Judges 20 34

Judges 20:34 kjv

And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.

Judges 20:34 nkjv

And ten thousand select men from all Israel came against Gibeah, and the battle was fierce. But the Benjamites did not know that disaster was upon them.

Judges 20:34 niv

Then ten thousand of Israel's able young men made a frontal attack on Gibeah. The fighting was so heavy that the Benjamites did not realize how near disaster was.

Judges 20:34 esv

And there came against Gibeah 10,000 chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was hard, but the Benjaminites did not know that disaster was close upon them.

Judges 20:34 nlt

There were 10,000 elite Israelite troops who advanced against Gibeah. The fighting was so heavy that Benjamin didn't realize the impending disaster.

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 34 Meaning

Judges 20:34 describes a pivotal moment in the battle between the Israelite tribes and Benjamin. After two days of surprising defeats for Israel, this verse pertains to their third, successful engagement. It recounts that ten thousand elite Israelite warriors moved against Gibeah, and the ensuing fight was severe. Crucially, the verse reveals the Benjamites' fatal unawareness that a prepared "evil"—the strategically placed ambush designed by the larger Israelite force—was imminently about to trap and devastate them, ensuring their eventual defeat.

Judges 20 34 Context

Judges 20 is set within a harrowing narrative (chapters 19-21) that chronicles Israel's spiraling moral and spiritual decline during the period of the Judges. The events are triggered by the atrocious sin committed by men of Gibeah against a Levite's concubine, resulting in her death. This ignites the wrath of the other eleven tribes, who gather to exact justice upon Gibeah and the tribe of Benjamin for sheltering the wicked.

The entire chapter 20 details the three days of battle. Despite overwhelming numbers and a righteous cause, the combined Israelite army suffers two catastrophic defeats on the first two days, losing tens of thousands of men to the much smaller Benjamite force. These defeats are attributed to God’s allowing the Israelites to be humbled, to show them their reliance on Him, and perhaps to expose the underlying spiritual sickness of the whole nation. After much weeping and renewed inquiry of the Lord, Israel receives assurance of victory on the third day. Judges 20:34 specifically describes the beginning of this decisive third-day strategy, which incorporated an ambush similar to what had been used by Benjamin (and earlier by Israel against Ai in Josh 8). The verse highlights the moment the ambushers had positioned themselves, unseen by the confident Benjamites, setting the stage for their swift and decisive downfall. This civil war ultimately serves as a stark depiction of the profound moral decay in Israel when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 17:6, 21:25), necessitating a severe purging by God.

Judges 20 34 Word analysis

• And there came against Gibeah: The strategic objective of the combined Israelite forces. Gibeah (גִּבְעָה, gib‘āh), meaning "hill," was a city in Benjamin, infamous for its wickedness (Hos 9:9, 10:9) which provoked this civil war. This phrase denotes the direct assault on the city.
• ten thousand chosen men: (עֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים אִישׁ מִבְחָר, ‘ǎśereth ’ălāphîm ’îš mibḥar) The term mibḥar (מבחר) signifies "picked, choicest, elite." This contingent of ten thousand represented the most skilled and battle-hardened warriors selected for a specific, crucial mission—to execute the hidden ambush and seal the Benjamites' defeat. This highlights the disciplined and formidable nature of this force.
• out of all Israel: This emphasizes the unified effort of the tribes, indicating that despite their initial setbacks, the nation (minus Benjamin) was committed to this righteous retribution.
• and the battle was sore: (וְהַמִּלְחָמָה כְּבֵדָה, wəhammilḥāmāh kəvēḏāh) The Hebrew word kəvēḏāh (כְּבֵדָה) means "heavy," "severe," or "grievous." This describes the intensity and difficulty of the ongoing engagement, even as Israel implemented their strategy. It conveys that the fight was not easily won despite the eventual outcome, requiring perseverance and strategic acumen.
• but they knew not: This phrase signals dramatic irony and the element of surprise. "They" refers to the Benjamites, who, having successfully driven back Israel on the previous two days, were overconfident and completely unaware of the precise nature of the Israelite strategy for this third encounter.
• that evil was near them: (כִּי נָגְעָה עֲלֵיהֶם הָרָעָה, kî nāgə‘āh ‘ălêhem hārā‘āh) Hārā‘āh (הָרָעָה) means "the evil," "disaster," "calamity," or "misfortune." In this context, it refers directly to the strategic ambush (the calamity) that Israel had placed (as described in the preceding verses) to encircle and annihilate the Benjamites. It implies a doom that was not just approaching but was already "touching" (from the root nāga‘) or "at their very doorstep," hidden and poised to strike decisively. This signifies the sudden and unavoidable nature of their coming destruction.
• Word-Group Analysis:
  • "And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel": This passage establishes the strength and purpose of the main Israelite force now fully committing to the final push. The term "chosen men" signifies quality and intent, not merely quantity, contrasting with the sheer numbers of the earlier, failed attacks.
  • "and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them": This pivotal phrase highlights the decisive turn in the battle. The initial fierceness of the combat acts as a decoy. The Benjamites' ignorance of the strategically placed ambush—the "evil near them"—was their ultimate downfall. It underscores how what appears as ongoing combat masks the unseen, already activated judgment that is about to engulf them. This points to divine oversight in orchestrating events toward His judgment.

Judges 20 34 Bonus section

• The strategic ambush depicted here echoes God's sovereign hand in warfare, often utilizing unexpected turns or "unseen" elements to achieve His purposes, as seen in Joshua's campaigns.
• The phrase "evil was near them" can also subtly allude to the source of the calamity, implying that their own internal moral "evil" (the wickedness of Gibeah) was the root cause that led to this overwhelming "calamity" or "evil" of destruction at their very gates.
• The initial losses Israel faced (Jdg 20:21, 25) can be understood as God’s disciplinary measure, refining their reliance not on their might or numbers, but on His strategy and presence, even in a righteous cause. This verse shows the fruit of their renewed repentance and seeking God.

Judges 20 34 Commentary

Judges 20:34 encapsulates the moment of decisive shift in Israel's internal war against Benjamin, specifically at Gibeah. After two humbling defeats, Israel, under what can be inferred as divine direction after renewed supplication, adopted a strategic ambush tactic, similar to that used by Benjamin itself or Israel against Ai (Josh 8). The commitment of "ten thousand chosen men" signals the seriousness and calculated precision of this final assault. The phrase "the battle was sore" illustrates that victory, even when assured by God, often demands intense effort and takes its toll. However, the dramatic core of the verse lies in the Benjamites' utter ignorance: "but they knew not that evil was near them." This "evil" (the hidden ambush force and the fiery destruction of their city) was not just coming but had "drawn near" and was imminently about to trap them. This divine judgment for their deep moral depravity (as exemplified by the Gibeah incident) came suddenly and overwhelmingly upon those who, in their overconfidence from past victories, remained oblivious to the trap being sprung around them. It speaks to the inescapable nature of consequences when God's patience is exhausted, bringing a swift and overwhelming end to an unrepentant evil.