Judges 20:39

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּֽהֲפֹ֥ךְ
H2015
retired
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
#2
אִ֔ישׁ
H376
And when the 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)
#3
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
כַּמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
H4421
battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#5
וּבִנְיָמִ֡ן
H1144
Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#6
הֵחֵל֩
H2490
began
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
#7
לְהַכּ֨וֹת
H5221
to smite
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#8
חֲלָלִ֤ים
H2491
and kill
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
#9
אִ֔ישׁ
H376
And when the 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)
#10
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#11
כִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים
H7970
about thirty
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
#12
אִ֔ישׁ
H376
And when the 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)
#13
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#14
אָֽמְר֔וּ
H559
for they said
to say (used with great latitude)
#15
אַךְ֩
H389
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
#16
נִגָּ֥ף
H5062
Surely
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
#17
נִגָּ֥ף
H5062
Surely
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
#18
הוּא֙
H1931
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
#19
לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#20
כַּמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
H4421
battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#21
הָרִֽאשֹׁנָֽה׃
H7223
us as in the first
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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