence of a troubled and terrorized world is not because God is not in control. The Bible clearly states that God |
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Of the Providence of God by Thomas Boston | Thomas Boston preaches on the providence of God, emphasizing how God's care extends even to the smallest details of creation, such as sparrows. He explains that providence involves |
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Look Up by Erlo Stegen | Erlo Stegen emphasizes the importance of looking up to God during life's storms, using the story of a sailor who found stability by focusing on his captain's voice. He reminds us t |
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The Apostles by Watchman Nee | Watchman Nee emphasizes that God is a God of works, who sends His servants, particularly the apostles, to fulfill His divine purpose. He explains that Jesus Christ is the first Apo |