Judges 20:26
New International Version
Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD.

New Living Translation
Then all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the LORD and fasted until evening. They also brought burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.

English Standard Version
Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
Then 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.

King James Bible
Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

New King James Version
Then all the children of Israel, that is, all the people, went up and came to the house of God and wept. They sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel, and they wept and remained there before the LORD, and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

NASB 1995
Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; thus they remained there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

NASB 1977
Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; thus they remained there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; thus they remained there before Yahweh and fasted that day until evening. And they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
Then all the sons of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel and wept; and they sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
The whole Israelite army went to Bethel where they wept and sat before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The whole Israelite army went to Bethel where they wept and sat before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD.

American Standard Version
Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto Beth-el, and wept, and sat there before Jehovah, and fasted that day until even; and they offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before Jehovah.

English Revised Version
Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto Beth-el, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then all the men of Israel and all the troops went to Bethel. They sat there and cried in the presence of the LORD and fasted that day until evening. Then they sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD.

Good News Translation
Then all the people of Israel went up to Bethel and mourned. They sat there in the LORD's presence and did not eat until evening. They offered fellowship sacrifices and burned some sacrifices whole--all in the presence of the LORD.

International Standard Version
All the Israelis, including its army, went up from there to Bethel and wept, remaining there in the LORD's presence, fasting throughout the day until dusk, when they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings in the LORD's presence.

Majority Standard Bible
Then 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.

NET Bible
So all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel. They wept and sat there before the LORD; they did not eat anything that day until evening. They offered up burnt sacrifices and tokens of peace to the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came to Bethel, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came to the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before the LORD.

World English Bible
Then all the children of Israel and all the people went up, and came to Bethel, and wept, and sat there before Yahweh, and fasted that day until evening; then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And all the sons of Israel go up, even all the people, and come to Beth-El, and weep, and sit there before YHWH, and fast on that day until the evening, and cause burnt-offerings and peace-offerings to ascend before YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And all the sons of Israel go up, even all the people, and come in to Beth-El, and weep, and sit there before Jehovah, and fast on that day till the evening, and cause to ascend burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the sons of Israel and all the people will go up, and they will come to the house of God, and they will weep, and they will sit there before Jehovah, and they will fast in that day till the evening, and they will bring up burnt-offerings and peace before Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore all the children of Israel came to the house of God, and sat and wept before the Lord: and they fasted that day till the evening, and offered to him holocausts, and victims of peace offerings,

Catholic Public Domain Version
As a result, all the sons of Israel went to the house of God, and sitting down, they wept before the Lord. And they fasted that day until evening, and they offered to him holocausts and victims of peace offerings.

New American Bible
So the entire Israelite army went up and entered Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and communion offerings before the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went back to Bethel and wept, sitting there before the LORD; they fasted that day until evening. Then they offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of well-being before the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up and came to Beth-el, and wept and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the sons of Israel came up, and all the people, and they came to Bayth Eil and they wept and they stayed there before LORD JEHOVAH and they fasted on that day until evening, and they offered up sacrifices and peace offerings before LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto Beth-el, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even; and they offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Israel and all the people went up, and came to Baethel; and they wept, and sat there before the Lord; and they fasted on that day until evening, and offered whole-burnt-offerings and perfect sacrifices, before the Lord,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



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,…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 20:3-4
Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. / So the people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD, and indeed, they came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him.

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Jonah 3:5-10
And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. / Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. ...

1 Samuel 7:6
When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

Nehemiah 9:1-3
On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads. / Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. / While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.

Ezra 8:21-23
And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. / For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect us from our enemies on the road, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.” / So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request.

2 Samuel 12:16-17
David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. / The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.

Daniel 9:3
So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Acts 13:2-3
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 14:23
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

Matthew 17:21
But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Mark 9:29
Jesus answered, “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”

Luke 2:37
and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Luke 5:33-35
Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.” / Jesus replied, “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came to the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

all the children

Judges 20:18,23
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first…

sept

1 Samuel 7:6
And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

2 Chronicles 20:3
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

Ezra 8:21
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

Jump to Previous
Bethel Beth-El Burnt Burnt-Offerings Children Evening House Israel Offered Offerings Peace Peace-Offerings Sat Wept
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Bethel Beth-El Burnt Burnt-Offerings Children Evening House Israel Offered Offerings Peace Peace-Offerings Sat Wept
Judges 20
1. The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong
8. The decree of the assembly
12. The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites
18. The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand
26. They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred.














Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel
Bethel, meaning "House of God," was a significant location in Israel's history. It was a place where Jacob had a vision of God (Genesis 28:19) and later became a center for worship. The Israelites' decision to go to Bethel indicates their desire to seek divine guidance and intervention. This reflects a pattern seen throughout the Old Testament, where the people of Israel sought God in times of distress.

where they sat weeping before the LORD
The act of weeping signifies deep sorrow and repentance. The Israelites were mourning the heavy losses they suffered in battle against the tribe of Benjamin. This emotional response is consistent with other biblical instances where God's people express their grief and seek His mercy, such as in the book of Lamentations. It underscores the importance of humility and contrition in approaching God.

That day they fasted until evening
Fasting is a spiritual discipline used to humble oneself before God and seek His favor. In the Old Testament, fasting often accompanied prayer and repentance, as seen in the story of Jonah and the Ninevites (Jonah 3:5-10). The Israelites' fast until evening demonstrates their earnestness in seeking God's guidance and forgiveness, acknowledging their dependence on Him.

and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD
Burnt offerings and peace offerings were integral parts of the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 1-3). Burnt offerings symbolized atonement and dedication to God, while peace offerings expressed thanksgiving and fellowship with Him. By presenting these offerings, the Israelites sought to restore their relationship with God and seek His favor in their conflict. This act foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the sacrificial system through His death and resurrection, providing eternal peace and reconciliation with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The collective tribes of Israel, who are in a state of distress and seeking guidance from God after suffering defeat in battle against the tribe of Benjamin.

2. Bethel
A significant location in Israelite history, often associated with worship and seeking God's presence. It is where the Israelites gathered to seek the Lord's guidance.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, whom the Israelites are seeking through fasting, weeping, and offerings.

4. Fasting and Weeping
Acts of humility and repentance, showing the Israelites' desperation and earnestness in seeking God's favor and guidance.

5. Burnt Offerings and Peace Offerings
Sacrificial acts of worship and reconciliation with God, symbolizing atonement and a desire for restored fellowship.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Seeking God in Crisis
In times of distress, turning to God with sincerity and humility is crucial. The Israelites' actions demonstrate the importance of seeking divine guidance and intervention.

The Role of Fasting and Repentance
Fasting and repentance are powerful spiritual disciplines that help believers align their hearts with God's will. They are expressions of dependence on God and a desire for spiritual renewal.

The Significance of Sacrificial Worship
Offering sacrifices, such as burnt and peace offerings, reflects a heart of worship and a desire for reconciliation with God. Today, believers can offer spiritual sacrifices through prayer, worship, and acts of service.

Community in Seeking God
The collective action of the Israelites highlights the strength and importance of community in seeking God. Believers are encouraged to come together in prayer and support during challenging times.

God's Faithfulness in Response to Genuine Seeking
The account assures believers of God's faithfulness to respond to those who earnestly seek Him with a humble heart.(26) And all the people--i.e., the non-combatants as well as the fighting men.

Unto the house of God.--Rather, to Bethel, as in Judges 20:18.

And wept.--These two battles must have caused an almost universal bereavement. (Comp. Lamentations 2:10; Psalm 137:1; Joel 1:8-14; Joel 2:12-17, &c.) . . .

Verse 26. - Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, etc. Observe the word all, twice repeated, as showing how the whole congregation was roused and stirred to a man by this second reverse. The people, as distinguished from the men of Israel, the army, probably means the non-fighting people, the aged, the infirm, women, etc. The house of God. Render, as in ver. 18 (see note), Bethel. Sat there. Sitting with the Jews, especially on the ground, was the attitude of grief and mourning (Job 2:13; Isaiah 47:1, 5; Lamentations 2:10, etc.). The Jews at the present day often sit on the ground at the place of wailing in Jerusalem. Before the Lord, i.e. before the tabernacle (see Judges 11:11, note), Fasted until evening. The usual time for terminating a fast among the Jews, as at the present day among Mahomedans. For similar fasts on solemn occasions of national guilt or grief, see 1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Samuel 1:12; Jeremiah 36:9; Nehemiah 9:1; Joel 1:14, etc. Peace offerings. Usually thank offerings (Leviticus 3; Leviticus 7:11, 12), but applicable to any voluntary sacrifice of which the flesh might be eaten the same day, or the day following, by the offerer (Leviticus 7:15, 16). Doubtless the people at the close of their fast ate the flesh of these peace offerings.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the Israelites,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people,
הָעָ֜ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

went up
וַיַּעֲל֣וּ (way·ya·‘ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to Bethel,
אֵ֗ל (’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1008: Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah

where
שָׁם֙ (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

they sat
וַיֵּ֤שְׁבוּ (way·yê·šə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

weeping
וַיִּבְכּוּ֙ (way·yiḇ·kū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD.
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

That
הַה֖וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day
בַיּוֹם־ (ḇay·yō·wm-)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

they fasted
וַיָּצ֥וּמוּ (way·yā·ṣū·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6684: To abstain from food, fast

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

evening
הָעָ֑רֶב (hā·‘ā·reḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

and presented
וַֽיַּעֲל֛וּ (way·ya·‘ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

burnt offerings
עֹל֥וֹת (‘ō·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

and peace offerings
וּשְׁלָמִ֖ים (ū·šə·lā·mîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8002: A sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace offering

to
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT History: Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 20:25
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