Judges 20 30

Judges 20:30 kjv

And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.

Judges 20:30 nkjv

And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in battle array against Gibeah as at the other times.

Judges 20:30 niv

They went up against the Benjamites on the third day and took up positions against Gibeah as they had done before.

Judges 20:30 esv

And the people of Israel went up against the people of Benjamin on the third day and set themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.

Judges 20:30 nlt

They went out on the third day and took their positions at the same place as before.

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 30 Meaning

Judges 20:30 describes the Israelite tribes, after two consecutive defeats, embarking on their third and ultimately successful attempt to wage war against the Benjamites at Gibeah. It emphasizes their renewed engagement by forming battle lines, appearing to prepare for another frontal assault, yet this appearance was part of a divinely instructed strategic maneuver to draw the Benjamites out and into an ambush, which is elaborated upon in subsequent verses. This "third day" battle marked the turning point, leading to Israel's victory.

Judges 20 30 Context

Judges 20:30 is embedded within one of the darkest narratives of the book of Judges (chapters 19-21), depicting a devastating civil war among the tribes of Israel. The preceding chapters recount a heinous atrocity committed by wicked men from Gibeah, a city in Benjamin's territory. When Benjamin refused to hand over the perpetrators, the other tribes of Israel assembled, uniting in their outrage. However, their initial two attempts to attack Gibeah resulted in calamitous defeats, costing Israel forty thousand lives despite their sincere inquiries of the Lord. These losses likely served as a divine discipline for the nation's own spiritual lukewarmness and internal failings, even as they sought justice. Verse 30 specifically describes the third, and final, day of direct engagement. This particular encounter was different: it incorporated a meticulously planned ambush, a strategy derived from their renewed consultation with the Lord (Jdg 20:28) and His promise of victory. The phrase "as at other times" therefore refers to the outward appearance of their battle formation, designed to deceive the Benjamites, who had previously defeated Israel when they advanced in the same manner. This historical setting showcases a nation without central leadership ("no king in Israel, everyone did what was right in his own eyes" - Jdg 21:25), yet still bound by a sense of corporate accountability and appealing to God through the Tabernacle priests.

Judges 20 30 Word analysis

• The men of Israel went up (וַיַּעֲלוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - vayyaalu v'nei Yisra'el`):
  • vayyaalu(went up): Fromalah`, meaning to ascend, go up. This often implies movement towards a higher place, as Gibeah was likely situated on an elevated position. In military context, it signifies advancing for battle. This reflects a determined, purposeful action despite previous setbacks. It also literally describes their physical movement towards the stronghold.
  • b'nei Yisra'el (sons of Israel / men of Israel): Denotes the unified tribal forces, representing the larger confederation of the twelve tribes, emphasizing the corporate identity of those undertaking the action.
• against the children of Benjamin (אֶל בְּנֵי בִנְיָמִן - el b'nei Binyamin):
  • el b'nei Binyamin (to/against the sons of Benjamin): Specifies the target of the assault. The "children of Benjamin" refers to the entire tribe, highlighting the tribal solidarity in defending the perpetrators from Gibeah, making the entire tribe culpable for the sin of some of its members.
• on the third day (בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי - bay-yom hash-shlishi):
  • bay-yom (on the day): Standard Hebrew construction for "on the day."
  • hash-shlishi (the third): A numerically significant term in the Bible, often marking a decisive point, a turning point, or a new beginning after a period of waiting or difficulty (e.g., God's appearance on Sinai, resurrection of Christ, Jonah's deliverance). Here, it signifies a pivot from defeat to victory, from testing to fulfillment of divine promise (Jdg 20:28).
• and set themselves in array (וַיַּעַרְכוּ - vayyaarkhu`):
  • vayyaarkhu(and they arrayed themselves): Fromarakh`, meaning to arrange, set in order, draw up in battle formation. This denotes a deliberate and organized preparation for conflict. It implies a strategic disposition of troops.
• against Gibeah (אֶל הַגִּבְעָה - el hag-Gib'ah):
  • el hag-Gib'ah (to/against the Gibeah): The definite article "the" indicates this specific city, "Gibeah of Benjamin," which was the focal point of the conflict due to the atrocity committed there. Its location was strategically important as the heart of Benjamin's defense.
• as at other times (כְּפַעַם בְּפַעַם - kefaam befaam):
  • kefaam befaam (as time by time / as at other times): This crucial phrase literally means "as before," "as in previous instances," or "as time after time." In the context of the battle, this likely implies that Israel's initial formation was deliberately identical to their previous (unsuccessful) assaults. This created a deceptive facade for the Benjamites, making them expect the same kind of straightforward attack, allowing the pre-positioned ambush (Jdg 20:29) to be effective. It highlights the strategic deception employed, contrasting outward appearance with true intent.

Judges 20 30 Bonus section

The phrase "as at other times" is critical for understanding the strategic brilliance and divine intervention in this third battle. The first two days saw Israel attempting a direct, frontal assault against the well-entrenched Benjamites. Their consistent formation "as at other times" likely refers to this outward appearance, deceiving Benjamin into believing the fight would be similar to the previous, successful skirmishes they had for Benjamin. This plays directly into the detailed ambush plan outlined in Jdg 20:29 and elaborated in the subsequent verses (Jdg 20:31-36). The men of Israel who were visible were effectively bait, drawing Benjamin out while the main attack came from a hidden ambush behind the city. This illustrates that perseverance, combined with prayer and a divinely guided, even cunning, strategy, can achieve victory where initial human strength failed. The losses on the first two days purified Israel's motives and prepared them to seek and receive specific tactical instruction from God, moving from raw force to intelligent warfare.

Judges 20 30 Commentary

Judges 20:30 marks a critical turning point in the civil war against Benjamin. After two devastating losses that highlighted Israel's moral shortcomings despite their righteous cause, this verse initiates the battle on the "third day." This "third day" carries significant biblical weight, often denoting resurrection, deliverance, or a divinely appointed moment of culmination. Here, it signifies the moment God's earlier promise (v.28) of giving Benjamin into their hands begins to be fulfilled. The Israelites "set themselves in array" not in a renewed, hopeless charge, but with a cunning, God-ordained ambush strategy. The phrase "as at other times" is key: it signifies a deceptive maneuver where the main Israelite force appeared to engage the Benjamites frontally, mimicking previous attempts. This feint successfully drew the Benjamites away from their fortified city, leading them into the meticulously laid trap. Thus, this verse subtly underscores divine sovereignty working through human strategy and perseverance, turning defeat into ultimate victory, and finally bringing judgment upon the defiant tribe of Benjamin.