Judges 20:39
And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽהֲפֹ֥ךְ
retired
H2015
וַיַּֽהֲפֹ֥ךְ
retired
Strong's:
H2015
Word #:
1 of 21
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
אִ֔ישׁ
And when the men
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
And when the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 21
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)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כַּמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
battle
H4421
כַּמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
4 of 21
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וּבִנְיָמִ֡ן
Benjamin
H1144
וּבִנְיָמִ֡ן
Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
5 of 21
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
הֵחֵל֩
began
H2490
הֵחֵל֩
began
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
6 of 21
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
לְהַכּ֨וֹת
to smite
H5221
לְהַכּ֨וֹת
to smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
7 of 21
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
חֲלָלִ֤ים
and kill
H2491
חֲלָלִ֤ים
and kill
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
8 of 21
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
אִ֔ישׁ
And when the men
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
And when the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 21
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)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אִ֔ישׁ
And when the men
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
And when the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 21
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)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַךְ֩
H389
נִגָּ֥ף
Surely
H5062
נִגָּ֥ף
Surely
Strong's:
H5062
Word #:
16 of 21
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
נִגָּ֥ף
Surely
H5062
נִגָּ֥ף
Surely
Strong's:
H5062
Word #:
17 of 21
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
18 of 21
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
לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ
before
H6440
לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
19 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Historical Context
This verse describes the thorough nature of Benjamin's military defeat and the subsequent destruction of their tribal territory following the ambush strategy blessed by God after Israel's proper consultation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do victories that come after proper seeking of God still carry tragic costs?
- What does this reveal about the consequences of civil conflict among God's people?
- How can righteous judgments escalate beyond their proper scope?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Verse 39 details the aftermath of Benjamin's defeat. And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty per... The systematic destruction of Benjamin's territory represents the tragic outcome when civil war erupts among God's people—victory comes at devastating cost to the covenant community.