And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

JUDGES 11:33KJV
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Judges 11:33 (KJV)

What does Judges 11:33 mean?

Judges 11:33 describes how Jephthah, leading the Israelites, defeated the Ammonites by striking them from Aroer to Minnith, capturing twenty cities, and causing a very great slaughter, so that the Ammonites were subdued before Israel. This verse highlights the completeness of Israel’s victory and the significant defeat of their enemies.

In this part of the story, Jephthah is acting as Israel’s judge and military leader during a time of conflict with the Ammonites. The verse lists specific places and numbers to show the scale of the victory, emphasizing that the Israelites not only won but thoroughly overcame the Ammonite threat. The language underlines both the military success and the resulting peace for Israel.

The Hebrew behind Judges 11:33

  • "smote" (נָכָה, nākhāh) means to strike or defeat decisively. The word stresses that Jephthah’s action was forceful and resulted in clear victory.
  • "plain" (עֵמֶק, ʿēmeq) refers to a valley or lowland area. Mentioning the plain of the vineyards (כֶּרֶם, kerem) gives a sense of the territory covered and the agricultural richness of the land taken.
  • "subdued" (כָּנַע, kānaʿ) means to bring into subjection or humble. This word shows that the Ammonites were not just beaten in battle but brought under Israel’s control, ending their threat for the time being.

Why Judges 11:33 matters

  • The verse clarifies the scale of Jephthah’s victory, showing it was not a small skirmish but a sweeping defeat across many cities and regions.
  • By naming places and numbers, the verse connects the story to real geography and history, grounding the account in specific details rather than general claims.
  • This victory sets up the next events in Judges, including the aftermath of Jephthah’s vow, and shows how God delivered Israel through their chosen leader.

Where else these words appear

“Minnith” Hebrew H4511 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 27:17 Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.

“Aroer” Hebrew H6177 · used in 16 verses

  • Numbers 32:34 And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
  • Joshua 13:9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon;
  • 2 Samuel 24:5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:

“subdued” Hebrew H3665 · used in 32 verses

  • Leviticus 26:41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
  • 1 Chronicles 18:1 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

“slaughter” Hebrew H4347 · used in 46 verses

  • Leviticus 26:21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
  • 1 Samuel 23:5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
  • Isaiah 27:7 Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?