New International VersionI took my concubine, cut her into pieces and sent one piece to each region of Israel’s inheritance, because they committed this lewd and outrageous act in Israel.
New Living TranslationSo I cut her body into twelve pieces and sent the pieces throughout the territory assigned to Israel, for these men have committed a terrible and shameful crime.
English Standard VersionSo I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel, for they have committed abomination and outrage in Israel.
Berean Standard BibleThen 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.
King James BibleAnd I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.
New King James VersionSo I took hold of my concubine, cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of the inheritance of Israel, because they committed lewdness and outrage in Israel.
New American Standard BibleAnd I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance; for they have committed an outrageous sin and vile act in Israel.
NASB 1995“And I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance; for they have committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel.
NASB 1977 “And I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance; for they have committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel.
Legacy Standard Bible And I seized my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance; for they have committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel.
Amplified BibleSo I took my concubine and cut her [corpse] in pieces and sent her [body parts] throughout the land of the inheritance of Israel; for the men of Gibeah have committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel.
Christian Standard BibleThen I took my concubine and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout Israel’s territory, because they have committed a wicked outrage in Israel.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen I took my concubine and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout Israel’s territory, because they committed a horrible shame in Israel.
American Standard VersionAnd I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel; for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.
Contemporary English VersionIt was a terrible thing for Israelites to do! So I cut up her body and sent the pieces everywhere in Israel.
English Revised VersionAnd I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationSo I took my concubine and cut her into pieces. Then I sent the pieces throughout the territory of Israel. I did this because the citizens of Gibeah did this perverted and godless thing in Israel.
Good News TranslationI took her body, cut it in pieces, and sent one piece to each of the twelve tribes of Israel. These people have committed an evil and immoral act among us.
International Standard VersionSo I grabbed my mistress, cut her in pieces, and sent her remains throughout the territory of Israel's inheritance, because they've committed a vile, stupid outrage in Israel.
NET BibleI grabbed hold of my concubine and carved her up and sent the pieces throughout the territory occupied by Israel, because they committed such an unthinkable atrocity in Israel.
New Heart English BibleI took my secondary wife, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of the inheritance of Israel; for they have committed wickedness and disgrace in Israel.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen 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.
World English BibleI took my concubine and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel; for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand I lay hold on my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and send her into all the country of the inheritance of Israel; for they have done wickedness and folly in Israel;
Young's Literal Translation and I lay hold on my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and send her into all the country of the inheritance of Israel; for they have done wickedness and folly in Israel;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd I laid hold of my concubine and I cut her in pieces, and sent her into all the field of the inheritance of Israel: for they did wickedness and folly in Israel. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I took her and cut her in pieces, and sent the, parts into all the borders of your possession: because there never was so heinous a crime, and so great an abomination committed in Israel.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd taking her up, I cut her into pieces, and I sent the parts into all the borders of your possession. For never before was such a nefarious crime, and so great a sin, committed in Israel.
New American BibleSo I took my concubine and cut her up and sent her through every part of the territory of Israel, because of the terrible thing they had done in Israel.
New Revised Standard VersionThen I took my concubine and cut her into pieces, and sent her throughout the whole extent of Israel’s territory; for they have committed a vile outrage in Israel. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent them throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel; for they had committed sin and wickedness in Israel.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd I took my Concubine and I cut her in pieces and I sent her to all the estates of the inheritance of Israel, because they had done sin and evil in Israel OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel; for they have committed lewdness and wantonness in Israel
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd I laid hold of my concubine, and divided her in pieces, and sent the parts into every coast of the inheritance of the children of Israel; for they have wrought lewdness and abomination in Israel.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Decree of the Assembly… 5And during the night, the men of Gibeah rose up against me and surrounded the house. They intended to kill me, but they abused my concubine, and she died. 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.”…
Cross References Hosea 9:9They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.
Hosea 10:9Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity?
Deuteronomy 13:12-18If, 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, ...
Judges 19:29-30When he reached his house, he picked up a knife, took hold of his concubine, cut her limb by limb into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout the territory of Israel. / And everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has been seen or done from the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until this day. Think it over, take counsel, and speak up!”
1 Samuel 11:7He 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.
Genesis 34:7When Jacob’s sons heard what had happened, they returned from the field. They were filled with grief and fury, because Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done.
Deuteronomy 22:21-24she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you. / If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. / If there is a virgin pledged in marriage to a man, and another man encounters her in the city and sleeps with her, ...
2 Samuel 20:1Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!”
1 Kings 21:13And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.
Isaiah 1:15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
Jeremiah 6:15Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD.
Ezekiel 16:36-38This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you poured out your wealth and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them, / therefore I will surely gather all the lovers with whom you found pleasure, all those you loved and all those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and expose you before them, and they will see you completely naked. / And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy.
Ezekiel 23:45-47But righteous men will sentence them to the punishment of those who commit adultery and bloodshed, because they are adulteresses with blood on their hands. / This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Bring a mob against them and consign them to terror and plunder. / The mob will stone them and cut them down with their swords. They will kill their sons and daughters and burn down their houses.
Matthew 10:14-15And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. / Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Matthew 11:23-24And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. / But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Judges 19:29
And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel. folly in Israel Judges 20:10
And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel. Judges 19:23
And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. Genesis 34:7
And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done. Jump to Previous Abomination Act Committed Concubine Country Cut Cutting Disgraceful Heritage Hold Inheritance Israel Israel's Lewdness Parts Piece Pieces Region Throughout Wantonness WickednessJump to Next Abomination Act Committed Concubine Country Cut Cutting Disgraceful Heritage Hold Inheritance Israel Israel's Lewdness Parts Piece Pieces Region Throughout Wantonness WickednessJudges 20 1. The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong8. The decree of the assembly12. The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites18. The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand26. They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred.Then I took my concubineThis phrase refers to the Levite's concubine, a secondary wife or partner, which was a common practice in ancient Israel. The Levite's actions follow the horrific events in Gibeah, where the concubine was abused and died. This reflects the moral decay and lawlessness during the time of the Judges, a period characterized by the repeated phrase, "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit" ( Judges 21:25). cut her into pieces
The act of dismembering the concubine's body was a shocking and gruesome method to convey the gravity of the crime committed. This act was intended to provoke a national response. It echoes the ancient Near Eastern practice of sending body parts as a call to arms or to highlight a severe injustice, similar to the story of Saul and the oxen in 1 Samuel 11:7. and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance
The distribution of the body parts to the tribes of Israel was a call for unity and action against the atrocity committed in Gibeah. The "land of Israel's inheritance" refers to the territories allotted to the twelve tribes, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the nation to uphold justice and righteousness. because they had committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel
The "lewd and disgraceful act" refers to the gang rape and murder of the concubine by the men of Gibeah, a crime that violated the covenantal laws of hospitality and protection. This phrase underscores the severity of the sin and the need for communal accountability. It also highlights the moral decline in Israel, drawing parallels to the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), and serves as a warning against turning away from God's commandments. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LeviteA central figure in this account, the Levite's actions set off a chain of events leading to civil war. His decision to dismember his concubine and send her parts throughout Israel was a call to action against the atrocity committed in Gibeah. 2. The ConcubineThe Levite's concubine was the victim of a horrific crime in Gibeah. Her tragic death becomes the catalyst for the events that follow. 3. GibeahA town in the territory of Benjamin where the crime against the concubine occurred. It becomes the focal point of Israel's outrage and subsequent military action. 4. The IsraelitesThe tribes of Israel, who are called to respond to the atrocity. Their reaction leads to a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin. 5. The BenjamitesThe tribe of Benjamin, who initially refuse to surrender the perpetrators of the crime, leading to conflict with the other tribes of Israel. Teaching Points The Consequences of Moral DecayThe events in Judges 20:6 illustrate the severe consequences of moral and spiritual decay within a community. When God's laws are ignored, chaos and injustice can prevail. The Importance of JusticeThe Levite's drastic actions underscore the need for justice in the face of evil. As believers, we are called to stand against injustice and seek righteousness. The Role of LeadershipThe lack of strong, godly leadership in Israel during this time led to moral anarchy. This highlights the importance of having leaders who uphold God's standards. Community ResponsibilityThe collective response of the tribes of Israel shows the importance of community responsibility in addressing sin and wrongdoing. As a body of believers, we must hold each other accountable. The Dangers of Unchecked SinThe account warns of the dangers of allowing sin to go unchecked within a community. It can lead to greater evils and ultimately, destruction. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 20:6?
2. How does Judges 20:6 highlight the consequences of ignoring God's moral laws?
3. What can we learn about justice from the actions in Judges 20:6?
4. How does Judges 20:6 connect to God's call for holiness in Leviticus 19:2?
5. How should Christians respond to sin within their community, as seen in Judges 20:6?
6. What steps can we take to prevent moral decay, as depicted in Judges 20:6?
7. Why did the Levite dismember his concubine in Judges 20:6?
8. How does Judges 20:6 reflect on the moral state of Israel at the time?
9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Judges 20:6?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 20?
11. Judges 19--How do we reconcile this brutal event with the portrayal of divine justice and compassion found in other parts of the Bible?
12. Judges 20:18-23 - Why would God direct Israel to attack Benjamin, allow defeat twice, and then finally grant them victory on the third attempt?
13. Judges 19:2--What historical or cultural factors would explain why the Levite's concubine stayed with her father instead of returning home?
14. Numbers 20:14-21 - Is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting Edom's refusal to allow Israel passage?What Does Judges 20:6 Mean Then I took my concubine• The Levite begins his testimony before the assembled tribes (Judges 20:4-5), stating plainly that the woman was his legitimate concubine—someone under his covenant care (Exodus 21:10-11). • By saying “I took,” he accepts responsibility to act. In Israelite culture, a husband or master had the duty to seek justice for wrongs done to his household (Genesis 34:25-31). • His words remind the hearers that God holds heads of households accountable for protecting the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 22:13-19; Ephesians 5:25-28).
cut her into pieces• The act is shocking, but it is reported without sensationalism. Scripture records events accurately, even when they are horrific (Judges 19:29). • This gruesome action served as a visual indictment—much like Saul later cutting oxen into pieces to summon Israel to battle (1 Samuel 11:7). • The Levite does not diminish the atrocity committed against his concubine; instead, he makes the crime unmistakably visible, forcing the nation to face its sin (Isaiah 58:1; Ezekiel 16:2).
and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance• Twelve portions went to the twelve tribes, uniting the whole nation in responsibility (Judges 20:1). • The phrase “land of Israel’s inheritance” recalls God’s covenant gift (Joshua 14:9). Sin was defiling that sacred inheritance (Leviticus 18:24-28). • Sending the pieces created an urgent call for communal justice, demonstrating that private sin has public consequences (Deuteronomy 13:12-15; 1 Corinthians 5:6).
because they had committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel• “Lewd and disgraceful” (Hebrew idiom) is used for sexual violence or covenant violation (Genesis 34:7; 2 Samuel 13:12). • The Levite anchors his actions in moral clarity: the men of Gibeah perpetrated wickedness “in Israel,” within God’s covenant people, making it all the more heinous (Deuteronomy 17:12). • His statement demands national accountability, echoing the command to “purge the evil from among you” (Deuteronomy 22:22-24).
summaryJudges 20:6 records the Levite’s shocking but deliberate response to an unspeakable crime. By taking his concubine, dismembering her, and sending the pieces to the tribes, he forces Israel to confront the gravity of covenant-breaking violence within its borders. The grisly act was never commended as righteous, yet it successfully rallied the nation to seek justice, underlining timeless truths: God’s people must protect the vulnerable, expose evil, and guard the holiness of the inheritance entrusted to them.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then I tookוָֽאֹחֵ֤ז (wā·’ō·ḥêz)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possessionmy concubine,בְּפִֽילַגְשִׁי֙ (bə·p̄î·laḡ·šî)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6370: A concubine, a paramourcut her into pieces,וָֽאֲנַתְּחֶ֔הָ (wā·’ă·nat·tə·ḥe·hā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5408: To cut up, cut in pieces, divide by jointsand sent herוָֽאֲשַׁלְּחֶ֔הָ (wā·’ă·šal·lə·ḥe·hā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, outthroughoutבְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, everythe landשְׂדֵ֖ה (śə·ḏêh)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7704: Field, landof Israel'sיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his descinheritance,נַחֲלַ֣ת (na·ḥă·laṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portionbecauseכִּ֥י (kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunctionthey had committedעָשׂ֛וּ (‘ā·śū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, makea lewdזִמָּ֥ה (zim·māh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2154: A plan, device, wickednessand disgraceful actוּנְבָלָ֖ה (ū·nə·ḇā·lāh)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5039: Foolishness, wickedness, a crime, punishmentin Israel.בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc
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OT History: Judges 20:6 I took my concubine and cut her (Jd Judg. Jdg) |
