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Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
the Week of Proper 6 / Ordinary 11
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Read the Bible

New American Standard Bible (1995)

Judges 20:18

Now the sons of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God and said, "Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?" Then the LORD said, "Judah shall go up first."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Beth-El;   Church;   Tabernacle;   Urim and Thummim;   Wisdom;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Benjamin, Tribe of;   Jews, the;   Judah, the Tribe of;   Urim and Thummim;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Benjamin;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Bethel;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Urim and Thummim;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Bethel;   Thummim;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Pentateuch;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Bethel;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Benjamin;   Bethel;   Marriage;   Priests and Levites;   Samson;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Election;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Gibeah ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Gibeah;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Beth'el;   Shi'loh;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Government of the Hebrews;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Reign of the Judges;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Baal-Tamar;   Bethel;   House of God;   Law, Judicial;   Urim and Thummim;   War;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Beth-El;   High Place;   Urim and Thummim;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
They set out, went to Bethel, and inquired of God. The Israelites asked, “Who is to go first to fight for us against the Benjaminites?”
Hebrew Names Version
The children of Yisra'el arose, and went up to Beit-El, and asked counsel of God; and they said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Binyamin? the LORD said, Yehudah [shall go up] first.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
Then the Israelites got up and went up to Bethel, and they inquired of God, saying, "Who will go up first for the battle against the descendants of Benjamin?" And Yahweh said, "Judah will go first."
English Standard Version
The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, "Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?" And the Lord said, "Judah shall go up first."
New Century Version
The Israelites went up to the city of Bethel and asked God, "Which tribe shall be first to attack the Benjaminites?" The Lord answered, "Judah shall go first."
New English Translation
The Israelites went up to Bethel and asked God, "Who should lead the charge against the Benjaminites?" The Lord said, "Judah should lead."
Amplified Bible
The men of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and asked of God and said, "Which of us shall take the lead to battle against the sons [tribe] of Benjamin?" And the LORD said, "Judah [shall go up] first."
New American Standard Bible
Now the sons of Israel set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God and said, "Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?" Then the LORD said, "Judah shall go up first."
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the children of Israel arose, and went vp to the house of God, and asked of God, saying, Which of vs shal goe vp first to fight against the children of Beniamin? And the Lord said, Iudah shalbe first.
Legacy Standard Bible
En hulle het klaargemaak en opgetrek na Bet-el en God geraadpleeg; en die kinders van Israel het gesê: Wie van ons moet eerste optrek om te veg teen die kinders van Benjamin? Toe sê die HERE: Juda eerste.
Contemporary English Version
So they went to the place of worship at Bethel and asked God, "Which tribe should be the first to attack the people of Benjamin?" "Judah," the Lord answered.
Complete Jewish Bible
The army of Isra'el began by going up to Beit-El, where they asked God, "Who should go up first to attack the army of Binyamin?" Adonai said, "Y'hudah first."
Darby Translation
And the children of Israel arose and went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And Jehovah said, Judah first.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Israelites went up to the city of Bethel. At Bethel they asked God, "Which tribe will be first to attack the tribe of Benjamin?" The Lord answered, "The tribe of Judah will go first."
George Lamsa Translation
And the children of Israel arose and went up to Beth-el, and inquired of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to battle against the Benjamites? And the LORD said, Judah shall go first.
Good News Translation
The Israelites went to the place of worship at Bethel, and there they asked God, "Which tribe should attack the Benjaminites first?" The Lord answered, "The tribe of Judah."
Literal Translation
And they rose up and went up to Bethel and asked of God. And the sons of Israel said, Who shall go up for us at the beginning of the battle with the sons of Benjamin? And Jehovah said, Judah, at the beginning.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And the children of Israel arose, and wente vp to the house of God (in Silo) and axed at God, and sayde: Who shall go vp for vs to beginne the battayll with ye children of BenIamin? The LORDE saide: Iuda shall begynne.
American Standard Version
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to Beth-el, and asked counsel of God; and they said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin? And Jehovah said, Judah shall go up first.
Bible in Basic English
And they got up and went up to Beth-el to get directions from God, and the children of Israel said, Who is to be the first to go up to the fight against the children of Benjamin? And the Lord said, Judah is to go up first.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And the children of Israel arose, and wet vp to the house of God, and asked of God, saying: Whiche of vs shall go vp first to the battel against the children of Beniamin? And the Lorde sayd: Iuda shall begin.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to Beth-el, and asked counsel of God; and they said: 'Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin?' And the LORD said: 'Judah first.'
King James Version (1611)
And the children of Israel arose, and went vp to the house of God, and asked counsell of God, and saide, Which of vs shall goe vp first to the battell against the children of Beniamin? And the Lord said, Iudah shall goe vp first.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And they arose and went up to Baethel, and enquired of God: and the children of Israel said, Who shall go up for us first to fight with the children of Benjamin? And the Lord said, Juda shall go up first as leader.
English Revised Version
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to Beth-el, and asked counsel of God; and they said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Whiche riseden and camen in to the hows of God, that is in Silo; and thei counceliden God, and seiden, Who schal be prince in oure oost of the batel ayens the sones of Beniamyn? To whiche the Lord answeride, Judas be youre duyk.
Young's Literal Translation
And they rise and go up to Beth-El, and ask of God, and the sons of Israel say, `Who doth go up for us at the commencement to battle with the sons of Benjamin?' and Jehovah saith, `Judah -- at the commencement.'
Update Bible Version
And the sons of Israel arose, and went up to Beth-el, and asked counsel of God; and they said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the sons of Benjamin? And Yahweh said, Judah [shall go up] first.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
World English Bible
The children of Israel arose, and went up to Bethel, and asked counsel of God; and they said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin? Yahweh said, Judah [shall go up] first.
New King James Version
Then the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God [fn] to inquire of God. They said, "Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin?" The Lord said, "Judah first!"
New Living Translation
Before the battle the Israelites went to Bethel and asked God, "Which tribe should go first to attack the people of Benjamin?" The Lord answered, "Judah is to go first."
New Life Bible
The people of Israel went up to Bethel. There they asked God, "Who should go first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?" The Lord said, "Judah should go first."
New Revised Standard
The Israelites proceeded to go up to Bethel, where they inquired of God, "Which of us shall go up first to battle against the Benjaminites?" And the Lord answered, "Judah shall go up first."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And they arose, and went up to Bethel, and asked of God, and the sons of Israel said, Who shall go up for us first, to fight against the sons of Benjamin? And Yahweh said - Judah, first.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they arose and came to the house of God, that is, to Silo: and they consulted God, and said: Who shall be in our army the first to go to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the Lord answered them: Let Juda be your leader.
Revised Standard Version
The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, "Which of us shall go up first to battle against the Benjaminites?" And the LORD said, "Judah shall go up first."
THE MESSAGE
They set out and went to Bethel to inquire of God. The People of Israel said, "Who of us shall be first to go into battle with the Benjaminites?" God said, "Judah goes first."

Contextual Overview

18 Now the sons of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God and said, "Who shall go up first for us to battle against the sons of Benjamin?" Then the LORD said, "Judah shall go up first."19 So the sons of Israel arose in the morning and camped against Gibeah. 20 The men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin, and the men of Israel arrayed for battle against them at Gibeah. 21 Then the sons of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and felled to the ground on that day 22,000 men of Israel. 22 But the people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves and arrayed for battle again in the place where they had arrayed themselves the first day. 23 The sons of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until evening, and inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall we again draw near for battle against the sons of my brother Benjamin?" And the LORD said, "Go up against him." 24 Then the sons of Israel came against the sons of Benjamin the second day. 25 Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah the second day and felled to the ground again 18,000 men of the sons of Israel; all these drew the sword.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

house of: Judges 18:31, Judges 19:18, Joshua 18:1, Joel 1:14

asked: Judges 20:7, Judges 20:23, Judges 20:26, Judges 20:27, Judges 1:1, Numbers 27:5, Numbers 27:21, Joshua 9:14

Judah: Judges 1:1, Judges 1:2, Genesis 49:8-10

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:30 - General Judges 20:1 - unto the Judges 21:2 - the house Judges 21:12 - virgins 1 Samuel 10:22 - inquired 1 Samuel 14:18 - Bring hither 1 Samuel 14:37 - Shall I go 1 Samuel 30:8 - inquired 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 2 Kings 3:11 - that we may Proverbs 20:18 - and

Cross-References

Genesis 12:17
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
Genesis 16:2
So Sarai said to Abram, "Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
Genesis 20:7
"Now therefore, restore the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours."
Genesis 30:2
Then Jacob's anger burned against Rachel, and he said, "Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?"
1 Samuel 1:6
Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb.
1 Samuel 5:10
So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And as the ark of God came to Ekron the Ekronites cried out, saying, "They have brought the ark of the God of Israel around to us, to kill us and our people."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And the children of Israel arose,.... From Mizpeh, where they were assembled, having heard that the Benjaminites were gathered together to defend the men of Gibeah:

and went up to the house of God; to the tabernacle which was in Shiloh,

Judges 18:31, see Joshua 18:1 though the Targum takes Bethel for the name of a place so called; and so do Ben Gersom and Josephus p, which was near Shiloh, for Shiloh is said to be on the north side of Bethel,

Judges 21:19 but as there is no reason to believe the tabernacle was now removed from Shiloh thither, so it is not likely they would go to any other place but where the tabernacle ark, and high priest were:

and asked counsel of God; before Phinehas the high priest, according to the judgment of Urim and Thummim, Judges 20:28

and said which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? there being no supreme magistrate, judge, or general, to lead them; they did not ask whether they should go to war or no with their brethren; they made no doubt of that, taking it for granted they had sufficient reason for so doing, and that it was according to the will of God; nor did they inquire whether they should be victorious or not, they made no doubt of being victorious, both from their superior numbers, and the justness of their cause; they only inquire who should lead them on, having no general; and this they might do, to prevent any contentions among them about being precedence:

and the Lord said, Judah shall go up first: which tribe pitched their standard first about the tabernacle, and marched first in their journeys in the wilderness, and was ordered to go up first and fight the Canaanites, being a powerful and warlike tribe.

p Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 2. sect. 10.)

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Went up to the house of God - It should be “to Bethel.” At this time the ark was at Bethel (compare 1 Samuel 10:3), and not at Shiloh. It is not unlikely that though Shiloh was the chief residence of the ark Jeremiah 7:12, yet the tabernacle, being moveable, was, either at stated times, or as occasion required, moved to where the Judge resided, or the congregation assembled (compare 1 Samuel 7:16). On the present occasion the ark may have been moved to Bethel for the convenience of proximity to the great national council at Mizpeh.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Judges 20:18. Went up to the house of God — Some think that a deputation was sent from Shiloh, where Phinehas the high priest was, to inquire, not concerning the expediency of the war, nor of its success, but which of the tribes should begin the attack. Having so much right on their side, they had no doubt of the justice of their cause. Having such a superiority of numbers, they had no doubt of success. See Clarke on Jud 20:1.

And the Lord said, Judah — But he did not say that they should conquer.


 
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