Judges 20:30
And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲל֧וּ
went up
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֧וּ
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 13
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בְּנֵ֥י
And the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
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
בְּנֵ֥י
And the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
6 of 13
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 13
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
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י
on the third
H7992
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י
on the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
8 of 13
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
וַיַּֽעַרְכ֥וּ
and put themselves in array
H6186
וַיַּֽעַרְכ֥וּ
and put themselves in array
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
9 of 13
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
הַגִּבְעָ֖ה
against Gibeah
H1390
הַגִּבְעָ֖ה
against Gibeah
Strong's:
H1390
Word #:
11 of 13
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
Historical Context
Military deception through feigned patterns was well-established (Joshua 8 at Ai, Gideon's nighttime raid in Judges 7). Benjamin's overconfidence after two victories made them vulnerable to exactly this strategy—initial success often breeds carelessness. The third day timing reflects both ancient battle rhythms and theological symbolism (resurrection/victory on third day).
Questions for Reflection
- How has God redeemed your past failures to serve His purposes once you finally surrendered?
- What does it mean that godly wisdom can employ strategic deception in warfare without sinning?
- How does overconfidence from success make you vulnerable to unexpected reversal?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times (כְּפַעַם בְּפַעַם, kefaam befaam, 'as time by time')—they appear to repeat previous tactics, but verse 29 revealed hidden ambush forces. Israel uses their previous failures as deception: Benjamin expects another direct assault they can repel, not suspecting the trap.
This demonstrates redeemed failure: Israel's two defeats become tactical advantage as Benjamin grows overconfident. God wastes nothing—even our failures serve His purposes when we finally submit to Him. What appeared as tragic loss (40,000 casualties) now functions as setup for victory through established pattern Benjamin expects. This illustrates Romans 8:28: God works all things—including defeats resulting from our pride—for good when we finally surrender. The 'as at other times' is simultaneously authentic (same visible deployment) and deceptive (hidden ambush), showing that godly wisdom can employ cunning without sin (Matthew 10:16, 'wise as serpents').