The Church Fathers on this verse

Judges 20:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And they arose and came to the house of God, that is, to Silo: and they consulted God, and said: Who shall be in our army the first to go to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the Lord answered them: Let Juda be your leader.

Douay-Rheims

וַיָּקֻ֜מוּ וַיַּעֲל֣וּ בֵֽית־אֵל֮ וַיִּשְׁאֲל֣וּ בֵאלֹהִים֒ וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִ֚י יַעֲלֶה־לָּ֣נוּ בַתְּחִלָּ֔ה לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה עִם־בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה יְהוּדָ֥ה בַתְּחִלָּֽה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

John of Tobolsk

17th centuryChurch Father

The Israelites, motivated by a desire to hold their fellow tribesmen from Benjamin accountable for their failure to bring the rapists of the Levite's concubine to justice, resolved to wage war against the residents of Gibeah (Judg. 20). Seeking assurance in the righteousness of their cause, they inquired of the true God at the tabernacle, asking, “Who shall lead us into battle?” The Lord responded, “Judah shall be your commander.” This answer delighted the people, leading to the swift gathering of a large number of warriors.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.