Judges 20 37

Judges 20:37 kjv

And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

Judges 20:37 nkjv

And the men in ambush quickly rushed upon Gibeah; the men in ambush spread out and struck the whole city with the edge of the sword.

Judges 20:37 niv

Those who had been in ambush made a sudden dash into Gibeah, spread out and put the whole city to the sword.

Judges 20:37 esv

Then the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush moved out and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.

Judges 20:37 nlt

Then those who were hiding rushed in from all sides and killed everyone in the town.

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 37 Meaning

Judges 20:37 describes the pivotal moment in the battle between Israel and Benjamin. After the Israelites feigned retreat, the men of Israel "turned back" (meaning they reversed their perceived flight to attack), while the men of Benjamin became utterly "terrified." Their fear arose from their sudden realization that the initial Israeli retreat was a deceptive tactic, and "disaster" or calamitous evil had now overtaken them, sealing their doom. This verse marks the turning point where Benjamin's initial success and overconfidence turned into absolute dismay and defeat.

Judges 20 37 Context

Judges chapter 20 recounts the full-scale civil war between the united tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. This conflict arose from the horrific crime in Gibeah (chapter 19), where Benjamite men brutally abused a Levite's concubine, leading to her death. Despite calls for justice and the extradition of the perpetrators, Benjamin refused, choosing instead to protect their wicked kin. This defiance led the other eleven tribes of Israel to gather and declare war, acting as instruments of God's judgment against the pervasive sin. After two devastating losses for Israel, in which thousands of their men were slain despite their righteous cause, God finally granted them victory. Judges 20:37 describes the decisive moment in the third day of battle. The Israelites executed a carefully planned ambush, feigning retreat to draw Benjamin away from the city. Benjamin, emboldened by their previous victories and seemingly deceived by the retreat, pursued vigorously, only to discover too late that they had fallen into a trap. This verse captures Benjamin's sudden recognition of their desperate situation as the ambush springs and calamity overtakes them.

Judges 20 37 Word analysis

• Then the men of Israel turned back,
  • turned back: Hebrew wayyasobu (וַיָּסֹ֙בּוּ֙), a form of sūv (שׁוּב), meaning to turn, return, or revolve. Here, it signifies not a retreat but a turning movement in attack, the reversal of their feigned flight to engage the pursuing Benjamites. This military maneuver (a strategic retreat followed by a turnaround and ambush) was a deliberate, God-given tactic after two previous defeats. It echoes similar strategies employed by Israel under Joshua at Ai (Jos 8).
  • men of Israel: Refers to the collective army of the ten united tribes, now executing God's strategic plan for victory.
• and the men of Benjamin were terrified,
  • men of Benjamin: The opposing tribe, once mighty and confident, now realizing their grave error. Their tribal pride and stubbornness in protecting sin had brought them to this brink.
  • were terrified: Hebrew wayyeḥeredū (וַיֶּחֶרְד֛וּ), a form of ḥārad (חָרַד), meaning to tremble, quake, be afraid, or dismayed. This indicates a sudden, profound, and physical response to a dreadful realization. Their earlier arrogance and self-assurance evaporated instantly, replaced by sheer panic and helplessness. This is the natural response of those who face overwhelming, inevitable doom.
• for they saw that disaster had come upon them.
  • they saw: Not merely physical sight but a sudden, stark realization and understanding of their true situation. It signifies clarity regarding the trap they had fallen into.
  • disaster: Hebrew hara‘ah (הָרָעָֽה), derived from ra‘ah (רָעָה), meaning evil, trouble, distress, calamity, or misfortune. This is more than just military defeat; it carries the weight of a divine judgment. It’s the ultimate consequence of their sin and defiance. The use of this term emphasizes the comprehensive ruin, the destruction of their forces and tribe that was now upon them as a just recompense.
  • had come upon them: Implies an inescapable and direct imposition, an event that directly affected and enveloped them, from which there was no escape. It signifies that the consequences of their actions were no longer theoretical but manifested reality. The "disaster" was not accidental but divinely permitted, or even initiated, to exact judgment.

Judges 20 37 Bonus section

The narrative technique employed in Judges 20, where Israel suffers two defeats despite being on the side of justice, then employs a strategic feint and ambush for a decisive victory, strongly parallels Joshua's conquest of Ai. This pattern suggests divine testing or refining of Israel's dependence on God, reminding them that victory is not purely by numerical strength or righteousness of cause, but by God's strategy and timing. Benjamin's initial success might have bred arrogance, while Israel's losses might have led them to greater dependence on YHWH's guidance. The use of fire and ambush in both Judges 20 and Joshua 8 highlights common military tactics of the period, elevated here by divine endorsement. Furthermore, the term "disaster" (ra'ah) connecting to God's hand in judgment, not just human failure, is a profound theological point, aligning with the prophetic understanding that calamities can be instruments of divine justice (e.g., Amos 3:6).

Judges 20 37 Commentary

Judges 20:37 is the critical turning point in the devastating civil war against Benjamin. It signifies the shift from Benjamin's temporary advantage, fueled by hubris, to their complete disarray. The Israelite tactical reversal, a well-executed military ruse, transformed their feigned flight into a crushing counterattack. Benjamin's sudden terror reveals their realization of being completely outmaneuvered, seeing not just a battle loss but an overwhelming, divinely appointed "disaster." This moment underscores that defying justice and divine will ultimately brings an unavoidable, terrible reckoning. Their prior victories had made them complacent, blinding them to the spiritual reality that they were fighting against God's appointed judgment on their sin, not merely against other tribes. This verse visually portrays the horrifying moment of recognition and the resultant panic that precedes their nearly total annihilation, emphasizing the inescapable nature of judgment for unrepented sin and rebellion.