Judges 20:42
Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּפְנ֞וּ
Therefore they turned
H6437
וַיִּפְנ֞וּ
Therefore they turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
1 of 14
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
לִפְנֵ֨י
their backs before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֨י
their backs before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אִ֤ישׁ
the men
H376
אִ֤ישׁ
the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 14
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 #:
4 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
unto the way
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
unto the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
6 of 14
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר
of the wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר
of the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
7 of 14
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וְהַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
but the battle
H4421
וְהַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה
but the battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
8 of 14
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
הִדְבִּיקָ֑תְהוּ
overtook
H1692
הִדְבִּיקָ֑תְהוּ
overtook
Strong's:
H1692
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
וַֽאֲשֶׁר֙
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מֵהֶ֣עָרִ֔ים
them and them which came out of the cities
H5892
מֵהֶ֣עָרִ֔ים
them and them which came out of the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
11 of 14
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
מַשְׁחִיתִ֥ים
they destroyed
H7843
מַשְׁחִיתִ֥ים
they destroyed
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
12 of 14
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
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 42 details the aftermath of Benjamin's defeat. Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them;... 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.