Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now, all you Israelites, speak up and tell me what you have decided to do.” New Living Translation Now then, all of you—the entire community of Israel—must decide here and now what should be done about this!” English Standard Version Behold, you people of Israel, all of you, give your advice and counsel here.” Berean Standard Bible Behold, all you Israelites, give your advice and verdict here and now.” Berean Literal Bible Behold, all you⁺ sons of Israel, give for you⁺ a word and counsel here.” King James Bible Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel. New King James Version Look! All of you are children of Israel; give your advice and counsel here and now!” New American Standard Bible Behold, all you sons of Israel, give your response and advice here.” NASB 1995 “Behold, all you sons of Israel, give your advice and counsel here.” NASB 1977 “Behold, all you sons of Israel, give your advice and counsel here.” Legacy Standard Bible Behold, all you sons of Israel, give your advice and counsel here.” Amplified Bible Now then, all you sons of Israel, all of you, give your advice and counsel here [regarding what should be done].” Berean Annotated Bible Behold, all you⁺ Israelites (God prevails), give your⁺ advice and verdict here and now. Christian Standard Bible Look, all of you are Israelites. Give your judgment and verdict here and now.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Look, all of you are Israelites. Give your judgment and verdict here and now.” American Standard Version Behold, ye children of Israel, all of you, give here your advice and counsel. Contemporary English Version You are the people of Israel, and you must decide today what to do about the men of Gibeah. English Revised Version Behold, ye children of Israel, all of you, give here your advice and counsel. GOD'S WORD® Translation All you people of Israel, tell me what you think. Give me your advice right now!" Good News Translation All of you here are Israelites. What are we going to do about this?" International Standard Version So look, all you Israelis! Speak up and give us your advice!" NET Bible All you Israelites, make a decision here!" New Heart English Bible Look, you children of Israel, all of you, give your advice and counsel here." Webster's Bible Translation Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBehold, all you Israelites, give your advice and verdict here and now.” World English Bible Behold, you children of Israel, all of you, give here your advice and counsel.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbehold, you [are] all sons of Israel; give for yourselves a word and counsel here.” Berean Literal Bible Behold, all you⁺ sons of Israel, give for you⁺ a word and counsel here.” Young's Literal Translation lo, ye are all sons of Israel; give for you a word and counsel here.' Smith's Literal Translation Behold, all ye sons of Israel; give for yourselves the word and counsel here. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleYou are all here, O children of Israel, determine what you ought to do. Catholic Public Domain Version You are all present here, O sons of Israel. Discern what you ought to do.” New American Bible So now, all you Israelites, give your judgment and counsel in this matter.” New Revised Standard Version So now, you Israelites, all of you, give your advice and counsel here.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, you are all here, O children of Israel, give an answer and counsel concerning this crime. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Behold, all of you sons of Israel, give an answer and counsel on this!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, ye are all here, children of Israel, give here your advice and council.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Behold, all ye are children of Israel; and consider and take counsel here among yourselves. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Decree of the Assembly…6Then I took my concubine, cut her into pieces, and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance, because they had committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel. 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.… Cross References Behold, all you Israelites, Joshua 24:1 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. 1 Samuel 7:5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.” 1 Kings 8:2 And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim. give your advice 1 Kings 12:6 Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. 2 Chronicles 10:6 Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. 2 Samuel 16:20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?” and verdict Deuteronomy 1:16-17 At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. / Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” Deuteronomy 17:8-10 If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. / You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, 2 Chronicles 19:6-7 Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” here and now.” Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, 1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. Deuteronomy 13:12-18 If, regarding one of the cities the LORD your God is giving you to inhabit, you hear it said / that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known), / then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, … Joshua 22:11-20 Then the Israelites received the report: “Behold, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the border of the land of Canaan, at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side.” / And when they heard this, the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them. / The Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest to the land of Gilead, to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. … 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. 2 Samuel 19:9-10 And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?” Treasury of Scripture Behold, you are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel. ye are all Exodus 19:5,6 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: … Deuteronomy 4:6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. Deuteronomy 14:1,2 Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead… give here Judges 19:30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds. Joshua 9:14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. Proverbs 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. Jump to Previous Advice Children Council Counsel Here Israel Israelites Speak Suggestions Verdict WordJump to Next Advice Children Council Counsel Here Israel Israelites Speak Suggestions Verdict WordJudges 20 1. The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong8. 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. Behold, all you Israelites This phrase calls attention to the collective identity of the Israelites, emphasizing their unity as God's chosen people. The term "Israelites" refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, and highlights their covenant relationship with God. This collective identity is crucial in the context of Judges, where tribal divisions often lead to conflict. The call to the Israelites underscores the need for national unity in addressing the moral and social issues facing the nation. give your advice and verdict here and now. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe collective tribes of Israel, who are gathered to address a grievous sin committed in the tribe of Benjamin. 2. Tribe of Benjamin One of the twelve tribes of Israel, which is at the center of the conflict due to the heinous crime committed by some of its members. 3. Levite and His Concubine The Levite's concubine was brutally abused and murdered by men from Gibeah, a city in Benjamin, which led to the assembly of the tribes. 4. Gibeah A city in the territory of Benjamin where the crime took place, sparking outrage among the other tribes. 5. Assembly at Mizpah The gathering of the Israelite tribes at Mizpah to deliberate on the response to the crime committed in Gibeah. Teaching Points Communal ResponsibilityThe Israelites' gathering to address the sin in Benjamin underscores the importance of communal responsibility in dealing with sin. As believers, we are called to hold each other accountable and seek justice. Seeking Godly Counsel The call for advice and counsel highlights the need for seeking wisdom and guidance from God and godly leaders when addressing difficult situations. The Consequences of Sin The events in Judges 20 remind us of the destructive nature of sin and the importance of addressing it promptly to prevent further harm. Unity in Righteousness The unity of the Israelite tribes in seeking justice serves as a model for the church to stand together in righteousness and truth. The Role of Leadership The leaders of Israel took initiative in addressing the sin, demonstrating the critical role of leadership in guiding the community towards righteousness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 20:7?2. How does Judges 20:7 emphasize the importance of collective decision-making among believers? 3. What can we learn from Israel's unity in Judges 20:7 for church conflicts? 4. How does Judges 20:7 connect with Matthew 18:20 on gathering in God's name? 5. How should we apply the call to action in Judges 20:7 today? 6. What role does accountability play in the community as seen in Judges 20:7? 7. How does Judges 20:7 reflect the moral and ethical standards of ancient Israelite society? 8. What does Judges 20:7 reveal about the communal decision-making process in biblical times? 9. How does the call to action in Judges 20:7 challenge modern Christian responsibility? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 20? 11. How plausible is it that just 232 junior officers could rout a massive Aramean army (1 Kings 20:15-21)? 12. Why would a single burnt offering (1 Samuel 7:9) miraculously grant the Israelites victory if similar rituals elsewhere did not? 13. Why does the text promote the abduction of women as a solution for the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 21:20-23)? 14. Why does Micah in Judges 17:5-6 feel justified in creating his own household shrine, despite the earlier commands against idol worship? What Does Judges 20:7 Mean Behold• The verse opens with an attention-grabbing word: “Behold.” All through Scripture this term signals that what follows demands the listener’s full focus (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:29). • Here it functions like a trumpet blast. The Levite has related the crime committed in Gibeah (Judges 19), and now he summons Israel to look squarely at the situation. • “Behold” also underscores that God’s covenant people cannot ignore sin in their midst (Numbers 32:23; Joshua 7:13). The call is not to casual observation but to moral engagement. All you Israelites • The appeal is collective: “all you Israelites.” No tribe is exempt, for the outrage in Benjamin threatens the holiness and unity of the whole nation (Deuteronomy 13:12-18; Judges 20:1). • Scripture consistently teaches corporate responsibility. When Achan sinned, all Israel suffered (Joshua 7:1-12). When one member rejoices or weeps, the whole body shares in it (1 Corinthians 12:26). • The phrase reminds believers today that the church is likewise a covenant community called to address sin together in love and truth (Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1-2). Give your advice and verdict • The Levite’s charge, “give your advice and verdict,” invites thoughtful counsel and righteous judgment. Israel’s elders were expected to weigh evidence carefully (Deuteronomy 17:8-13; Proverbs 15:22). • Justice in God’s economy is participatory. Leaders and people alike are to seek wisdom, listen to testimony, and decide in accordance with God’s law (Exodus 18:19-22; James 1:5). • Note the balance: zeal without due process becomes vengeance, while endless deliberation without action enables evil. God calls for both deliberation and decisive righteousness (Micah 6:8). Here and now • Finally, the phrase “here and now” presses for immediate obedience. Delayed justice would dishonor the violated woman and mock God’s holiness (Psalm 82:2-4). • Similar urgency rings through Joshua 24:15, “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,” and 2 Corinthians 6:2, “now is the day of salvation.” • The moment demands decision; neutrality is impossible. Faithfulness requires timely, concrete steps that reflect God’s character (John 9:4; Hebrews 3:15). summary Judges 20:7 summons God’s people to pause (“Behold”), to unite (“all you Israelites”), to deliberate under Scripture’s authority (“give your advice and verdict”), and to act without delay (“here and now”). The verse teaches that confronting sin is a covenant responsibility carried out through prayerful counsel and prompt obedience, safeguarding both God’s honor and the community’s purity. (7) Ye are all children of Israel.--There would not be much point in this remark. Rather, ye are all here, children of Israel.Your advice and counsel.--Judges 19:30. "In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom." Verse 7. - Ye are all children of Israel. He appeals to them as men bound to wipe away the shame and disgrace of their common country. He speaks with force and dignity under the sense of a grievous wrong and a crushing sorrow.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Behold,הִנֵּ֥ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! all כֻלְּכֶ֖ם (ḵul·lə·ḵem) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every you Israelites, בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son give הָב֥וּ (hā·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 3051: To give, to put, imperatively, come your לָכֶ֛ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew advice דָּבָ֥ר (dā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause and verdict וְעֵצָ֖ה (wə·‘ê·ṣāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence here and now.” הֲלֹֽם׃ (hă·lōm) Adverb Strong's 1988: Hith-er Links Judges 20:7 NIVJudges 20:7 NLT Judges 20:7 ESV Judges 20:7 NASB Judges 20:7 KJV Judges 20:7 BibleApps.com Judges 20:7 Biblia Paralela Judges 20:7 Chinese Bible Judges 20:7 French Bible Judges 20:7 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 20:7 Behold you children of Israel all (Jd Judg. 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