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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 20:31 The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/20-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/07_Jdg_20_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 20:31 - Civil War Against Benjamin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/20-31.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/20-31.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 31</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.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/20-30.htm" title="Judges 20:30">◄</a> Judges 20:31 <a href="/judges/20-32.htm" title="Judges 20:32">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/judges/20.htm">New International Version</a> The Benjamites came out to meet them and were drawn away from the city. They began to inflict casualties on the Israelites as before, so that about thirty men fell in the open field and on the roads—the one leading to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. <a href="/nlt/judges/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> When the men of Benjamin came out to attack, they were drawn away from the town. And as they had done before, they began to kill the Israelites. About thirty Israelites died in the open fields and along the roads, one leading to Bethel and the other leading back to Gibeah. <a href="/esv/judges/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the people of Benjamin went out against the people and were drawn away from the city. And as at other times they began to strike and kill some of the people in the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the open country, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. <a href="/kjv/judges/20.htm">King James Bible</a> And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/nkjv/judges/20.htm">New King James Version</a> So the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city. They began to strike down and kill some of the people, as at the other times, in the highways (one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah) and in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/nasb_/judges/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When the sons of Benjamin went out against the people, they were lured away from the city, and they began to strike and kill some of the people as at other times, on the roads (one of which goes up to Bethel, and the other to Gibeah), and in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/nasb/judges/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> The sons of Benjamin went out against the people and were drawn away from the city, and they began to strike and kill some of the people as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/nasb77/judges/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And the sons of Benjamin went out against the people and were drawn away from the city, and they began to strike and kill some of the people, as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/lsb/judges/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So the sons of Benjamin went out to meet the people and were drawn away from the city, and they began to strike and slay some of the people as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/amp/judges/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The Benjamites went out against their army and were lured away from the city, and they began to strike and kill some of the people as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the open country, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/csb/judges/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the Benjaminites came out against the troops and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the troops as before, killing about thirty men of Israel on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah through the open country. <a href="/hcsb/judges/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the Benjaminites came out against the people and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about 30 men of Israel on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah through the open country. <a href="/asv/judges/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite and kill of the people, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to Beth-el, and the other to Gibeah, in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/erv/judges/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite and kill of the people, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to Beth-el, and the other to Gibeah, in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/gwt/judges/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The men of Benjamin went out to attack Israel's troops and were led away from the city. They started to inflict casualties as before. They killed about 30 men from Israel in the open country and on the roads to Bethel and Gibeah. <a href="/gnt/judges/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> The Benjaminites came out to fight and were led away from the city. As they had before, they began killing some Israelites in the open country, on the road to Bethel and on the road to Gibeah. They killed about thirty Israelites. <a href="/isv/judges/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> They attacked the army and were drawn away from the city as they began to inflict casualties on the soldiers along the roads to Bethel and Gibeah, just as they had done the other times. About 30 soldiers from Israel fell in battle there and in the fields. <a href="/msb/judges/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. <a href="/net/judges/20.htm">NET Bible</a> The Benjaminites attacked the army, leaving the city unguarded. They began to strike down their enemy just as they had done before. On the main roads (one leads to Bethel, the other to Gibeah) and in the field, they struck down about thirty Israelites. <a href="/nheb/judges/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The people of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to strike and kill some of the people, as at other times, on the highways, of which one goes up to Bethel, and the other to Gibeah, in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/wbt/judges/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/web/judges/20.htm">World English Bible</a> The children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to strike and kill of the people as at other times, in the highways, of which one goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the sons of Benjamin come out to meet the people; they have been drawn away out of the city, and begin to strike [some] of the people—wounded as time by time—in the highways (of which one is going up to Beth-El, and the other to Gibeah in the field), [are] about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/ylt/judges/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the sons of Benjamin come out to meet the people; they have been drawn away out of the city, and begin to smite some of the people -- wounded as time by time, in the highways (of which one is going up to Beth-El, and the other to Gibeah in the field), are about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/slt/judges/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the sons of Benjamin will come forth to the meeting of the people, they were separated from the city; and they will begin to strike of the people wounded as once upon once, in the highways, which one went up to the house of God, and one to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men in Israel.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the children of Benjamin boldly issued out of the city, and seeing their enemies flee, pursued them a long way, so as to wound and kill some of them, as they had done the first and second day, whilst they fled by two highways, whereof one goeth up to Bethel, and the other to Gabaa, and they slew about thirty men: <a href="/cpdv/judges/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But the sons of Benjamin again burst forth boldly from the city. And since their enemies were fleeing, they pursued them a long way, so that they might wound or kill some of them, just as they had done on the first and second days. And they turned their backs along two paths, one bringing them toward Bethel, and the other toward Gibeah. And they struck down about thirty men. <a href="/nabre/judges/20.htm">New American Bible</a> When the Benjaminites marched out to meet the army, they began, as on other occasions, to strike down some of the troops along the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and one to Gibeah in the open country; about thirty Israelites were slain. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When the Benjaminites went out against the army, they were drawn away from the city. As before they began to inflict casualties on the troops, along the main roads, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, as well as in the open country, killing about thirty men of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the Benjamites went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city: and they began to smite the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, one of which goes up to Gibeah, and the other to Beth-el through the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/hpbt/judges/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the sons of Benjamin went out for the meeting of the people, and they emptied out from the city and they began to cast down the people slain, as at all times, in the streets, one of which went up to Gebah, and one to Bayth Eil, into a field, about thirty men of Israel<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite and kill of the people, as at other times, in the field, in the highways, of which one goeth up to Beth-el, and the other to Gibeah, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/sep/judges/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the children of Benjamin went out to meet the people, and were all drawn out of the city, and began to smite and slay the people as before in the roads, whereof one goes up to Baethel, and one to Gabaa in the field, about thirty men of Israel. <a href="/parallel/judges/20-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=6219" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Civil War Against Benjamin</a> …30On the third day the Israelites went up against the Benjamites and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as they had done before. 31<a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">The Benjamites</a> <a href="/hebrew/1144.htm" title="1144: ḇin·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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: way·yê·ṣə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">came out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: liq·raṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5423.htm" title="5423: hā·nə·tə·qū (V-Hofal-Perf-3cp) -- To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off. A primitive root; to tear off.">and were drawn away</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> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: way·yā·ḥêl·lū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play.">They began</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: lə·hak·kō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">to attack</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: mê·hā·‘ām (Prep-m, Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/6471.htm" title="6471: kə·p̄a·‘am (Prep-k:: N-fs) -- A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence. Or pa;amah; from pa'am; a stroke, literally or figuratively.">as before,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6471.htm" title="6471: bə·p̄a·‘am (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence. Or pa;amah; from pa'am; a stroke, literally or figuratively."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2491.htm" title="2491: ḥă·lā·lîm (N-mp) -- Pierced, polluted. From chalal; pierced; figuratively, polluted.">killing</a> <a href="/hebrew/7970.htm" title="7970: kiš·lō·šîm (Prep-k:: Number-cp) -- Thirty. Or shloshiym; multiple of shalowsh; thirty; or thirtieth.">about thirty</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: bə·yiś·rā·’êl (Prep-b:: 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/7704.htm" title="7704: baś·śā·ḏeh (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">in the fields</a> <a href="/hebrew/4546.htm" title="4546: bam·sil·lō·wṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fp) -- A highway. From calal; a thoroughfare, literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase.">and on the roads,</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’a·ḥaṯ (Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">of which</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ō·lāh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">led up</a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: ḇêṯ- (Prep) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: ’êl (N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine.">Bethel</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: wə·’a·ḥaṯ (Conj-w:: Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">and the other</a> <a href="/hebrew/1390.htm" title="1390: giḇ·‘ā·ṯāh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- Hill, three cities in Pal. The same as gib'ah; Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine.">to Gibeah.</a> 32“We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14-16</a> When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city. / Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness. / Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city. <a href="/2_samuel/2-18.htm">2 Samuel 2:18-23</a> The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle, / and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit. / And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied. ... <a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">1 Samuel 4:2-3</a> The Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield. / When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.” <a href="/2_chronicles/13-13.htm">2 Chronicles 13:13-17</a> Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them. / When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets, / and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. ... <a href="/1_samuel/14-14.htm">1 Samuel 14:14-15</a> In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land. / Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God. <a href="/2_kings/3-24.htm">2 Kings 3:24</a> But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites. <a href="/hosea/9-9.htm">Hosea 9:9</a> They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins. <a href="/jeremiah/7-12.htm">Jeremiah 7:12</a> But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. <a href="/psalms/78-60.htm">Psalm 78:60-64</a> He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men. / He delivered His strength to captivity, and His splendor to the hand of the adversary. / He surrendered His people to the sword because He was enraged by His heritage. ... <a href="/isaiah/10-6.htm">Isaiah 10:6</a> I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. <a href="/matthew/24-16.htm">Matthew 24:16-18</a> then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak. <a href="/luke/21-21.htm">Luke 21:21-22</a> 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. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. <a href="/mark/13-14.htm">Mark 13:14-16</a> 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. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak. <a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8-10</a> as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” / And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. / May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.” <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a> 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goes up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.drawn<a href="/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14-16</a> And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city… the house of God.<a href="/judges/19-13.htm">Judges 19:13,14</a> And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah… <a href="/isaiah/10-29.htm">Isaiah 10:29</a> They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.thirty<a href="/joshua/7-5.htm">Joshua 7:5</a> And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/20-30.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/20-26.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/judges/20-26.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/judges/20-30.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/20-11.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/8-20.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/judges/5-20.htm">Highways</a> <a href="/judges/20-26.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/20-30.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/20-5.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/judges/18-27.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/judges/6-16.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/judges/14-19.htm">Thirty</a> <a href="/judges/20-30.htm">Times</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/20-32.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/21-2.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/judges/21-2.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/judges/20-32.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/20-32.htm">City</a> <a href="/ruth/2-9.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/judges/20-32.htm">Highways</a> <a href="/judges/21-2.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/20-32.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Thirty</a> <a href="/ruth/4-7.htm">Times</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 20</div>1. <a href="/judges/20-1.htm">The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong</a> 8. <a href="/judges/20-8.htm">The decree of the assembly</a> 12. <a href="/judges/20-12.htm">The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites</a> 18. <a href="/judges/20-18.htm">The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand</a> 26. <a href="/judges/20-26.htm">They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred.</a> </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'; 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This reflects the internal strife and moral decline during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by the repeated cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The Benjamites' willingness to confront their fellow Israelites highlights the deep divisions and the severity of the conflict.and were drawn away from the city. The strategy employed by the Israelites involved luring the Benjamites away from the safety of their city, Gibeah. This tactic is reminiscent of military strategies seen elsewhere in the Bible, such as Joshua's ambush at Ai (Joshua 8). The drawing away from the city indicates a planned maneuver to weaken the Benjamites' defensive position.They began to attack the people as before, This phrase suggests a repeated pattern of aggression by the Benjamites, indicating their confidence and previous success in battle. It also underscores the ongoing nature of the conflict, with the Benjamites initially having the upper hand, as seen in earlier verses where they inflicted heavy casualties on the Israelites.killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, The specific mention of "fields and on the roads" indicates the widespread nature of the battle, not confined to a single location. This detail highlights the chaos and the tactical disadvantage faced by the Israelites. The number thirty, while relatively small, serves to illustrate the initial success of the Benjamites' attack.one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. Bethel and Gibeah are significant locations in biblical history. Bethel, meaning "house of God," was a place of worship and spiritual significance, while Gibeah was the Benjamite city at the center of the conflict. The roads leading to these locations suggest strategic routes and the importance of controlling access to key areas. The mention of these roads also provides geographical context, indicating the proximity of the battle to these notable sites.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_benjamites.htm">The Benjamites</a> A tribe of Israel, known for their skilled warriors. In this context, they are defending their city against the other Israelite tribes. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The collective tribes of Israel, excluding Benjamin, who are seeking justice for a grievous crime committed in Gibeah. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gibeah.htm">Gibeah</a> A city in the territory of Benjamin, where a heinous crime against a Levite's concubine occurred, sparking the conflict. 4. <a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel</a> A significant location in Israelite history, often associated with worship and encounters with God. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_battle.htm">The Battle</a> A strategic conflict where the Benjamites initially succeed in drawing the Israelites away from the city, inflicting casualties.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> The conflict arises from a grievous sin in Gibeah, reminding us that sin has communal and far-reaching consequences. <a href="/topical/s/strategic_warfare_and_spiritual_battles.htm">Strategic Warfare and Spiritual Battles</a> Just as the Israelites faced a strategic battle, Christians are called to be strategic in spiritual warfare, using wisdom and discernment. <a href="/topical/p/pride_and_humility.htm">Pride and Humility</a> The initial success of the Benjamites can lead to pride, a warning for us to remain humble and reliant on God, even in success. <a href="/topical/j/justice_and_mercy.htm">Justice and Mercy</a> The Israelites' pursuit of justice for the crime in Gibeah highlights the balance between justice and mercy, a theme echoed throughout Scripture. <a href="/topical/u/unity_among_believers.htm">Unity Among Believers</a> The conflict between the tribes underscores the importance of unity and reconciliation within the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 20</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_tribe_of_benjamin.htm">What is the Tribe of Benjamin?</a> <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> <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> <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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) To smite of the people, and kill.--Rather, to smite the wounded or beaten of the people. It means, apparently, that when some of the Israelites had been wounded with slings, the Benjamites began to rush on them, for the purpose of killing them, and they feigned flight along two highways, of which one led to Bethel, and the other to a place which, to distinguish it from Gibeah, seems to have been called "Gibeah in the field." In this feigned flight thirty Israelites were killed. "Gibeah in the field" seems to be Jeba, and the main road from Gibeah (Tuleil el F-l), at about a mile's distance from the hill, branches off into two, of which one leads to Beitin (Bethel), and the other to Jeba ("Gibeah in the field").The highways.--(Mesilloth.) Roads like the Roman viae regiae, regularly built.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 31. - The house of God. Here manifestly Bethel, as in the margin. Gibeah in the field. The A.V. is the natural rendering of the Hebrew words, which imply a Gibeah in the field different from Gibeah, as the Septuagint seems to have understood them (Γαβαὰ ἐν ἀγρῷ). It is a happy conjecture, borne out by the existing roads, that this Gibeah-in-the-field is the same as Gobs, now Jeba. Indeed it is almost impossible to conceive how the pursuers, coming out of Gibeah, could be described as coming to two highways, of which one led to Bethel and the other to the very place they had come from. The latest explorers of the district fully concur in this identification of Gibeah-in-the-field with Jeba. <a href="/commentaries/judges/20-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>The Benjamites בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son came out וַיֵּצְא֤וּ (way·yê·ṣə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim against לִקְרַ֣את (liq·raṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7125.htm">Strong's 7125: </a> Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way [them] הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock and were drawn away הָנְתְּק֖וּ (hā·nə·tə·qū) Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5423.htm">Strong's 5423: </a> To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off from מִן־ (min-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of the city. הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement They began וַיָּחֵ֡לּוּ (way·yā·ḥêl·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2490.htm">Strong's 2490: </a> To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play to attack לְהַכּוֹת֩ (lə·hak·kō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> To strike the people מֵהָעָ֨ם (mê·hā·‘ām) Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock as before, כְּפַ֣עַם ׀ (kə·p̄a·‘am) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6471.htm">Strong's 6471: </a> A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence killing חֲלָלִ֜ים (ḥă·lā·lîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> Pierced, polluted about thirty כִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים (kiš·lō·šîm) Preposition-k | Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7970.htm">Strong's 7970: </a> Thirty, thirtieth men אִ֖ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person of Israel בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (bə·yiś·rā·’êl) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc in the fields בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה (baś·śā·ḏeh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> Field, land and on the roads, בַּֽמְסִלּוֹת֙ (bam·sil·lō·wṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4546.htm">Strong's 4546: </a> A thoroughfare, a viaduct, a staircase one אַחַ֜ת (’a·ḥaṯ) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first of which אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that led up עֹלָ֣ה (‘ō·lāh) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively to בֵֽית־ (ḇêṯ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_0.htm">Strong's 0: </a> 0 Bethel אֵ֗ל (’êl) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1008.htm">Strong's 1008: </a> Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah and the other וְאַחַ֤ת (wə·’a·ḥaṯ) Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first to Gibeah. גִּבְעָ֙תָה֙ (giḇ·‘ā·ṯāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1390.htm">Strong's 1390: </a> Gibeah -- 'hill', three cities in Palestine <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/20-31.htm">OT History: Judges 20:31 The children of Benjamin went out against (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/20-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 20:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 20:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/20-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 20:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 20:32" /></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>