Judges 20:3
New International Version
(The Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) Then the Israelites said, “Tell us how this awful thing happened.”

New Living Translation
(Word soon reached the land of Benjamin that the other tribes had gone up to Mizpah.) The Israelites then asked how this terrible crime had happened.

English Standard Version
(Now the people of Benjamin heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the people of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this evil happen?”

Berean Standard Bible
(Meanwhile the Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this wicked thing happen?”

King James Bible
(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?

New King James Version
(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) Then the children of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wicked deed happen?”

New American Standard Bible
(Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wickedness take place?”

NASB 1995
(Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wickedness take place?”

NASB 1977
(Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wickedness take place?”

Legacy Standard Bible
(Then the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this evil take place?”

Amplified Bible
(Now the Benjamites [in whose territory the crime was committed] heard that the [other tribes of the] sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the sons of Israel said, “How did this evil thing happen?”

Christian Standard Bible
The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. The Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this evil act happen? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. The Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this outrage occur?”

American Standard Version
(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpah.) And the children of Israel said, Tell us, how was this wickedness brought to pass?

English Revised Version
(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpah.) And the children of Israel said, Tell us, how was this wickedness brought to pass?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The people of Benjamin heard that Israel had come to Mizpah. The people of Israel said, "Tell us how such an evil thing could happen."

Good News Translation
Meanwhile the people of Benjamin heard that all the other Israelites had gathered at Mizpah. The Israelites asked, "Tell us, how was this crime committed?"

International Standard Version
While the descendants of Benjamin were learning that the Israelis had gone up to Mizpah, the Israelis asked, "Somebody tell us how this evil could happen?"

Majority Standard Bible
(Meanwhile the Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites asked, ?Tell us, how did this wicked thing happen??

NET Bible
The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. Then the Israelites said, "Explain how this wicked thing happened!"

New Heart English Bible
(Now the people of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) The children of Israel said, "Tell us, how did this wickedness happen?"

Webster's Bible Translation
(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?

World English Bible
(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) The children of Israel said, “Tell us, how did this wickedness happen?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sons of Benjamin hear that the sons of Israel have gone up to Mizpeh. And the sons of Israel say, “Speak! How has this evil been?”

Young's Literal Translation
And the sons of Benjamin hear that the sons of Israel have gone up to Mizpeh. And the sons of Israel say, 'Speak ye, how hath this evil been?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Benjamin will hear that the sons of Israel went up to Mizpeh. And the sons of Israel will say, Speak ye; how was this evil?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
(Nor were the children of Benjamin ignorant that the children of Israel were come up to Maspha.) And the Levite the husband of the woman that was killed, being asked, how so great a wickedness had been committed,

Catholic Public Domain Version
(But it was not hidden from the sons of Benjamin that the sons of Israel had ascended to Mizpah.) And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was killed, being questioned as to how so great a crime had been perpetrated,

New American Bible
Meanwhile, the Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah. The Israelites asked, “How did this evil thing happen?”

New Revised Standard Version
(Now the Benjaminites heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites said, “Tell us, how did this criminal act come about?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
(Now the Benjamites heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how did this wickedness happen?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel came up to Matspaya, and the sons of Israel said: “Tell us how this evil happened”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpah.--And the children of Israel said: 'Tell us, how was this wickedness brought to pass?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Massepha: and the children of Israel came and said, Tell us, where did this wickedness take place?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Decree of the Assembly
2The leaders of all the people and all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of God’s people: 400,000 men on foot, armed with swords. 3(Meanwhile the Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites asked, “Tell us, how did this wicked thing happen?” 4So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered: “I and my concubine came to Gibeah in Benjamin to spend the night.…

Cross References
Genesis 34:30
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”

Joshua 22:12
And when they heard this, the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them.

1 Samuel 11:7
He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.

1 Samuel 15:4
So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

1 Samuel 17:47
And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 18:30
Every time the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers, so that his name was highly esteemed.

1 Samuel 23:8
Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

2 Samuel 2:25
The Benjamites rallied to Abner, formed a single unit, and took their stand atop a hill.

2 Samuel 10:17
When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam. Then the Arameans arrayed themselves against David and fought against him.

2 Samuel 20:14
Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel-beth-maacah and through the entire region of the Berites, who gathered together and followed him.

2 Kings 3:21
Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border.

2 Chronicles 20:3
Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Matthew 26:59
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.

Mark 14:55
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.


Treasury of Scripture

(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?

the children of Benjamin

Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Matthew 5:25
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Luke 12:58,59
When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison…

how was

Judges 19:22-27
Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him…

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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.














Now the Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah
Now
The use of "Now" serves as a transitional word, indicating a shift in the narrative. It connects the previous events with the current situation, emphasizing the continuity of the unfolding story. In the context of Judges, this transition marks a pivotal moment in the escalating conflict between the tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. It underscores the immediacy and urgency of the situation, as the narrative moves from the heinous crime committed in Gibeah to the collective response of the Israelite tribes.

the Benjamites
The Benjamites, descendants of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, are one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Historically, the tribe of Benjamin held a strategic position in the land of Israel, often caught between larger tribes. Their mention here highlights the internal strife within the nation of Israel, as the Benjamites are set apart from the other tribes due to their defense of the perpetrators in Gibeah. This sets the stage for a tragic civil conflict, illustrating the consequences of moral decay and disunity among God's people.

heard
The word "heard" implies that the Benjamites were informed or became aware of the actions of the other Israelite tribes. This suggests a communication network among the tribes, despite the decentralized nature of Israel during the time of the Judges. The act of hearing also carries a deeper significance in biblical literature, often associated with understanding and response. In this context, the Benjamites' hearing of the Israelites' assembly at Mizpah foreshadows their decision to either align with or oppose their fellow Israelites.

that the Israelites
The term "Israelites" refers to the collective tribes of Israel, descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob. In this verse, it emphasizes the unity of the tribes in response to the atrocity committed in Gibeah. The Israelites' gathering signifies a rare moment of national solidarity, driven by a shared sense of justice and moral outrage. This collective identity is crucial in understanding the dynamics of the ensuing conflict, as it contrasts with the isolation of the Benjamites.

had gone up
The phrase "had gone up" indicates movement, often used in the Bible to describe a journey towards a place of significance, such as a city or a place of worship. In this context, it suggests a purposeful ascent to Mizpah, a location of historical and spiritual importance. The act of going up can also symbolize a call to action or a response to a higher moral or divine imperative, as the Israelites seek to address the sin that has occurred within their nation.

to Mizpah
Mizpah, meaning "watchtower" or "lookout," is a significant location in biblical history, often serving as a gathering place for the Israelites. It is a site associated with covenant renewal and communal decision-making. The choice of Mizpah as the meeting place underscores the gravity of the situation and the desire for divine guidance and justice. It reflects the Israelites' recognition of the need for collective repentance and action in the face of moral corruption, seeking to restore righteousness and order within their community.

(3) Heard.--Probably the Benjamites had received the same summons as the other tribes (see Judges 19:29), but insolently refused to notice the summons.

Tell us.--Literally, Tell ye us. The request is addressed to any who could give the necessary information.

Verse 3. - The children of Benjamin heard, etc. This seems to be mentioned to show that the absence of the Benjamites from the national council was not from ignorance, but from contumacy. Tell as, etc. This was addressed to all whom it might concern. The Levite answered.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
(Now the Benjamites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

heard
וַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the Israelites
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

had gone up
עָל֥וּ (‘ā·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to Mizpah.)
הַמִּצְפָּ֑ה (ham·miṣ·pāh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4709: Mizpah -- the name of several places in Israel

And the Israelites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

asked,
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Tell
דַּבְּר֕וּ (dab·bə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

us, how
אֵיכָ֥ה (’ê·ḵāh)
Interjection
Strong's 349: How?, how!, where

did this
הַזֹּֽאת׃ (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

wicked thing
הָרָעָ֥ה (hā·rā·‘āh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

happen?”
נִהְיְתָ֖ה (nih·yə·ṯāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


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OT History: Judges 20:3 Now the children of Benjamin heard that (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 20:2
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