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.

JUDGES 20:18KJV
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Judges 20:18 (KJV)

What does Judges 20:18 mean?

Judges 20:18 describes how the Israelites went to the house of God to ask for guidance before going into battle against the tribe of Benjamin, and God answered that the tribe of Judah should lead the attack. This verse shows the Israelites seeking direction from God at a critical moment of conflict within their own nation.

The setting is a civil war in Israel, where the other tribes are preparing to fight Benjamin after a terrible crime in Gibeah. The people go to the "house of God" (likely at Bethel or Shiloh at this time) and ask God who should go first into battle. God responds clearly, naming Judah as the leading tribe, which reflects both order and God's involvement in their decisions.

The Hebrew behind Judges 20:18

  • "house of God" (בֵּית אֵל, beit El): The phrase here uses the word for "house" (בֵּית, beit) and "God" (אֵל, El), which can refer to a specific place of worship, showing the Israelites are seeking God's will at a recognized sacred site.
  • "asked" (שָׁאַל, sha'al): This word means to inquire or seek counsel, emphasizing that the Israelites are not acting on their own but are intentionally seeking divine direction.
  • "Judah" (יְהוּדָה, Yehudah): God specifically names the tribe of Judah to go first, which is significant because Judah often takes a leading role in Israel's history.

Why Judges 20:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Israelites did not rush into battle blindly; they paused to seek God's guidance, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and their dependence on divine direction.
  • The choice of Judah to go first connects to earlier biblical themes where Judah is given prominence among the tribes, reinforcing Judah's leadership role.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the structure and order of the coming battle, as well as the spiritual mindset of the Israelites during this difficult period.

Where else these words appear

“Which” Hebrew H4310 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
  • Genesis 24:65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
  • Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

“first” Hebrew H8462 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
  • 2 Samuel 17:9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
  • Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

“God” Hebrew H1008 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 1:22 And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.
  • 2 Kings 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.