Judges 20:22 (KJV)

What does Judges 20:22 mean?

Judges 20:22 describes how the men of Israel, after suffering a defeat, regained their courage and prepared themselves to fight again, arranging their forces in the same place as before. The verse shows the Israelites’ determination to continue the battle despite their earlier setback.

The setting is a civil conflict between the tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. After losing the first day’s fight, the Israelite soldiers “encouraged themselves” and re-formed their battle lines. This verse highlights their resilience and willingness to persist in a difficult and painful situation.

The Hebrew behind Judges 20:22

• “Encouraged” (חָזַק, ḥāzaq): This word often means to strengthen or make oneself strong. Here, it suggests the Israelites actively gathered their resolve and did not give in to discouragement after their loss.
• “Set...in array” (עָרַךְ, ʿāraḵ): This word means to arrange or organize, especially for battle. The repetition in the verse emphasizes that the Israelites carefully re-formed their lines just as they had before, showing deliberate preparation rather than a hasty reaction.

Why Judges 20:22 matters

• This verse clears up the idea that the Israelites gave up after defeat; instead, it shows their determination to keep fighting even after a loss.
• The emphasis on arranging themselves “in the place where they put themselves in array the first day” connects the ongoing battle to the earlier events, showing a cycle of persistence and repeated effort.
• Understanding the original Hebrew words helps highlight the active effort and intentionality behind the Israelites’ actions, not just a passive return to battle.