Judges 20:21

Authorized King James Version

And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֵּֽצְא֥וּ
came forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
בְנֵֽי
And the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
of Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#4
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#5
הַגִּבְעָ֑ה
out of Gibeah
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
#6
וַיַּשְׁחִ֨יתוּ
and destroyed down
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
#7
בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
of the Israelites
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#8
בַּיּ֣וֹם
that day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#9
הַה֗וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#10
שְׁנַ֨יִם
and two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#11
וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים
twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#12
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#13
אִ֖ישׁ
men
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)
#14
אָֽרְצָה׃
to the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources