Judges 20:27 (KJV)

What does Judges 20:27 mean?

Judges 20:27 describes how the Israelites asked the LORD for guidance, mentioning that the ark of the covenant of God was present with them at that time. This verse highlights that the people were seeking direction from God during a critical moment, and the presence of the ark signified God's nearness and authority.

The setting is during a crisis in Israel, as the tribes are gathered to decide what to do about the conflict with the tribe of Benjamin. The verse notes that the Israelites were actively seeking God's will, not acting on their own. The mention of the ark of the covenant shows that this was a formal, sacred inquiry, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and their dependence on God's guidance.

The Hebrew behind Judges 20:27

• "enquired" (שָׁאַל, sha'al): This word means to ask, request, or seek. In this context, it shows that the Israelites were not just making a casual request but were earnestly seeking God's direction.
• "ark" (אָרוֹן, aron): Refers to the sacred chest that represented God's presence among the people. Its mention here underlines that the Israelites were approaching God in the recognized, proper way.
• "covenant" (בְּרִית, berit): This word means an agreement or promise. The ark being called "the ark of the covenant" reminds the reader that Israel's relationship with God was based on a binding promise, and their appeal for guidance was rooted in that relationship.

Why Judges 20:27 matters

• This verse clarifies that the Israelites were not acting independently but were intentionally seeking God's will in a time of national crisis.
• The mention of the ark of the covenant signals that the events were taking place in a period when Israel still had central religious symbols and practices, grounding the story in its historical and spiritual context.
• By highlighting the Israelites' inquiry and the presence of the ark, the verse connects the reader to the seriousness and gravity of the decisions being made in the following verses.