Judges 20:20
And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּצֵא֙
went out
H3318
וַיֵּצֵא֙
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 13
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אִֽישׁ
And the men
H376
אִֽישׁ
And the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִלְחָמָ֖ה
to battle
H4421
מִלְחָמָ֖ה
to battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
4 of 13
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
5 of 13
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
בִּנְיָמִ֑ן
against Benjamin
H1144
בִּנְיָמִ֑ן
against Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
6 of 13
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וַיַּֽעַרְכ֨וּ
put themselves in array
H6186
וַיַּֽעַרְכ֨וּ
put themselves in array
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
7 of 13
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
אִתָּ֧ם
H853
אִתָּ֧ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אִֽישׁ
And the men
H376
אִֽישׁ
And the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Historical Context
Ancient battles began with careful troop deployment. The phrase 'put in array' describes formal battle lines—shield walls, ranked infantry, archers, and slingers positioned strategically. Gibeah's location on a hill required Israel to fight uphill, giving Benjamin tactical advantage. Archaeological evidence suggests Gibeah (Tell el-Ful) occupied a strong defensive position, making assault difficult even for superior numbers.
Questions for Reflection
- When does procedural correctness substitute for heart-level humility before God?
- How do you confuse religious activity and technical compliance with genuine dependence on God?
- What defeats has God allowed to expose your self-sufficient heart and teach deeper seeking?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin—Israel advances with Judah leading. Put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah (וַיַּעַרְכוּ אִתָּם מִלְחָמָה, vaya'archu ittam milchamah)—'put in array' (עָרַךְ, arach) means to arrange battle lines, deploy strategically. Israel approaches with professional military organization.
Everything appears procedurally correct: they consulted God (v. 18), received designation of Judah as vanguard, organized their massive force strategically. Yet verse 21 will reveal shocking defeat. This demonstrates that outward correctness doesn't guarantee divine blessing when heart posture is incomplete. Israel's military deployment was impeccable; their spiritual preparation was inadequate. They asked one question of God and considered that sufficient consultation. This teaches that religious ritual (going to Bethel), technical compliance (Judah first), and strategic competence (proper deployment) cannot substitute for humble dependence on God. The chapter's repeated defeats force Israel into progressively deeper consultation (v. 23, 26-28) until they finally seek God with fasting, sacrifice, and appropriate humility. Sometimes God allows initial defeats to expose our self-sufficient hearts and teach that His presence, not our procedures, determines outcomes.