Judges 20:47
But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּפְנ֞וּ
turned
H6437
וַיִּפְנ֞וּ
turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
1 of 14
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
וַיָּנֻ֤סוּ
and fled
H5127
וַיָּנֻ֤סוּ
and fled
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
2 of 14
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
הַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙
to the wilderness
H4057
הַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙
to the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
3 of 14
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
בְּסֶ֣לַע
in the rock
H5553
בְּסֶ֣לַע
in the rock
Strong's:
H5553
Word #:
5 of 14
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
שֵׁ֥שׁ
But six
H8337
שֵׁ֥שׁ
But six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
7 of 14
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
אִ֑ישׁ
men
H376
אִ֑ישׁ
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 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)
וַיֵּֽשְׁבוּ֙
and abode
H3427
וַיֵּֽשְׁבוּ֙
and abode
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּסֶ֣לַע
in the rock
H5553
בְּסֶ֣לַע
in the rock
Strong's:
H5553
Word #:
11 of 14
a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)
Historical Context
The rock of Rimmon, located about 3.5 miles east of Bethel, was likely a limestone formation with caves providing defensible refuge. Similar strongholds dot Israel's wilderness regions. That 600 men could hide there four months demonstrates both the location's remoteness and Israel's rage—they spent four months systematically destroying all Benjamite cities rather than immediately pursuing the survivors.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God preserve remnants even when judgment is righteous and severe?
- What does it mean to dwell in liminal space between judgment and restoration?
- How do you see God's covenant faithfulness maintaining hope even through devastating consequences of sin?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon (סֶלַע רִמּוֹן, sela rimmon, 'rock of Rimmon')—600 Benjamites escape to a wilderness stronghold. And abode in the rock Rimmon four months (אַרְבָּעָה חֳדָשִׁים, arba'ah chodashim)—they hide four months while Israel destroys Benjamin's cities (v. 48). These 600 represent Benjamin's sole survivors; their tribe teeters on extinction.
The rock of Rimmon becomes refuge for Benjamin's remnant, from which the tribe will eventually be rebuilt (chapter 21). This demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness: despite Benjamin's guilt defending criminals, and despite righteous judgment destroying their army and cities, God preserves a remnant. The 600 survivors parallel other remnant themes throughout Scripture—God never completely destroys His covenant people, always preserving a seed from which restoration comes. Yet the four months at Rimmon represent liminal space between judgment and restoration, where the guilty remnant must dwell in their desolation before grace provides reconciliation. This pattern recurs throughout biblical history: judgment → remnant preservation → period of desolation → gracious restoration.