Judges 20:31
And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּֽצְא֤וּ
went out
H3318
וַיֵּֽצְא֤וּ
went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 26
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בְנֵֽי
And the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בִנְיָמִן֙
of Benjamin
H1144
בִנְיָמִן֙
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
3 of 26
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
לִקְרַ֣את
against
H7125
לִקְרַ֣את
against
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
4 of 26
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
מֵֽהָעָ֨ם
of the people
H5971
מֵֽהָעָ֨ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 26
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָעִ֑יר
from the city
H5892
הָעִ֑יר
from the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
8 of 26
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וַיָּחֵ֡לּוּ
and they began
H2490
וַיָּחֵ֡לּוּ
and they began
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
לְהַכּוֹת֩
to smite
H5221
לְהַכּוֹת֩
to smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
10 of 26
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
מֵֽהָעָ֨ם
of the people
H5971
מֵֽהָעָ֨ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 26
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
חֲלָלִ֜ים
and kill
H2491
חֲלָלִ֜ים
and kill
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
12 of 26
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
בְּפַ֗עַם
as at other times
H6471
בְּפַ֗עַם
as at other times
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
13 of 26
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
בְּפַ֗עַם
as at other times
H6471
בְּפַ֗עַם
as at other times
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
14 of 26
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
בַּֽמְסִלּוֹת֙
in the highways
H4546
בַּֽמְסִלּוֹת֙
in the highways
Strong's:
H4546
Word #:
15 of 26
a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְאַחַ֤ת
and the other
H259
וְאַחַ֤ת
and the other
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
עֹלָ֣ה
goeth up
H5927
עֹלָ֣ה
goeth up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
18 of 26
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בֵֽית
to the house
H1004
בֵֽית
to the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
19 of 26
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְאַחַ֤ת
and the other
H259
וְאַחַ֤ת
and the other
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
21 of 26
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
גִּבְעָ֙תָה֙
to Gibeah
H1390
גִּבְעָ֙תָה֙
to Gibeah
Strong's:
H1390
Word #:
22 of 26
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
Historical Context
This verse describes tactical details of the third-day battle where Israel's ambush strategy, blessed by God after proper seeking (vv. 26-28), results in Benjamin's defeat.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you see God's hand in the tactical details of life after committing your way to Him?
- What role does strategy play when combined with divine blessing?
- How do preparation and prayer work together in achieving godly outcomes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 31: And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and the... [The battle unfolds according to God's promised deliverance, with Israel's ambush strategy succeeding through divine blessing following proper consultation.]