Judges 20 32

Judges 20:32 kjv

And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.

Judges 20:32 nkjv

And the children of Benjamin said, "They are defeated before us, as at first." But the children of Israel said, "Let us flee and draw them away from the city to the highways."

Judges 20:32 niv

While the Benjamites were saying, "We are defeating them as before," the Israelites were saying, "Let's retreat and draw them away from the city to the roads."

Judges 20:32 esv

And the people of Benjamin said, "They are routed before us, as at the first." But the people of Israel said, "Let us flee and draw them away from the city to the highways."

Judges 20:32 nlt

Then the warriors of Benjamin shouted, "We're defeating them as we did before!" But the Israelites had planned in advance to run away so that the men of Benjamin would chase them along the roads and be drawn away from the town.

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 32 Meaning

Judges 20:32 portrays a pivotal moment in the battle between the Israelites and the Benjaminites. It reveals the arrogant presumption of Benjamin, who believed their past victories over Israel would simply repeat, misinterpreting Israel's tactical withdrawal. Concurrently, it shows the children of Israel rising with renewed resolve and precise military strategy, specifically setting an ambush, which marked the turning point toward their eventual victory.

Judges 20 32 Context

Judges chapter 20 describes a brutal civil war within Israel, ignited by the egregious wickedness in Gibeah, a Benjamite city (Judges 19). The other eleven tribes unite to seek justice, but despite their righteous cause and inquiring of God, they suffer two crushing defeats at the hands of the Benjaminites (Judges 20:20-25). After these devastating losses, the Israelites returned to Bethel, weeping bitterly, fasting, offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, and finally seeking the Lord's counsel again, persevering in their quest for divine direction (Judges 20:26-28). It is after this deep spiritual renewal and sustained supplication that the third day's battle commences. Verse 32, therefore, falls at the critical turning point: the Benjaminites, having secured two victories, are filled with overconfidence, misinterpreting the initial maneuvers of the Israelites. Unbeknownst to Benjamin, Israel is executing a divinely-sanctioned ambush strategy (Judges 20:29-36), using a feigned retreat to lure their enemies into a deadly trap. The term "Aimez" (Maareh in Hebrew) in this context is significant, revealing the strategic cunning involved in this decisive battle.

Judges 20 32 Word analysis

• And the children of Benjamin said: This reveals Benjamin's internal perception and a state of mind characterized by overconfidence. "Said" here implies an internal boast or an excited proclamation among themselves.
• They are smitten down (נִגָּפִים, niggāfîm) before us: The Hebrew term niggāfîm means "to be struck down, to be defeated." Benjamin assumes that Israel is genuinely fleeing and suffering another defeat. This demonstrates a failure to accurately assess the enemy's movements, blinded by past success.
• as at the first (כְּבָרִאשֹׁנָה, kəvārī'shōnāh): This phrase explicitly links their current presumption to their two previous victories. It highlights Benjamin's hubris and their belief in a pattern of continued, easy success. This over-reliance on past performance prevents them from recognizing Israel's new strategy.
• But: This conjunction introduces a sharp contrast, signaling a significant shift in the narrative and in the military dynamic. It heralds a reversal of fortunes.
• the children of Israel: Refers to the other tribes, acting collectively and now with divine strategy.
• rose up again (וַיָּקֻמוּ, vayyāqumu): The verb qum means "to rise, to stand up." It suggests renewed strength, vigor, and determination after their prior defeats. It's not a mere physical action but signifies a strategic and spiritual revival, enabled by their previous repentance and seeking of God.
• and set their battle array (וַיַּעַרְכוּ מִלְחָמָה, vayyaʿarkhū milchāmāh): This indicates disciplined and organized military action. It describes them strategically preparing for a new type of engagement, moving from a straightforward clash to a planned maneuver.
• in Aimez (בְּמַאֲרֵה, bəMa’ăreh): This location name is highly significant. Ma’ăreh literally means "from the ambush" or "place of the ambush/lying in wait." It is not merely a geographic location but is descriptive of Israel's chosen tactic. The name itself reflects the cunning nature of their military engagement. It immediately clues the reader into Israel’s deceptive strategy.

• "And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first.": This entire clause perfectly encapsulates the arrogance and strategic blindness of Benjamin. Their immediate conclusion, based on past easy victories, leads them to underestimate Israel's divinely-guided tactical shift, setting them up for their ultimate downfall. This also highlights a biblical principle: presuming on past successes or even God's prior mercies without discerning present circumstances can lead to devastating error.
• "But the children of Israel rose up again, and set their battle array in Aimez.": This second part showcases Israel's transformed approach. "Rose up again" emphasizes their perseverance after humility and repentance. Their "battle array" is now not merely an ordered line but one set within the context of an ambush strategy (Aimez), demonstrating their obedience to God's instructions for a different kind of warfare, contrasting Benjamin's predictable approach.

Judges 20 32 Bonus section

• The literal meaning of "Aimez" (Maareh, מַאֲרֶה) underscores the active deception employed by the Israelites. This was not a general engagement but a specifically orchestrated trap. The naming of the location explicitly reflects the strategy itself, emphasizing the detailed nature of Israel's divinely-enabled military plan.
• The progression of the narrative through Judges 20 reveals the principle that God often permits setbacks or defeats, even for those pursuing His righteous cause, to foster deep humility, sincere repentance, and absolute dependence upon Him before granting decisive victory. The turning point was not merely a tactical shift, but a spiritual one, marked by Israel's weeping, fasting, and sacrificing before the Lord (Judges 20:26-28).

Judges 20 32 Commentary

Judges 20:32 serves as the dramatic fulcrum of the third day's battle between Israel and Benjamin. It starkly contrasts Benjamin's unyielding pride with Israel's divinely inspired strategic ingenuity, which arose only after deep national repentance and perseverance in seeking the Lord. Benjamin's exultant cry, "They are smitten down before us, as at the first," betrays a profound misreading of the situation. Their confidence, rooted in two earlier undeserved victories (granted by God for Israel's humbling), had blossomed into a fatal hubris, preventing them from seeing that Israel's initial retreat was a feigned movement, a lure. The subsequent phrase, "But the children of Israel rose up again, and set their battle array in Aimez," signals a complete turnaround. "Aimez" (Maareh), meaning "the place of ambush," isn't just a location but a key indicator of Israel's divinely guided plan. This moment signifies the shift from relying solely on numbers or direct confrontation to a strategy born of humility, patience, and direct consultation with God. It illustrates that victory in God's battles is often not through overwhelming force, but through discerning His timing and strategy, even if it appears counter-intuitive, and acting in disciplined obedience.