Judges 20 41

Judges 20:41 kjv

And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.

Judges 20:41 nkjv

And when the men of Israel turned back, the men of Benjamin panicked, for they saw that disaster had come upon them.

Judges 20:41 niv

Then the Israelites counterattacked, and the Benjamites were terrified, because they realized that disaster had come on them.

Judges 20:41 esv

Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed, for they saw that disaster was close upon them.

Judges 20:41 nlt

the men of Israel turned and attacked. At this point the men of Benjamin became terrified, because they realized disaster was close at hand.

Judges 20 verses

Judges 20 41 Meaning

Judges 20:41 describes the sudden and terrifying realization of the Benjaminite warriors. As the Israelite forces, who had appeared to be in full retreat, dramatically turned back, the Benjaminites, caught off guard by the pre-planned ambush, were overwhelmed with panic. They understood in that moment that disaster, specifically God's judgment and total defeat, was now upon them, a reversal of their earlier perceived victories.

Judges 20 41 Context

Judges chapter 20 is part of a dark and violent narrative (Judges 19-21) describing a devastating civil war within Israel. This conflict began after the heinous crime perpetrated in Gibeah of Benjamin, where a Levite's concubine was horribly abused, leading to her death. The other tribes of Israel, horrified by this evil, called for justice. When the tribe of Benjamin refused to surrender the culprits, even defending them, the united tribes of Israel marched against Benjamin. This war showcased the spiritual and moral decline of Israel during the period where "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 21:25).

Initially, the larger Israelite army suffered two humiliating defeats against Benjamin, despite having inquired of God. On the third day, after humbling themselves, weeping before the Lord, and offering sacrifices, God assured them of victory. Following this divine assurance, Israel executed a meticulously planned ambush. This verse, Judges 20:41, marks the critical moment on this third day when the Benjaminites, previously emboldened by their victories and perhaps overconfident, realize their trap as the Israelite "retreat" turns into a devastating counter-attack, signifying the turn of the tide from their initial success to catastrophic defeat and God's impending judgment on them.

Judges 20 41 Word analysis

• And when: Marks the timing of a pivotal action and revelation.
• the men of Israel (ʾîš yiśrāʾēl): Refers to the collective army of the unified tribes, representing God's instruments of justice. Their "turning" is a deliberate tactical maneuver, not a panicked flight.
• turned again (vayyahap̄əḵū): From the Hebrew verb הָפַךְ (hap̄aḵ), meaning "to turn, to overthrow, to change course." Here, it signifies a decisive strategic pivot in battle, revealing the trap set for Benjamin. It denotes a deliberate and powerful counter-movement that was part of Israel's overall plan after seeking divine direction.
• the men of Benjamin (ʾîš Binʾyāmîn): The Benjaminites, previously confident and successful, now face their nemesis.
• were amazed (niḇhalū): From the Hebrew verb בָּהַל (bāhal), "to be disturbed, dismayed, agitated, terrified, thrown into confusion." This is a strong word denoting profound psychological shock, fear, and disorganization, not mere surprise. Their previous arrogance dissolves into sudden terror. This marks the complete collapse of their morale and fighting spirit.
• for they saw that: Highlights the direct, visual, and immediate understanding that struck the Benjaminites. It wasn't hearsay; it was a clear perception of their doom.
• evil was come upon them (bāʾāh ʿălêhem hārāʿāh): Literally "the evil came upon them." The Hebrew רָעָה (ra'ah) means "calamity, disaster, misfortune, trouble, wickedness." Here, it encapsulates the full force of the impending catastrophe, the crushing defeat, and the divine judgment that they had brought upon themselves by defending wickedness and resisting the justice sought by God's people. It refers to the tangible, destructive consequences of their sin, rather than merely moral badness.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And when the men of Israel turned again": This phrase signals the execution of a pre-planned strategy. After two days of defeat, Israel, guided by God's promise, reversed their course from apparent flight, springing a trap on their unsuspecting foes. It highlights the divine turnaround and the efficacy of Israel's renewed military efforts.
• "the men of Benjamin were amazed": This short, impactful statement captures the instantaneous shift from confidence to panic among the Benjaminites. Their earlier battlefield dominance dissolved in a moment of acute shock and terror as the ambush unfolded. It describes a deep psychological blow rather than mere tactical surprise.
• "for they saw that evil was come upon them": This explanatory clause reveals the content of their sudden realization. "Evil" here is not just misfortune but the complete, crushing reality of their impending defeat and destruction, directly tied to the severe consequences of their unrepentant sin against their fellow Israelites and ultimately against God's standards. Their sight of the Israelite turning movement allowed them to perceive their desperate situation, a recognition of inescapable calamity and divine retribution.

Judges 20 41 Bonus section

This verse provides a powerful example of the biblical principle of pride going before a fall, as Benjamin's previous successes likely fueled an overconfidence that left them vulnerable to Israel's trap. The term "evil" (ra'ah) is critically used here, not merely as an unfortunate event but as the deserved, overwhelming consequences of their morally reprehensible actions and the failure to exact justice. This reflects the sovereign hand of God in the battle, despite the human brutality, ensuring that the rebellion within Israel was decisively dealt with. The narrative, as it unfolds in Judges, underscores the grave spiritual condition of Israel at this time, demonstrating how a nation without strong, godly leadership could devolve into such internecine violence and moral depravity, even requiring a violent cleansing by divine decree. The psychological element of sudden panic and disarray is also a recurring motif in battles where God's hand is against an army (e.g., Philistines in 1 Samuel).

Judges 20 41 Commentary

Judges 20:41 is the pivot point of the horrific civil war against Benjamin. After suffering two unexpected defeats, Israel, upon renewed divine instruction, implemented a strategic ambush. This verse captures the moment when Benjamin, lulled into a false sense of security and overconfidence by their previous victories, realized they had been ensnared. The Israelite "turn" was not a random act but the planned springing of the trap. This sudden revelation terrified the Benjaminites, shattering their morale as they comprehended the overwhelming calamity and divine judgment that had arrived upon them. The "evil" that came upon them was the righteous retribution for their defiance and the unpunished wickedness within their tribe, fulfilling God's pronouncements of their defeat. It illustrates the swift and crushing impact of divine judgment on those who oppose righteousness, even among God's chosen people when they stray far from His paths.