Bible Strands
Judges 20:27
And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Israelites are consulting the LORD at Bethel during the civil war against Benjamin, immediately after fasting and presenting offerings following their initial military defeat.
The words — וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ (va/i.yish.'a.Lu) translates to "and they enquired," and אֲרוֹן בְּרִית (a.rOn be.Rit) means "ark of covenant," marking the physical location where divine consultation occurs.
The thread — This pattern of national inquiry at a sacred site appears when Israel assembles at Shiloh to establish the Tent of Meeting (Joshua 18:1) and when elders question divine defeat before the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:3).
Why it lands — The text records Israel asking for battle direction while the ark remains present, requiring the reader to acknowledge that covenant worship remains the necessary channel for divine guidance during national crisis.
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 enquired of the Lord, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
Cross-references
- Joshua 18:1 Then the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. And though the land was subdued before them,
- 1 Samuel 4:3 When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.”
- 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.
- Numbers 27:21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”
- 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.”
- Psalms 78:60 He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men.
- Isaiah 59:1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.
- Jeremiah 7:12 But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel.