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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 20:43 They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/20-43.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/07_Jdg_20_43.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 20:43 - Civil War Against Benjamin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/20-42.htm" title="Judges 20:42">◄</a> Judges 20:43 <a href="/judges/20-44.htm" title="Judges 20:44">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them and easily overran them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The Israelites surrounded the men of Benjamin and chased them relentlessly, finally overtaking them east of Gibeah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Surrounding the Benjaminites, they pursued them and trod them down from Nohah as far as opposite Gibeah on the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Thus</i> they inclosed the Benjamites round about, <i>and</i> chased them, <i>and</i> trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them, <i>and</i> easily trampled them down as far as the front of Gibeah toward the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They surrounded Benjamin, pursued them without rest, <i>and</i> trampled them down opposite Gibeah toward the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They surrounded Benjamin, pursued them without rest and trod them down opposite Gibeah toward the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They surrounded Benjamin, pursued them without rest <i>and</i> trod them down opposite Gibeah toward the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They surrounded Benjamin, pursued them without rest, <i>and</i> trod them down opposite Gibeah to the <i>east</i> toward the sunrise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They surrounded [the men of] Benjamin, pursued them relentlessly, and overtook them opposite Gibeah toward the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They surrounded the Benjaminites, pursued them, and easily overtook them near Gibeah toward the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They surrounded the Benjaminites, pursued them, and easily overtook them near Gibeah toward the east. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trod them down at their resting-place, as far as over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />who were having to fight on all sides. The Israelite soldiers never let up their attack. They chased and killed the warriors of Benjamin as far as a place directly east of Gibeah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They enclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down at their resting place, as far as over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They closed in on the men of Benjamin and pursued them without stopping. They overtook them east of Gibeah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Israelites had the enemy trapped, and without stopping they pursued them as far as a point east of Gibeah, killing them as they went. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They surrounded the army of Benjamin, pursuing them ceaselessly until they defeated them near the east-facing border of Gibeah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They surrounded the Benjaminites, chased them from Nohah, and annihilated them all the way to a spot east of Geba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They surrounded Benjamin, and they pursued them from Nohah and overtook them near Gibeah toward the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thus they inclosed the Benjaminites on all sides, and chased them, and trod them down with ease over against Gibeah towards the sun-rising.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them, and trod them down at their resting place, as far as near Gibeah toward the sunrise. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />they have surrounded the Benjamites—they have pursued them—they have trodden them down with ease as far as the front of Gibeah, at the sun-rising.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> they have compassed the Benjamites -- they have pursued them -- with ease they have trodden them down till over-against Gibeah, at the sun-rising.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They surrounded Benjamin, pursuing him from Nohah, treading him down even to the front of Gibeah, from the rising of the sun.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And so it was, that they were slain on both sides by the enemies, and there was no rest of their men dying. They fell and were beaten down on the east side of the city Gabaa. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so it happened that they were cut down on both sides by the enemies, nor was there any respite for the dying. They were killed and struck down on the eastern side of the city of Gibeah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They surrounded the men of Benjamin, pursued them from Nohah and drove them along to a point east of Gibeah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Cutting down the Benjaminites, they pursued them from Nohah and trod them down as far as a place east of Gibeah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Thus they pursued the Benjamites and drove them away, and smote them with ease, to the east beyond Gibeah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they pursued Benyamin and they expelled him, and with ease they slew him unto Gebah from the dawning of the sun<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and overtook them at their resting-place, as far as over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they cut down Benjamin, and pursued him from Nua closely till they came opposite Gabaa on the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/20-43.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=6352" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Civil War Against Benjamin</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">42</span>So they fled before the men of Israel toward the wilderness, but the battle overtook them, and the men coming out of the cities struck them down there. <span class="reftext">43</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3803.htm" title="3803: kit·tə·rū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To surround. A primitive root; to enclose; hence to crown, to besiege; also to wait.">They surrounded</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1144.htm" title="1144: bin·yā·min (N-proper-ms) -- From ben and yamiyn; son of right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">the Benjamites,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: hir·ḏî·p̄u·hū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp:: 3ms) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">pursued them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4496.htm" title="4496: mə·nū·ḥāh (N-fs) -- Resting place, rest. Or mnuchah; feminine of Manowach; repose or peacefully; figuratively, consolation; hence an abode.">and easily</a> <a href="/hebrew/1869.htm" title="1869: hiḏ·rî·ḵu·hū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp:: 3ms) -- To tread, march. A primitive root; to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow.">overtook them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">in the vicinity</a> <a href="/hebrew/5227.htm" title="5227: nō·ḵaḥ (Prep) -- From the same as nekach; properly, the front part; used adverbially, opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1390.htm" title="1390: hag·giḇ·‘āh (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- Hill, three cities in Pal. The same as gib'ah; Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine.">of Gibeah</a> <a href="/hebrew/4217.htm" title="4217: mim·miz·raḥ- (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Place of sunrise, the east. From zarach; sunrise, i.e. The east."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: šā·meš (N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">on the east.</a> </span><span class="reftext">44</span>And 18,000 Benjamites fell, all men of valor.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/8-22.htm">Joshua 8:22</a></span><br />Meanwhile, those in the ambush came out of the city against them, and the men of Ai were trapped between the Israelite forces on both sides. So Israel struck them down until no survivor or fugitive remained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-20.htm">1 Samuel 14:20</a></span><br />Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/22-38.htm">2 Samuel 22:38-39</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I devoured and crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-37.htm">Psalm 18:37-38</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-3.htm">Isaiah 63:3</a></span><br />“I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-33.htm">Jeremiah 25:33</a></span><br />Those slain by the LORD on that day will be spread from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned, gathered, or buried. They will be like dung lying on the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/2-21.htm">Lamentations 2:21</a></span><br />Both young and old lie together in the dust of the streets. My young men and maidens have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of Your anger; You have slaughtered them without compassion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/21-14.htm">Ezekiel 21:14</a></span><br />‘So then, son of man, prophesy and strike your hands together. Let the sword strike two times, even three. It is a sword that slays, a sword of great slaughter closing in on every side!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-3.htm">Hosea 13:3</a></span><br />Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes, like chaff blown from a threshing floor, like smoke through an open window.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-1.htm">Amos 9:1</a></span><br />I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-28.htm">Matthew 24:28</a></span><br />Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-37.htm">Luke 17:37</a></span><br />“Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-22.htm">Romans 11:22</a></span><br />Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-11.htm">1 Corinthians 10:11</a></span><br />Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/2-14.htm">2 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Thus they enclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and stepped them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sun rise.</p><p class="hdg">inclosed </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/8-20.htm">Judges 8:20-22</a></b></br> And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, <i>and</i> slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he <i>was</i> yet a youth… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/20-41.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">Benjaminites</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">Benjamites</a> <a href="/judges/9-40.htm">Chased</a> <a href="/judges/20-6.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-65.htm">Ease</a> <a href="/judges/16-9.htm">Easily</a> <a href="/judges/11-18.htm">East</a> <a href="/exodus/39-13.htm">Inclosed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/8-2.htm">Nohah</a> <a href="/judges/19-10.htm">Opposite</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-5.htm">Overran</a> <a href="/judges/20-42.htm">Overtook</a> <a href="/judges/8-12.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-12.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/judges/8-32.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/judges/20-29.htm">Round</a> <a href="/judges/20-5.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/judges/9-33.htm">Sunrise</a> <a href="/joshua/19-34.htm">Sunrising</a> <a href="/joshua/19-27.htm">Sun-Rising</a> <a href="/judges/20-5.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/judges/19-18.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/judges/9-27.htm">Trod</a> <a href="/judges/9-27.htm">Trodden</a> <a href="/judges/9-27.htm">Trode</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/20-44.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/21-13.htm">Benjaminites</a> <a href="/judges/20-44.htm">Benjamites</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-19.htm">Chased</a> <a href="/ruth/2-9.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-5.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-5.htm">Ease</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-6.htm">Easily</a> <a href="/judges/21-19.htm">East</a> <a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">Inclosed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/8-2.htm">Nohah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-5.htm">Opposite</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-23.htm">Overran</a> <a href="/judges/20-45.htm">Overtook</a> <a href="/judges/20-45.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/ruth/2-7.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/ruth/1-17.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/ruth/4-16.htm">Round</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-3.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-4.htm">Sunrise</a> <a href="/revelation/16-12.htm">Sunrising</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-33.htm">Sun-Rising</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-26.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-14.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-43.htm">Trod</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-33.htm">Trodden</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-17.htm">Trode</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-1.htm">The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-8.htm">The decree of the assembly</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-12.htm">The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-18.htm">The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/20-26.htm">They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They surrounded the Benjamites</b><br>The tribe of Benjamin was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's youngest son, Benjamin. The surrounding of the Benjamites by the other Israelite tribes signifies a strategic military maneuver, indicating the severity of the conflict. This event is part of a larger narrative where the Israelites sought justice for a grievous crime committed in Gibeah, a Benjamite city. The surrounding of the Benjamites can be seen as a fulfillment of divine justice, as the Israelites sought to purge evil from among them, a recurring theme in the Old Testament (<a href="/deuteronomy/13-5.htm">Deuteronomy 13:5</a>).<p><b>pursued them</b><br>The pursuit of the Benjamites highlights the intensity and determination of the Israelite forces. This relentless pursuit can be compared to other biblical instances where God's people are called to pursue righteousness and justice (<a href="/proverbs/21-21.htm">Proverbs 21:21</a>). The pursuit also reflects the seriousness of the covenant community in dealing with sin, as the Benjamites had refused to hand over the perpetrators of the crime in Gibeah.<p><b>and easily overtook them</b><br>The ease with which the Israelites overtook the Benjamites suggests divine intervention and favor. Throughout the Old Testament, God often grants victory to His people when they act in accordance with His will (<a href="/joshua/10-8.htm">Joshua 10:8</a>). This phrase underscores the idea that when God is with His people, their enemies cannot stand against them, a principle echoed in <a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a>.<p><b>in the vicinity of Gibeah</b><br>Gibeah was a significant city within the territory of Benjamin, known for its association with King Saul, Israel's first king. The events in Gibeah serve as a backdrop for the moral and spiritual decline of Israel during the time of the Judges, a period marked by the repeated cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The location is crucial as it ties the narrative to the broader theme of Israel's need for righteous leadership, ultimately pointing to the future kingship of David and the messianic hope in Jesus Christ.<p><b>on the east</b><br>The mention of the east may have geographical significance, indicating the direction from which the Israelites approached or the area where the Benjamites attempted to flee. In biblical symbolism, the east often represents beginnings or origins, as seen in the Garden of Eden (<a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">Genesis 2:8</a>). This directional detail might also suggest the completeness of the Israelites' victory, as they left no escape route for the Benjamites, emphasizing the totality of God's judgment against sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_benjamites.htm">The Benjamites</a></b><br>A tribe of Israel, descended from Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob. In this context, they are engaged in a civil war against the other Israelite tribes due to the grievous sin committed in Gibeah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The collective tribes of Israel, excluding Benjamin, who have gathered to execute judgment on the tribe of Benjamin for their refusal to hand over the perpetrators of a heinous crime.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gibeah.htm">Gibeah</a></b><br>A city in the territory of Benjamin, where the crime that sparked the conflict took place. It is the focal point of the battle described in <a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Judges 20</a>.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_battle.htm">The Battle</a></b><br>A significant conflict between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes, resulting in the near annihilation of the Benjamites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit.htm">The Pursuit</a></b><br>The Israelites' strategic encirclement and pursuit of the Benjamites, leading to their defeat.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The events in <a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Judges 20</a> highlight the severe consequences of unrepentant sin and the importance of addressing wrongdoing within a community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_and_division.htm">Unity and Division</a></b><br>The civil war among the Israelites serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of division within God's people and the need for unity in righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_mercy.htm">Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>While justice was served against the Benjamites, the broader account in <a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Judges 20-21</a> also shows the need for mercy and restoration, as the Israelites later seek to preserve the tribe of Benjamin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>The absence of strong, godly leadership in Israel during this period ("In those days Israel had no king") underscores the need for righteous leaders to guide God's people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_26,000_benjamites_resist_israel.htm">Judges 20:15 - How could only 26,000 men from Benjamin withstand the combined forces of Israel for so long, given the massive numerical imbalance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_promote_abduction_in_judges_21_20-23.htm">Why does the text promote the abduction of women as a solution for the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 21:20-23)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_allow_violent_vows.htm">How could an all-knowing God condone vows leading to violence against families and communities (Judges 21:1-11)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/judges_20_29-34__historical_strategy_or_edit.htm">Judges 20:29-34 - Does the described ambush and subsequent slaughter align with known military strategies from this period, or does it reflect later editorial insertions?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(43) A strong and poetic description of the total rout and massacre which ensued.<p><span class= "bld">With ease.</span>--There is no "with" in the Hebrew, but perhaps it may be understood. The LXX. and Luther make it mean "from Noria." Others render it "in their rest," i.e., in the places to which they fled for refuge. The Vulg. paraphrases it: "Nor was there any repose of the dying." But the whole verse is obscure.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 43.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thus they inclosed</span>, etc. Another difficult passage, having all the appearance of being a quotation from some poetical description of the battle. The tenses of the verbs and the absence of any conjunctions in the Hebrew makes the diction like that of <a href="/judges/5-19.htm">Judges 5:19</a>. The italic words <span class="accented">thus</span> and the two ands ought to be omitted, to give the stately march of the original. "They inclosed, etc.; they chased them; they trod them down," etc. <span class="accented">They inclosed</span> seems to refer to the stratagem by which the Benjamites were <span class="accented">surrounded</span> by the ambush in their rear and the Israelites in front. Then came the pursuit - "they chased them;" then the massacre - "they trod them down." The three verbs describe the three stages of the battle. <span class="cmt_word">With ease</span>. It does not seem possible that the Hebrew word <span class="accented">menuchah</span> can have this meaning. It means sometimes a <span class="accented">place of rest</span>, and sometimes <span class="accented">a state of rest.</span> Taking the latter meaning, the words <span class="accented">they trod them into rest</span> may mean <span class="accented">they quieted them by crushing them to death under their</span> feet, or <span class="accented">in rest</span> may mean <span class="accented">unresisting.</span> Some render it <span class="accented">unto Menuchah</span>, as if <span class="accented">Menuchah</span> was the name of a place, or <span class="accented">from Nochah</span>, as the Septuagint does. Others, <span class="accented">at the place of rest</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> at every place where they halted to rest the enemy was upon them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/20-43.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They surrounded</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּתְּר֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(kit·tə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3803.htm">Strong's 3803: </a> </span><span class="str2">To enclose, to crown, to besiege, to wait</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Benjamites,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּנְיָמִן֙</span> <span class="translit">(bin·yā·min)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1144.htm">Strong's 1144: </a> </span><span class="str2">Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pursued them,</span><br /><span class="heb">הִרְדִיפֻ֔הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hir·ḏî·p̄u·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and easily</span><br /><span class="heb">מְנוּחָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·nū·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4496.htm">Strong's 4496: </a> </span><span class="str2">Repose, peacefully, consolation, an abode</span><br /><br /><span class="word">overtook them</span><br /><span class="heb">הִדְרִיכֻ֑הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hiḏ·rî·ḵu·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1869.htm">Strong's 1869: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, to walk, to string a, bow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the vicinity</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֛ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Gibeah</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגִּבְעָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(hag·giḇ·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1390.htm">Strong's 1390: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gibeah -- 'hill', three cities in Palestine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the east.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·meš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> </span><span class="str2">The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/20-43.htm">Judges 20:43 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/20-43.htm">Judges 20:43 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/20-43.htm">Judges 20:43 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/20-43.htm">Judges 20:43 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/20-43.htm">Judges 20:43 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/20-43.htm">Judges 20:43 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/20-43.htm">Judges 20:43 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/20-43.htm">Judges 20:43 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/20-43.htm">Judges 20:43 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/20-43.htm">Judges 20:43 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/20-43.htm">OT History: Judges 20:43 They surrounded the Benjamites chased them (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/20-42.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 20:42"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 20:42" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/20-44.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 20:44"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 20:44" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>