Judges 20:47
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Judges 20:47
47 But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
Chapter Context
Judges 20 is a cyclical narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of covenant, worship, truth. Written during the pre-monarchic period (c. 1375-1050 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Without central leadership, Israel faced constant threats from surrounding peoples like the Philistines and Midianites.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-48: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Judges and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Judges 20:47
47 But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?