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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 />The Israelites had arranged with the ambush that they should send up a great cloud of smoke from the city,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They had arranged to send up a large cloud of smoke from the town as a signal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in the main ambush was that when they made a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise up from the city,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the agreed sign between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in ambush was that they would make a great cloud of smoke rise from the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The men of Israel had a prearranged signal with the men in ambush: when they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The men of Israel had a prearranged signal with the men in ambush: when they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers-in-wait was, that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait was, that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The men of Israel had arranged with those waiting in ambush that they would make a big column of smoke rise from the city as a signal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The main Israelite army and the men in hiding had arranged a signal. When they saw a big cloud of smoke going up from the town, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Meanwhile, the army of Israel had arranged to signal their soldiers who had been hiding in ambush by sending up a cloud of smoke from the city. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The Israelites and the men hiding in ambush had arranged a signal. When the men hiding in ambush sent up a smoke signal from the city,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambushers was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke to rise from the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambushers was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the appointed sign of the men of Israel with the ambush was their causing a great volume of smoke to go up from the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And there was the appointed sign to the men of Israel with the ambush -- their causing to go up a great volume of smoke from the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And there was an appointment to the men of Israel with the ambush for them to raise up a great ascending of smoke from the city.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now the children of Israel had given a sign to them, whom they had laid in ambushes, that after they had taken the city, they should make a fire: that by the smoke rising on high, they might shew that the city was taken. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now the sons of Israel had given a sign to those whom they had stationed in ambushes, so that, after they had seized the city, they would light a fire, and by the smoke ascending on high, they would show that the city was captured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The arrangement the men of Israel had with the men in ambush was that they would send up a smoke signal from the city,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the agreement between the main body of Israel and the men in ambush was that when they sent up a cloud of smoke out of the city<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now there was an appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in ambush, which was that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And there was a signal to the men of Israel with the ambush, to send them up as smoke would go up from the city<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers-in-wait, that they should make a great beacon of smoke rise up out of the city.--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the children of Israel had a signal of battle with the liers in wait, that they should send up a signal of smoke from the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/20-38.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=6303" 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">37</span>The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword. <span class="reftext">38</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lə·’îš (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">The men</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">had arranged</a> <a href="/hebrew/4150.htm" title="4150: wə·ham·mō·w·‘êḏ (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- Appointed time, place, or meeting. ">a signal</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/693.htm" title="693: hā·’ō·rêḇ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To lie in wait. A primitive root; to lurk.">the men in ambush:</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: lə·ha·‘ă·lō·w·ṯām (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf:: 3mp) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">When they sent up</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: he·reḇ (V-Hifil-Imp-ms) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/4864.htm" title="4864: maś·’aṯ (N-fsc) -- An uprising, utterance, burden, portion. ">cloud</a> <a href="/hebrew/6227.htm" title="6227: he·‘ā·šān (Art:: N-ms) -- Smoke. From ashan; smoke, literally or figuratively.">of smoke</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city,</a> </span><span class="reftext">39</span>the men of Israel would turn in the battle. When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.”…<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/8-18.htm">Joshua 8:18-20</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Hold out your battle lance toward Ai, for into your hand I will deliver the city.” So Joshua held out his battle lance toward Ai, / and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire. / When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/31-3.htm">Numbers 31:3-6</a></span><br />So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them. / Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.” / So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-12.htm">1 Samuel 14:12-14</a></span><br />So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” / So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. / In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-24.htm">2 Samuel 5:24-25</a></span><br />As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” / So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-20.htm">2 Kings 3:20-24</a></span><br />The next morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, water suddenly flowed from the direction of Edom and filled the land. / Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. So all who could bear arms, young and old, were summoned and stationed at the border. / When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-19.htm">Isaiah 13:19</a></span><br />And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-40.htm">Jeremiah 50:40</a></span><br />As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighbors,” declares the LORD, “no one will dwell there; no man will abide there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/38-22.htm">Ezekiel 38:22</a></span><br />I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-14.htm">Hosea 10:14</a></span><br />the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/2-2.htm">Amos 2:2</a></span><br />So I will send fire against Moab to consume the citadels of Kerioth. Moab will die in tumult, amid war cries and the sound of the ram’s horn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-15.htm">Matthew 24:15-16</a></span><br />So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-14.htm">Mark 13:14</a></span><br />So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20-21</a></span><br />But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-19.htm">Acts 2:19</a></span><br />I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Romans 15:4</a></span><br />For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now 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.</p><p class="hdg">sign.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Ambushers</a> <a href="/judges/18-17.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/judges/20-22.htm">Arranged</a> <a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Beacon</a> <a href="/judges/18-25.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">City</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-15.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/judges/20-36.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Liers</a> <a href="/judges/19-22.htm">Making</a> <a href="/judges/9-6.htm">Pillar</a> <a href="/judges/20-19.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/judges/6-17.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/numbers/10-7.htm">Signal</a> <a href="/joshua/8-21.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/judges/20-33.htm">Surprise</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-7.htm">Volume</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Wait</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-5.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/20-22.htm">Ambushers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-5.htm">Arranged</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-7.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">Beacon</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-24.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/8-13.htm">Liers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-26.htm">Making</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">Pillar</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">Signal</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-13.htm">Surprise</a> <a href="/judges/20-40.htm">Volume</a> <a href="/judges/21-20.htm">Wait</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>The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush:</b><br>This phrase highlights the strategic planning and military tactics employed by the Israelites. The use of signals in warfare is a common practice in ancient military operations, indicating a level of organization and communication. This reflects the Israelites' reliance on human strategy in addition to divine guidance. The ambush tactic is reminiscent of the strategy used in the battle of Ai (Joshua 8), where God instructed Joshua to set an ambush against the city. This connection underscores the continuity of God's involvement in Israel's military endeavors.<p><b>When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city:</b><br>The signal of a great cloud of smoke serves as a visual cue for coordination during the battle. In ancient warfare, smoke was often used to communicate over long distances, especially in the absence of modern communication tools. The smoke rising from the city signifies the successful breach and burning of the city, a common practice in ancient conquests to demonstrate total victory and destruction. This imagery of smoke is also symbolic in biblical literature, often representing God's presence or judgment, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (<a href="/genesis/19-28.htm">Genesis 19:28</a>). The use of smoke here can be seen as a type of divine judgment against the Benjamites for their grievous sin, aligning with the broader biblical theme of God using human agents to execute His justice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The collective tribes of Israel, who are engaged in a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin due to the grievous sin committed in Gibeah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_in_ambush.htm">The Men in Ambush</a></b><br>A group of Israelite soldiers strategically positioned to attack the city of Gibeah as part of a military tactic.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_city_of_gibeah.htm">The City of Gibeah</a></b><br>A Benjamite city where a heinous crime occurred, leading to the conflict between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_signal.htm">The Signal</a></b><br>A prearranged sign involving a great cloud of smoke, used to coordinate the attack and ensure the Israelites' victory over the Benjamites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tribe_of_benjamin.htm">The Tribe of Benjamin</a></b><br>One of the twelve tribes of Israel, which is defending itself against the other tribes due to the actions of some of its members.<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="/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38</a> are a direct result of the sin committed in Gibeah. Sin has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only individuals but entire communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_unity.htm">The Importance of Unity</a></b><br>The Israelites' ability to coordinate and execute a complex military strategy underscores the importance of unity and cooperation among God's people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/strategic_planning_in_spiritual_warfare.htm">Strategic Planning in Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites used a signal and ambush, Christians are called to be strategic in their spiritual battles, using wisdom and discernment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>While the passage highlights God's justice in dealing with sin, it also points to His mercy, as the conflict ultimately leads to reconciliation and restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Effective leadership is crucial in times of crisis. The Israelites' leaders played a key role in organizing the ambush and ensuring the success of their plan.<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/judges_20__is_there_archeological_proof.htm">Judges 20 (entire chapter) - Is there any archeological evidence supporting so great a civil war among the tribes of Israel, or are the events purely literary?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_allow_israel's_defeats_first.htm">Judges 20:18-23 - Why would God direct Israel to attack Benjamin, allow defeat twice, and then finally grant them victory on the third attempt?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_wasn't_the_levite_condemned.htm">Judges 19:25--Why didn't the Levite face direct condemnation for offering his concubine to the crowd, despite moral laws elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_stars_'fight'_scientifically.htm">Judges 5:20: How can we reconcile the statement that 'the stars fought' with scientific understanding of celestial bodies?</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>(38) signal which had been agreed upon.<p><span class= "bld">That they should make.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">multiply to cause to ascend. </span>The actual words of the agreed on signal are quoted. For the word <span class= "ital">hereb </span>(which is an imperative) some MSS. read <span class= "ital">chereb, </span>"a sword," and this is adopted by the LXX. (Cod. A). But the flash of a sword would not be seen at such a distance, and the word gives no good sense. Otherwise it would remind us of the shield, which was seen to flash in the sun as a traitorous signal from Athens to the Persians, just before the battle of Marathon.<p><span class= "bld">A great flame with smoke.</span>--The margin gives <span class= "ital">elevation </span>for <span class= "ital">"</span>flame." It means a column of smoke, or "beacon." (Comp. <a href="/jeremiah/6-1.htm" title="O you children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the middle of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appears out of the north, and great destruction.">Jeremiah 6:1</a> : "Set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem.")<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/20-38.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">The men</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאִ֥ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had arranged</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיָ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a signal</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַמּוֹעֵ֗ד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ham·mō·w·‘êḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4150.htm">Strong's 4150: </a> </span><span class="str2">Appointed time, place, or meeting</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">עִם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the men in ambush:</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֹרֵ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ō·rêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_693.htm">Strong's 693: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie in wait</span><br /><br /><span class="word">When they sent up</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהַעֲלוֹתָ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ha·‘ă·lō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a great</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶ֕רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(he·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cloud</span><br /><span class="heb">מַשְׂאַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(maś·’aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4864.htm">Strong's 4864: </a> </span><span class="str2">A raising, rising, an utterance, a beacon, a present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of smoke</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶעָשָׁ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(he·‘ā·šān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6227.htm">Strong's 6227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Smoke</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מִן־</span> <span class="translit">(min-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the city,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִֽיר׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/20-38.htm">Judges 20:38 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/20-38.htm">OT History: Judges 20:38 Now the appointed sign between the men (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/20-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 20:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 20:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/20-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 20:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 20:39" /></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>