Judges 20:21 (KJV)

What does Judges 20:21 mean?

Judges 20:21 describes how the men of the tribe of Benjamin came out from their city, Gibeah, and defeated the Israelites in battle, killing twenty-two thousand of them in a single day. This verse highlights a significant and surprising loss for the Israelite forces during a civil conflict.

The setting is a civil war within Israel, where the other tribes have gathered to fight against Benjamin because of a terrible crime committed in Gibeah. The verse reports the outcome of the first battle, showing that Benjamin, though outnumbered, inflicted a heavy defeat on the Israelites. The narrative emphasizes the seriousness of the conflict and the unexpected strength of Benjamin’s defense.

The Hebrew behind Judges 20:21

• "Destroyed down" (שָׁחַת, shāchat): This word often means to ruin or destroy completely, not just to defeat. It suggests that the Israelites suffered a devastating loss, not just a setback.
• "Ground" (אֶרֶץ, ’erets): While often translated as "land" or "earth," here it emphasizes that the Israelites were struck down to the ground, underlining the totality of their defeat.
• "Men" (אִישׁ, ’ish): This word refers specifically to adult males, making clear that the casualties were fighting men, not noncombatants.

Why Judges 20:21 matters

• This verse corrects the assumption that the larger group (the Israelites) would automatically win; it shows that numbers do not guarantee victory.
• It sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where the Israelites must reconsider their approach and seek guidance after such a heavy loss.
• The verse highlights the seriousness of internal conflict among the tribes of Israel, showing how deeply divided and vulnerable the nation was at this time.