Judges 20:45
And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּפְנ֞וּ
And they turned
H6437
וַיִּפְנ֞וּ
And they turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
1 of 19
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וַיָּנֻ֤סוּ
and fled
H5127
וַיָּנֻ֤סוּ
and fled
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
2 of 19
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
הַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙
toward the wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙
toward the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
3 of 19
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
סֶ֣לַע
unto the rock
H5553
סֶ֣לַע
unto the rock
Strong's:
H5553
Word #:
5 of 19
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
וַיְעֹֽלְלֻ֙הוּ֙
and they gleaned
H5953
וַיְעֹֽלְלֻ֙הוּ֙
and they gleaned
Strong's:
H5953
Word #:
7 of 19
to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)
בַּֽמְסִלּ֔וֹת
of them in the highways
H4546
בַּֽמְסִלּ֔וֹת
of them in the highways
Strong's:
H4546
Word #:
8 of 19
a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
thousand
H505
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
10 of 19
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
אִֽישׁ׃
men
H376
אִֽישׁ׃
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 19
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)
וַיַּדְבִּ֤יקוּ
and pursued
H1692
וַיַּדְבִּ֤יקוּ
and pursued
Strong's:
H1692
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
אַֽחֲרָיו֙
hard after
H310
אַֽחֲרָיו֙
hard after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
14 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וַיַּכּ֥וּ
and slew
H5221
וַיַּכּ֥וּ
and slew
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
16 of 19
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
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 45 details the aftermath of Benjamin's defeat. And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five th... 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.