Judges 20 33

Judges 20:33 kjv

And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.

Judges 20:33 nkjv

So all the men of Israel rose from their place and put themselves in battle array at Baal Tamar. Then Israel's men in ambush burst forth from their position in the plain of Geba.

Judges 20:33 niv

All the men of Israel moved from their places and took up positions at Baal Tamar, and the Israelite ambush charged out of its place on the west of Gibeah.

Judges 20:33 esv

And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place and set themselves in array at Baal-tamar, and the men of Israel who were in ambush rushed out of their place from Maareh-geba.

Judges 20:33 nlt

When the main group of Israelite warriors reached Baal-tamar, they turned and took up their positions. Meanwhile, the Israelites hiding in ambush to the west of Gibeah jumped up to fight.

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 33 Meaning

Judges 20:33 describes a pivotal moment in the third and decisive battle between the united tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. After two previous defeats, Israel had humbled themselves and sought God's will. This verse details the immediate execution of a divine strategy involving a feigned retreat to lure the Benjamites, while a prepared ambush force, the "liers in wait," launched their attack from a hidden position near Gibeah, marking the turning point towards Israel's victory. It signifies a divinely guided tactical maneuver leading to the eventual judgment upon Benjamin.

Judges 20 33 Context

The verse stands as the turning point in the devastating civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the rest of Israel, sparked by the horrific atrocity committed by men of Gibeah against a Levite's concubine (Judges 19). Having appealed to Benjamin for justice and been met with defiance, Israel twice suffered heavy defeats despite inquiring of God and fasting. After their third inquiry, deep repentance, and renewed fasting and sacrifices, God finally promised them victory (Judges 20:27-28). Judges 20:33 marks the precise moment of tactical execution based on this divine guidance. Israel feigned a third retreat, drawing the confident Benjamites out, while their "liers in wait" executed a critical ambush, designed to destroy the city of Gibeah and encircle the Benjamite forces. The entire conflict is set against a backdrop of lawlessness in Israel, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25), yet even in their fallen state, they recognized the need to seek the Lord's intervention for national justice.

Word Analysis

• And all the men of Israel: Emphasizes the full commitment and unified action of the Israelite tribes after their humbling defeats and seeking God's face. This was not a partial effort.
• rose up out of their place: Signifies a deliberate, synchronized movement. It points to a planned tactical shift rather than a disorganized retreat.
• and put themselves in array: The Hebrew verb וַיַּעַרְכוּ (vayya’arkhu) implies to arrange, set in order, or deploy in battle formation. It describes a disciplined military positioning for engagement, despite the apparent retreat.
• at Baal-tamar: Hebrew: בְּבַעַל תָּמָר (b'va'al Tamar), meaning "Lord of the Palm." This was a known geographical landmark or possibly a shrine/worship site (though likely local or Canaanite given the name) that served as the primary battle line for the Israelites. Its selection was strategic, providing a key point of engagement.
• and the liers in wait of Israel: Hebrew: וְהָאֹרֵב לְיִשְׂרָאֵל (v'ha’orev l'Yisra'el). This refers to the ambush party, a contingent of Israelite soldiers strategically hidden and positioned to attack by surprise. This was a critical element of the divinely revealed strategy, leveraging cunning and deception.
• came forth out of their places: Denotes the activation of the hidden forces, emerging from their concealment at the precise moment to complete the pincer movement.
• even out of the meadows of Gibeah: Hebrew: מִמְּגָרַשׁ גֶּבַע (mimm'garash Geva'). "Meadows" (migrash) here could refer to open pasturage or land outside a city, perhaps cultivated fields. It indicates a hidden approach path or staging area near the target city, ideal for a concealed military force. It suggests an understanding of the local terrain used to tactical advantage.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baal-tamar": This phrase describes the main Israelite army taking their position for the feigned retreat and the subsequent decisive battle. It underscores the discipline and tactical coordination now present, contrasting with their earlier defeats. They are preparing a deliberate ruse.
• "and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah": This part reveals the secret weapon and core of God's strategy: the ambush force. Their emergence from concealed locations like the "meadows of Gibeah" signifies the beginning of the trap's execution. It highlights the strategic timing and concealed positioning that would ensure the Benjamites' downfall.

Judges 20 33 Bonus section

The detailed military strategy outlined in Judges 20, including the ambush and the feigned retreat, bears a striking resemblance to the strategy God provided to Joshua against Ai (Josh 8). This parallelism suggests a pattern of divine guidance in warfare in the Old Testament, where God uses both direct supernatural intervention and astute tactical instructions to achieve His purposes. The use of an ambush was not considered dishonorable in ancient warfare; rather, it was a legitimate and often decisive tactic demonstrating military acumen. The placement of "Baal-tamar" and the "meadows of Gibeah" emphasizes the importance of understanding terrain and geography in biblical battles. This battle, initiated out of collective justice, paradoxically leads to near annihilation of a tribe, illustrating the devastating consequences of national sin, even when justice is sought through legitimate, yet violent, means. It is a harsh lesson in the consequences of unrighteousness within God's covenant people.

Judges 20 33 Commentary

Judges 20:33 captures the culmination of Israel's spiritual journey in this chapter—from arrogant confidence to humbling defeat, sincere repentance, and ultimately, divine wisdom. Having sought the Lord for the third time and truly humbled themselves (evidenced by fasting and sacrifice), God now reveals a detailed battle plan. The Benjamites, emboldened by their previous victories and confident in their numerical inferiority but superior fighting skills, pursued Israel into the decoy retreat. This verse specifically highlights the moment the ambush force, meticulously hidden, sprung their surprise attack. This act was crucial: it signaled the turn of the tide, trapping the Benjamite forces between the main Israelite army (which would turn around from their feigned retreat) and the destructive ambush. It demonstrates God’s ability to use military tactics and human agency in delivering judgment, especially when His people seek His guidance and align with His will, even in such a grim civil conflict. It shows that victory belongs to the Lord, even when seemingly relying on strategic deception.