Judges 20:41

Translations

Modern

Then the men of Israel turned back on them, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had come upon them.

Traditional

And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.

Literal

And the men of Israel turned back, and the men of Benjamin were alarmed, for they saw that disaster had come upon them.

Latin

…qui prius simulaverant fugam, versa facie fortius resistebant. Quod cum vidissent filii Benjamin, in fugam versi sunt,

Original

Hebrew

English

Then the men of Israel turned back on them, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had come upon them.

Notes

Judges 20:36–48

This section provides another description of the battle.

Judges 20:29–44

On the third day, they used similar tricks and surprise attacks as when they took over Ai (Joshua 8:1–29).

Judges 19:1–21:25

This second epilogue (see study note on Judges 17:1–21:25) shifts the focus from individuals to entire tribes. It begins with the outrage in the Benjamite town of Gibeah (Judges 19), which led to a civil war (Judges 20) and the near destruction of Benjamin. It then moves to the attempt to save the tribe from disappearing (Judges 21). The book ends with the familiar refrain: In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This was what they did in the days of Gibea, perhaps the lowest point in Israel's history that Hosea, 400 years later, would compare to the depths Ephraim had reached (Hosea 9:9; 10:9).
The path was cleared for a shift from charismatic leadership to "covenant-charismatic kingship." This kingship combined living under the Lord’s covenant with the anointing of the spirit for ruling, as seen with Saul and David.

Judges 17:1–21:25

These two epilogues (Judges 17–18 and 19–21) show that inspired but unstructured leadership cannot last. As society moved toward chaos and civil war, the phrase, In those days there was no king in Israel appears four times. The phrase, everyone did what was right in his own eyes is added twice (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). The era of inspired leadership declined and ended in disorder. Something important was missing.

Theme notes and profiles

Human Sexuality Social Chaos in Judges

Related verses

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Luke 21:26
Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
2 Peter 2:12
These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.
Luke 17:27–28
People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
Revelation 18:8–10
Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”
Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?”
Isaiah 13:8–9
Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear.
Exodus 15:9–10
The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’
Revelation 6:15–17
Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.

People

Benjamin: Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Benjamin, Tribe of Concubinage, Concubines Gibeah Jabesh, Jabesh-Gilead (Place) Judges, Book of

Topics

Ambush: At Gibeah Armies: March in Ranks: Ambushes at Gibeah Armies: March in Ranks: Decoy Strategy in War The Jews: Obliged to Unite Against Enemies Tribe of Benjamin: Almost Annihilated for Protecting the Men of Gibeah

Judges 20:41

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?