It seems clear that the Levite’s goal was to call all the Israelites together, hoping that they would take action. Many biblical scholars see a contrast here between the judges who saved Israel, and this individual whose actions played a crucial role in Israel’s destruction.

Behold …: Having explained his actions, the Levite now calls on the people to respond. The word Behold (hinneh in Hebrew) shows that the Levite is calling for action. We might say “Listen!” or use some concluding marker, such as “So now” (New Revised Standard Version) or “Now then” (New Living Translation). Once again there is strong irony here as the Levite, who has, in fact, acted in a cowardly manner, suddenly becomes very bold and calls for action.

You people of Israel, all of you renders an emphatic vocative expression in Hebrew, literally “all of you, sons [or, children] of Israel.” It may be translated “all you Israelites, every one of you.” This expression may be an affirmation, meaning “all of you [here] are Israelites.” This understanding also fits the context, so we might say “Now then, you are all Israelites, so….”

Give your advice and counsel here is literally “provide for yourselves a word and counsel here.” The Levite challenges the people to think about what they should do. The Hebrew word for advice (dabar) often refers to speech, but here it may refer to their decision or judgment about what happened, while the word for counsel (ʿetsah) might refer to their plan in response. Here renders a locative Hebrew adverb, which may apply to the situation, the time frame, or the present location. Translators should avoid a word-for-word rendering of this challenge, but rather look for an idiomatic expression that fits the context. New Jerusalem Bible provides a good model: “discuss the matter and give your decision here and now.” A more dynamic rendering might be “What do you think? Decide what we should do!”

A translation model for this verse is:

• Now then, all of you Israelites, every one of you, give some thought to this and decide what to do!”

Contemporary English Version also gives a good model:

• You are the people of Israel, and you must decide today what to do about the men of Gibeah.”

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 .