(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?
(Now the people of Benjamin heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah.) Then the Israelites said, 'Tell us, how did this terrible thing happen?'
The Israelites gathered to hear the facts about a horrible crime that had been committed, while the tribe of Benjamin learned about this meeting.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of the Judges, when Israel had no central king and tribes often acted independently, a horrific crime occurred in the territory of Benjamin: a Levite's concubine was raped and murdered in the city of Gibeah. The other tribes of Israel gathered at Mizpeh to address this outrage and seek justice, and when the Benjaminites heard of the assembly, the Israelites demanded an explanation for the wickedness. This event reflects the chaos of that era, where moral failures could escalate into tribal conflicts.
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