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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 20:40 But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/20-40.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/07_Jdg_20_40.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 20:40 - Civil War Against Benjamin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke." /><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'; 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and behold, the entire city was going up <i>in smoke</i> to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But when the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, Benjamin looked behind them; and behold, the whole city was going up in smoke to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But when the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, Benjamin looked behind them; and behold, the whole city was going up <i>in smoke</i> to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, and Benjamin turned behind them; and behold, the whole city was going up <i>in smoke</i> to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But when the [signal] cloud began to rise out of the city in a column of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and behold, the entire city went up <i>in smoke</i> to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, Benjamin looked behind them, and the whole city was going up in smoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, Benjamin looked behind them, and the whole city was going up in smoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and, behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But when the column of smoke started to rise from the city, the men of Benjamin turned around and saw the whole city going up in smoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the signal appeared; a cloud of smoke began to go up from the town. The Benjaminites looked behind them and were amazed to see the whole city going up in flames. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But then the smoke began to rise from the city in a column. The army of Benjamin observed behind them that the whole city was going up in flames straight into the sky! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But when the signal, a pillar of smoke, began to rise up from the city, the Benjaminites turned around and saw the whole city going up in a cloud of smoke that rose high into the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and look, the whole city went up in smoke into the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But when the flame began to rise from the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjaminites looked behind them, and behold, the flame of the city ascended to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and behold, the whole city went up in smoke to the sky. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />but the volume has begun to go up from the city—a pillar of smoke—and Benjamin turns behind, and behold, the perfection of the city has gone up toward the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the volume hath begun to go up from the city -- a pillar of smoke -- and Benjamin turneth behind, and lo, gone up hath the perfection of the city toward the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the ascending began to go up from the city of the pillar of smoke, and Benjamin will turn behind, and behold, the whole city ascended up to the heavens.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And perceived as it were a pillar of smoke rise up from the city; and Benjamin looking back, saw that the city was taken, and that the flames ascended on high: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they saw something like a pillar of smoke ascending from the city. Likewise, Benjamin, looking back, discerned that the city was captured, for the flames were being carried on high.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But when the signal, the column of smoke, began to rise up from the city, Benjamin looked back and there was the whole city going up in smoke toward heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But when the cloud, a column of smoke, began to rise out of the city, the Benjaminites looked behind them—and there was the whole city going up in smoke toward the sky!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But when the smoke began to rise out of the city like a pillar, the Benjamites looked behind them, and. behold, the flames of the city ascended up to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And smoke began to go up from the city like a pillar, and the sons of Benjamin turned their back, and behold, dense smoke of the city went up unto Heaven<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But when the beacon began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the signal went up increasingly over the city as a pillar of smoke; and Benjamin looked behind him, and behold the destruction of the city went up to heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/20-40.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=6324" 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">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.” <span class="reftext">40</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4864.htm" title="4864: wə·ham·maś·’êṯ (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- An uprising, utterance, burden, portion. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5982.htm" title="5982: ‘am·mūḏ (N-msc) -- A pillar, column. Or ammud; from amad; a column; also a stand, i.e. Platform.">But when the column</a> <a href="/hebrew/6227.htm" title="6227: ‘ā·šān (N-ms) -- Smoke. From ashan; smoke, literally or figuratively.">of smoke</a> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: hê·ḥêl·lāh (V-Hifil-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play.">began</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: la·‘ă·lō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">to go up</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/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/6437.htm" title="6437: way·yi·p̄en (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To turn. A primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. Appear, look, etc.">looked</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">behind them</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">and saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/3632.htm" title="3632: ḵə·lîl- (N-msc) -- Entire, whole, a holocaust. From kalal; complete; as noun, the whole; as adverb, fully.">the whole</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.">city</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ā·lāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">going up</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·mā·yə·māh (Art:: N-mp:: 3fs) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">in smoke.</a> </span><span class="reftext">41</span>Then the men of Israel turned back on them, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had come upon them.…<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="/genesis/19-28.htm">Genesis 19:28</a></span><br />He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain, and he saw the smoke rising from the land like smoke from a furnace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20</a></span><br />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="/isaiah/34-10.htm">Isaiah 34:10</a></span><br />It will not be quenched—day or night. Its smoke will ascend forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever again pass through it.<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="/amos/4-11.htm">Amos 4:11</a></span><br />“Some of you I overthrew as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand snatched from a blaze, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-9.htm">Revelation 18:9</a></span><br />Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-18.htm">Revelation 18:18</a></span><br />and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-10.htm">2 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-15.htm">Matthew 24:15-18</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. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-29.htm">Luke 17:29-30</a></span><br />But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. / It will be just like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a></span><br />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.<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/51-58.htm">Jeremiah 51:58</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.”<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="/zephaniah/1-18.htm">Zephaniah 1:18</a></span><br />Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.</p><p class="hdg">a pillar</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-28.htm">Genesis 19:28</a></b></br> And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/3-6.htm">Song of Solomon 3:6</a></b></br> Who <i>is</i> this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joel/2-30.htm">Joel 2:30</a></b></br> And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20</a></b></br> And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/18-9.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/judges/13-20.htm">Ascended</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">Beacon</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Begun</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/20-36.htm">Benjaminites</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Benjamites</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-18.htm">Column</a> <a href="/judges/13-20.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">Pillar</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">Signal</a> <a href="/judges/13-20.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/judges/19-26.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">Volume</a> <a href="/judges/19-2.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/9-3.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/21-4.htm">Ascended</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Beacon</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">Begun</a> <a href="/judges/20-41.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/20-43.htm">Benjaminites</a> <a href="/judges/20-43.htm">Benjamites</a> <a href="/judges/20-42.htm">City</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-10.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-2.htm">Column</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-10.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-5.htm">Pillar</a> <a href="/judges/21-4.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-34.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-26.htm">Signal</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-10.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-15.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/judges/20-41.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/judges/20-42.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/23-29.htm">Volume</a> <a href="/judges/20-44.htm">Whole</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>But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city</b><br>This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the battle between the Israelites and the Benjamites. The column of smoke served as a prearranged signal for the Israelite forces. In ancient warfare, such signals were crucial for coordinating attacks, especially in the absence of modern communication methods. The use of smoke as a signal is also seen in other biblical contexts, such as the pillar of cloud that guided the Israelites in the wilderness (<a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">Exodus 13:21</a>). This imagery of smoke rising can symbolize divine intervention or judgment, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (<a href="/genesis/19-28.htm">Genesis 19:28</a>).<p><b>the Benjamites looked behind them</b><br>The Benjamites, engaged in battle, were caught off guard by the sudden realization of their city's destruction. This moment of looking back is reminiscent of Lot's wife looking back at Sodom (<a href="/genesis/19-26.htm">Genesis 19:26</a>), symbolizing a moment of realization and impending doom. The Benjamites' focus on the battlefront left them vulnerable to the strategic maneuver of the Israelites, highlighting the importance of vigilance and awareness in spiritual warfare.<p><b>and saw the whole city going up in smoke</b><br>The complete destruction of the city signifies total defeat and judgment. In the context of Judges, this event is a consequence of the moral and social decay within the tribe of Benjamin, particularly the atrocity committed in Gibeah (Judges 19). The imagery of a city going up in smoke is a powerful representation of divine judgment, similar to the destruction of Jericho (<a href="/joshua/6-24.htm">Joshua 6:24</a>) and the prophesied fall of Babylon (<a href="/revelation/18-9.htm">Revelation 18:9</a>). This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the justice of God. The destruction also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and purification that will come through Christ, who will establish a new and holy city (<a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2</a>).<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, known for their skilled warriors. 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 Benjamites for their refusal to surrender 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 initial crime that sparked the conflict took place. It becomes the focal point of the battle and the site of the smoke signal.<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 rest of Israel, resulting from the moral outrage over the events in Gibeah.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_column_of_smoke.htm">The Column of Smoke</a></b><br>A prearranged signal indicating the successful attack on Gibeah, leading to the turning point in the battle.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The destruction of Gibeah serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences that sin can bring upon a community. It underscores the importance of addressing sin and seeking repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_righteous_judgment.htm">Unity in Righteous Judgment</a></b><br>The collective action of the Israelite tribes demonstrates the necessity of unity when confronting evil. It highlights the role of the community in upholding justice and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_justice.htm">Divine Justice</a></b><br>The turning point in the battle, marked by the smoke signal, illustrates God's sovereignty and justice. It reassures believers that God is in control and will ultimately bring about justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_symbolism.htm">The Power of Symbolism</a></b><br>The column of smoke is a powerful symbol of both victory and destruction. It serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and strategic planning in achieving God's purposes.<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/jacob's_blessings_for_his_sons.htm">What are Jacob's prophetic blessings for his sons?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_tribe_of_benjamin.htm">What is the Tribe of Benjamin?</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/how_does_god's_goodness_prompt_repentance.htm">Did God command killings in the Old Testament?</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>(40) <span class= "bld">When the flame began to arise up.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">when the column </span>(of smoke), as in <a href="/judges/20-38.htm" title="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.">Judges 20:38</a>.<p><span class= "bld">The flame of the city.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">the whole of the city</span>--i.e., the universal conflagration--a very powerful expression. (LXX., <span class= "greekheb">????????? ??? ??????</span>.)<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/20-40.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">But when the column</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמּ֣וּד</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mūḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5982.htm">Strong's 5982: </a> </span><span class="str2">A column, a stand, platform</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of smoke</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשָׁ֑ן</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·šān)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">began</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵחֵ֛לָּה</span> <span class="translit">(hê·ḥêl·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2490.htm">Strong's 2490: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to go up</span><br /><span class="heb">לַעֲל֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(la·‘ă·lō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<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">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">הָעִ֖יר</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 /><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">looked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּ֤פֶן</span> <span class="translit">(way·yi·p̄en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6437.htm">Strong's 6437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn, to face, appear, look</span><br /><br /><span class="word">behind them</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and saw</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִנֵּ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the whole</span><br /><span class="heb">כְלִיל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḵə·lîl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3632.htm">Strong's 3632: </a> </span><span class="str2">Complete, the whole, as, fully</span><br /><br /><span class="word">city</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִ֖יר</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 /><br /><span class="word">going up</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<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">in smoke.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁמָֽיְמָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·mā·yə·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/20-40.htm">Judges 20:40 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/20-40.htm">Judges 20:40 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/20-40.htm">Judges 20:40 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/20-40.htm">Judges 20:40 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/20-40.htm">Judges 20:40 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/20-40.htm">Judges 20:40 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/20-40.htm">Judges 20:40 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/20-40.htm">Judges 20:40 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/20-40.htm">Judges 20:40 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/20-40.htm">Judges 20:40 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/20-40.htm">OT History: Judges 20:40 But when the cloud began to arise (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/20-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 20:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 20:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/20-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 20:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 20:41" /></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>