And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

JUDGES 20:31KJV
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Judges 20:31 (KJV)

What does Judges 20:31 mean?

Judges 20:31 describes how the men of Benjamin left their city to fight against the other Israelites and managed to lure them away, just as they had done before. In the initial clash, the Benjaminites killed about thirty Israelite men on the roads leading either to the house of God or to Gibeah, making it seem like they were winning again.

This verse is set during a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the rest of Israel. The Benjaminites use a familiar tactic, drawing the Israelites into an ambush outside their city. The mention of specific roads—one going to the house of God and the other to Gibeah—shows the strategic locations where the fighting happened, emphasizing the calculated nature of Benjamin’s defense.

The Hebrew behind Judges 20:31

  • בְּנֵי (bənê, "children"): This word refers specifically to the descendants or members of Benjamin, highlighting the tribal identity at stake in the conflict.
  • נָשְׁאוּ (nāshə'u, "went out"): This verb shows the Benjaminites taking initiative, not just defending but actively engaging the Israelites outside their city.
  • נָגַף (nāgap̄, "smite"): This word means to strike or defeat, and here it emphasizes that the Benjaminites initially inflicted casualties, giving the impression of another victory.
  • בַּמְּסִלּוֹת (bamməsillōt, "in the highways"): This refers to main roads or thoroughfares, pointing to the ambush’s location and the movement of troops, which is key to understanding the military tactics at play.

Why Judges 20:31 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Benjaminites were not simply defending their city but were skilled enough to lure the Israelites into a trap, repeating a tactic that had worked before.
  • The detail about the highways and the specific routes helps readers visualize the battlefield and understand the strategic choices made by both sides.
  • By mentioning the initial success of Benjamin, the verse sets up the dramatic reversal that follows in the story, highlighting the tension and uncertainty of the conflict.

Where else these words appear

“away” Hebrew H5423 · used in 26 verses

  • Leviticus 22:24 Ye shall not offer unto the LORD that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither shall ye make any offering thereof in your land.
  • Job 18:14 His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
  • Jeremiah 5:5 I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.

“highways” Hebrew H4546 · used in 26 verses

  • Numbers 20:19 And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet.
  • 2 Kings 18:17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.
  • Isaiah 19:23 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.

“Gibeah” Hebrew H1390 · used in 43 verses

  • Joshua 15:57 Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:
  • Judges 20:21 And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.
  • 1 Samuel 15:34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

“God” Hebrew H1008 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 1:22 And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.
  • 2 Kings 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.