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 20:31KJVWhat 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.