The Benjaminites not only rejected the request of the other Israelites, but they actually prepared to attack Israel. There was solidarity among all the Benjaminites as they came from throughout their tribal territory to Gibeah in support of the people of that town.

And the Benjaminites came together out of the cities to Gibe-ah: All the Benjaminites rallied to defend the inhabitants of Gibeah. And renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, but it is clear that the Benjaminites were defiant, so this conjunction is better rendered “On the contrary,” “Not only that,” or simply “But.” New Living Translation uses “Instead.” Once again the Benjaminites is literally “the sons [or, children] of Benjamin.” There is more irony as the Hebrew verb for came together is the same one used to describe the Israelites coming together in response to the Levite’s call (see verse 20.11). Out of the cities is literally “from the cities,” referring to the other towns in the Benjaminite territory.

To go out to battle against the people of Israel: The irony continues as the verb go out renders the same Hebrew verb (yatsaʾ) used by the men of Gibeah when they demanded that the old Ephraimite “Bring out” the Levite, so they could have sex with him (verse 19.22). To battle against the people of Israel is literally “for the battle with the sons [or, children] of Israel.” Since the Benjaminites were Israelites, the Hebrew preposition for “with” could at first be understood to mean that the Benjaminites and the other tribes would be fighting together against a common enemy, but it is clear from the context that the Benjaminites would be fighting against the rest of the tribes.

Translation models for this verse are:

• On the contrary, the Benjaminites from the other towns rallied to Gibeah to go to battle against the Israelites.

• Not only that, the sons of Benjamin from the other towns came together at Gibeah to fight against the sons of Israel.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .