Judges 20:39
“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.”
Judges 20:39 in 7 translations
- KJVKing 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.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- And when the children of Israel saw this in the battle (for the children of Benjamin thought they fled and pursued them vigorously, killing thirty men of their army)
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- And the men of Israel turned in the battle, and 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.
- DARBYDarby
- the men of Israel should turn in battle. Now Benjamin had begun to smite and kill about thirty men of Israel; they said, |Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.|
- WEBThe World English Bible
- The men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons; for they said, Surely they are struck down before us, as in the first battle.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- And the men of Israel turn in battle, and Benjamin hath begun to smite the wounded among the men of Israel, about thirty men, for they said, 'Surely they are utterly smitten before us, as at the first battle;
- BPVBiblePics 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.
Context: Judges 20
37And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.
38Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city.
39And 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.
40But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.
41And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.
About Judges 20: Battle Against the Benjamites
The Israelites unite to punish the tribe of Benjamin for the crime, but end up killing all the men, women and children of the tribe.
Commentary
Judges chapter 20 is a powerful chapter that speaks to the power of God and His ability to bring justice and peace to His people. In this chapter, the Israelites are in a state of civil war, with the tribes of Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel in conflict. The other tribes of Israel have come together to seek justice against the tribe of Benjamin for their wickedness. The Israelites gather together at Mizpah and the Lord sends a prophet to speak to them. The prophet tells them that the Lord will deliver justice and that the tribe of Benjamin will be defeated.