Judges 20:34
And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּבֹאוּ֩
And there came
H935
וַיָּבֹאוּ֩
And there came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מִנֶּ֨גֶד
against
H5048
מִנֶּ֨גֶד
against
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
2 of 18
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
אֲלָפִ֨ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֨ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
5 of 18
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
אִ֤ישׁ
men
H376
אִ֤ישׁ
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 18
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)
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
out of all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
out of all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
9 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְהַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
and the battle
H4421
וְהַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
and the battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
10 of 18
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
כָּבֵ֑דָה
was sore
H3513
כָּבֵ֑דָה
was sore
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
11 of 18
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָֽדְע֔וּ
but they knew
H3045
יָֽדְע֔וּ
but they knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
14 of 18
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נֹגַ֥עַת
was near
H5060
נֹגַ֥עַת
was near
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
Cross References
Joshua 8:14And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.Isaiah 47:11Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.Job 21:13They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
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 34: And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: bu... [The battle unfolds according to God's promised deliverance, with Israel's ambush strategy succeeding through divine blessing following proper consultation.]