Judges 20:23

They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Israelite army, having regrouped after a failed initial assault, approaches the LORD before launching their second day of combat. They seek divine guidance regarding whether to continue fighting their fellow tribe of Benjamin.

The words — The verb וַ/יִּבְכּ֣וּ (va/i.yiv.Ku) translates literally as "and they wept," paired with the temporal phrase עַד־הָ/עֶרֶב ('ad-ha./'e.Rev) meaning "until the evening." This linguistic pairing establishes a fixed duration for their lament before receiving a response.

The thread — The pattern of prolonged lament before the LORD appears in Judges 20:26, where the people fast and weep at Bethel, while Joshua 7:6 records elders falling facedown before the ark until evening during the Achan crisis. Psalms 78:34 connects this posture to seeking God after suffering defeat.

Why it lands — The text records a direct inquiry followed by a clear command, showing that prolonged lament does not replace the need to ask for specific direction. It requires the reader to distinguish between emotional endurance and the act of seeking a concrete answer before proceeding.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

(And the children of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until even, and asked counsel of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the Lord said, Go up against him.)

Cross-references

Judges 20:26 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.
Joshua 7:6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads.
Psalms 78:34 When He slew them, they would seek Him; they repented and searched for God.
Hosea 5:15 Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”
Judges 20:18 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.