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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 20:32 "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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/20-32.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/07_Jdg_20_32.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 20:32 - Civil War Against Benjamin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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/20-32.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/20-32.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 32</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="/ad12.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/20-31.htm" title="Judges 20:31">◄</a> Judges 20:32 <a href="/judges/20-33.htm" title="Judges 20:33">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />While the Benjamites were saying, &#8220We are defeating them as before,&#8221 the Israelites were saying, &#8220Let&#8217s retreat and draw them away from the city to the roads.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the warriors of Benjamin shouted, “We’re defeating them as we did before!” But the Israelites had planned in advance to run away so that the men of Benjamin would chase them along the roads and be drawn away from the town.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people of Benjamin said, “They are routed before us, as at the first.” But the people of Israel said, “Let us flee and draw them away from the city to the highways.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin said, They <i>are</i> smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin said, “They <i>are</i> defeated before us, as at first.” But the children of Israel said, “Let us flee and draw them away from the city to the highways.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the sons of Benjamin said, “They are defeated before us, like the first time.” But the sons of Israel said, “Let’s flee, so that we may draw them away from the city to the roads.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The sons of Benjamin said, &#8220They are struck down before us, as at the first.&#8221 But the sons of Israel said, &#8220Let us flee that we may draw them away from the city to the highways.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the sons of Benjamin said, “They are struck down before us, as at the first.” But the sons of Israel said, “Let us flee that we may draw them away from the city to the highways.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The sons of Benjamin said, “They are defeated before us, as at the first.” But the sons of Israel said, “Let us flee that we may draw them away from the city to the highways.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the Benjamites said, “They are defeated before us, as at the first.” But the sons of Israel said, “Let us flee and lure them away from the city to the highways.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Benjaminites said, “We are defeating them as before.” But the Israelites said, “Let’s flee and draw them away from the city to the highways.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Benjaminites said, &#8220We are defeating them as before.&#8221 But the Israelites said, &#8220Let&#8217s flee and draw them away from the city to the highways.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them away from the city unto the highways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us rise, and draw them away from the city unto the highways.<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 Benjamin shouted, "They're defeated as before!" But the men of Israel had said, "Let's flee in order to lead them from the city to the roads."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Benjaminites said, "We've beaten them just as before." But the Israelites had planned to retreat and lead them away from the city onto the roads. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the descendants of Benjamin told themselves, "They're falling right in front of us, just like before!" But the army of Israel told themselves, "Let's draw them away by escaping to the highways from the city." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?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.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then the Benjaminites said, "They are defeated just as before." But the Israelites said, "Let's retreat and lure them away from the city into the main roads."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The people of Benjamin said, "They are defeated before us, as previously." But the children of Israel said, "Let us flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city to the highways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Benjamin said, “They are struck down before us, as at the first.” But the children of Israel said, “Let’s flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways.” <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 sons of Benjamin say, “They are struck before us as at the beginning”; but the sons of Israel said, “Let us flee, and draw them away out of the city, to the highways.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the sons of Benjamin say, 'They are smitten before us as at the beginning;' but the sons of Israel said, 'Let us flee, and draw them away out of the city, unto the highways.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the sons of Benjamin will say, They are smitten before us as at first. And the sons of Israel said, We will flee, and draw him away from the city to the highways.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For they thought to cut them off, as they did before. But they artfully feigning a flight, designed to draw them away from the city, and by their seeming to flee to bring them to the highways aforesaid. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For they thought that they were falling back as they had done before. But instead, skillfully feigning flight, they undertook a plan to draw them away from the city, and by seeming to flee, to lead them along the above stated paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The Benjaminites thought, “They are routed before us as previously.” The Israelites, however, were thinking, “We will flee and draw them out from the city onto the highways.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The Benjaminites thought, “They are being routed before us, as previously.” But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city toward the roads.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the Benjamites said, They are defeated before us, as at first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the sons of Benjamin said: “They are defeated from before us as at the first!” And the sons of Israel said: “Let us escape, and we will lead them out from the city to the streets!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the children of Benjamin said: 'They are smitten down before us, as at the first.' But the children of Israel said: 'Let us flee, and draw them away from the city unto the highways.'<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 Benjamin said, They fall before us as at the first: but the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them out from the city into the roads; and they did so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/20-32.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=6234" 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">31</span>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. <span class="reftext">32</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5062.htm" title="5062: nig·gā·p̄îm (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To strike, smite. A primitive root; to push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict.">“We are defeating them</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">as before,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nê·nū (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 1cp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7223.htm" title="7223: kə·ḇā·ri·šō·nāh (Prep-k, Prep-b, Art:: Adj-fs) -- Former, first, chief. Or riishon; from ri'shah; first, in place, time or rank."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·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/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇə·nê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">But the Israelites</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: nā·nū·sāh (V-Qal-Imperf.Cohort-1cp) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">“Let us retreat</a> <a href="/hebrew/5423.htm" title="5423: ū·nə·ṯaq·qə·nu·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cp:: 3ms) -- To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off. A primitive root; to tear off.">and draw them 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/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">onto</a> <a href="/hebrew/4546.htm" title="4546: ham·sil·lō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A highway. From calal; a thoroughfare, literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase.">the roads.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">33</span>So all the men of Israel got up from their places and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar, and the Israelites in ambush charged from their positions west of Gibeah.…<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/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5-7</a></span><br />Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them. / They will pursue us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, ‘The Israelites are running away from us as they did before.’ So as we flee from them, / you are to rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/2-18.htm">2 Samuel 2:18-23</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/13-13.htm">2 Chronicles 13:13-15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15-16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">1 Samuel 4:2-3</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/17-9.htm">2 Samuel 17:9-10</a></span><br />Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ / Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22-24</a></span><br />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. / “This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!” / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-20.htm">1 Samuel 14:20-23</a></span><br />Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor. / And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps to join the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. / When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined the battle in close pursuit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/10-9.htm">2 Samuel 10:9-14</a></span><br />When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. / “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-29.htm">1 Kings 20:29-30</a></span><br />For seven days the armies camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle ensued, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans—a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day. / The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-22.htm">2 Chronicles 20:22-24</a></span><br />The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. / When the men of Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the vast army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Luke 21:34-36</a></span><br />But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. / For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. / So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”<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="/matthew/24-43.htm">Matthew 24:43-44</a></span><br />But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-12.htm">1 Corinthians 10:12</a></span><br />So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city to the highways.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15,16</a></b></br> And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/judges/20-31.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/20-30.htm">Benjaminites</a> <a href="/judges/20-30.htm">Benjamites</a> <a href="/judges/20-31.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/20-31.htm">City</a> <a href="/genesis/14-17.htm">Defeating</a> <a href="/judges/20-24.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/judges/20-31.htm">Highways</a> <a href="/judges/20-31.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/20-27.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/judges/19-28.htm">Let's</a> <a href="/luke/9-10.htm">Retreat</a> <a href="/judges/8-12.htm">Routed</a> <a href="/judges/15-16.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/judges/18-27.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/judges/19-28.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/1-22.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Benjaminites</a> <a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Benjamites</a> <a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Children</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/20-39.htm">Defeating</a> <a href="/judges/20-35.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/judges/20-45.htm">Highways</a> <a href="/judges/20-33.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/20-35.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-10.htm">Let's</a> <a href="/job/41-25.htm">Retreat</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">Routed</a> <a href="/judges/20-36.htm">Smitten</a> <a href="/judges/20-35.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/judges/20-36.htm">Way</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>“We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites.</b><br>The Benjamites' confidence stems from previous victories over the Israelites, as seen in earlier battles (<a href="/judges/20-21.htm">Judges 20:21, 25</a>). This reflects a common biblical theme where initial success can lead to overconfidence, as seen with other groups in scripture (e.g., the Philistines in <a href="/1_samuel/4-2.htm">1 Samuel 4:2-10</a>). The Benjamites' statement reveals their reliance on past victories rather than seeking divine guidance, a recurring issue in Israel's history. This overconfidence can be compared to the pride that precedes a fall, as warned in <a href="/proverbs/16-18.htm">Proverbs 16:18</a>.<p><b>But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.”</b><br>The Israelites' strategy involves a tactical retreat, a common military maneuver designed to lure the enemy into a vulnerable position. This reflects a shift from their previous direct confrontations, indicating a more strategic approach. The city in question is Gibeah, the Benjamite stronghold, which holds significant geographical and historical importance. By drawing the Benjamites away from Gibeah, the Israelites aim to neutralize the advantage of the Benjamites' familiarity with their terrain. This tactic is reminiscent of other biblical strategies, such as Joshua's ambush at Ai (<a href="/joshua/8-3.htm">Joshua 8:3-8</a>). The roads symbolize a place of vulnerability and exposure, contrasting with the fortified city, and this plan demonstrates the Israelites' reliance on wisdom and planning, aligning with <a href="/proverbs/21-31.htm">Proverbs 21:31</a>, which emphasizes preparation alongside trust in the Lord.<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 conflict with 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 serves as the focal point of the battle.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_battle_strategy.htm">The Battle Strategy</a></b><br>The Israelites employ a strategic retreat to lure the Benjamites away from the safety of their city, indicating a tactical approach to warfare.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_civil_war.htm">The Civil War</a></b><br>This event is part of a larger account of civil war within Israel, highlighting the internal strife and moral decay present during the time of the Judges.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_overconfidence.htm">The Danger of Overconfidence</a></b><br>The Benjamites' assumption of victory based on past success serves as a caution against pride and overconfidence in our own abilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/strategic_wisdom_in_conflict.htm">Strategic Wisdom in Conflict</a></b><br>The Israelites' use of strategy rather than brute force highlights the importance of wisdom and discernment in overcoming challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The entire conflict stems from unaddressed sin, reminding us of the far-reaching consequences of moral failure and the importance of accountability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_and_division_among_believers.htm">Unity and Division Among Believers</a></b><br>The civil war among the tribes of Israel serves as a warning about the destructive potential of division within the body of believers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite the chaos and conflict, God's overarching plan and sovereignty are evident, encouraging trust in His ultimate control over our circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_exodus_34_14_with_polytheism.htm">(Exodus 34:14) How do we reconcile the commandment against worshiping other gods with archaeological finds suggesting Israel's early polytheistic practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_judges_20_35-46_consistent_with_unity.htm">Judges 20:35-46 - Is the near-total annihilation of an entire tribe by fellow Israelites consistent with the broader biblical message of unity among God's people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_26,000_benjamites_resist_israel.htm">Judges 20:15 - How could only 26,000 men from Benjamin withstand the combined forces of Israel for so long, given the massive numerical imbalance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_empower_ehud,_an_assassin.htm">Why does Judges 3:12-15 depict God empowering an assassin (Ehud) if murder is condemned elsewhere in scripture?</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>(32) <span class= "bld">Said, Let us flee</span>.--In a later historical style the <span class= "ital">plan </span>of the feigned flight would have been mentioned earlier.<p><span class= "bld">Unto the highways.</span>--This would have the double effect of allowing the ambuscade to cut off their retreat, and of dividing their forces at the point where the roads branched off.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 32.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the children of Benjamin</span>, etc. This verse is parenthetical, being explanatory of the conduct of both parties. The Benjamites pursued recklessly, because they thought the fight was going as on the two previous days; the Israelites fled in order to draw them to the highways, and so to enable the ambushment to get between the Benjamite army and the city. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/20-32.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">“We are defeating</span><br /><span class="heb">נִגָּפִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(nig·gā·p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5062.htm">Strong's 5062: </a> </span><span class="str2">To push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them as before,”</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Benjamites.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְנֵ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמְר֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Let us retreat</span><br /><span class="heb">נָנ֙וּסָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(nā·nū·sāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and draw them away</span><br /><span class="heb">וּֽנְתַקְּנֻ֔הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·nə·ṯaq·qə·nu·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5423.htm">Strong's 5423: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off</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">onto</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the roads.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמְסִלּֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·sil·lō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4546.htm">Strong's 4546: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thoroughfare, a viaduct, a staircase</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/20-32.htm">Judges 20:32 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/20-32.htm">Judges 20:32 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/20-32.htm">Judges 20:32 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/20-32.htm">Judges 20:32 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/20-32.htm">Judges 20:32 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/20-32.htm">Judges 20:32 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/20-32.htm">Judges 20:32 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/20-32.htm">Judges 20:32 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/20-32.htm">Judges 20:32 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/20-32.htm">Judges 20:32 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/20-32.htm">OT History: Judges 20:32 The children of Benjamin said They (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/20-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 20:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 20:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/20-33.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 20:33"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 20:33" /></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>