And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.

JUDGES 20:34KJV
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Judges 20:34 (KJV)

What does Judges 20:34 mean?

Judges 20:34 describes how ten thousand specially chosen Israelite men attacked the city of Gibeah, and the fighting was fierce, but the people of Gibeah did not realize that disaster was about to strike them. The verse highlights the surprise and intensity of the battle as well as the unawareness of those inside Gibeah about the danger they faced.

This verse is part of the story where the tribes of Israel unite to fight against the tribe of Benjamin because of a terrible crime committed in Gibeah. The narrator explains that the Israelites launched a strong assault with a select force, catching the defenders off guard. The focus is on the suddenness of the attack and the fact that the people of Gibeah were unaware that their situation was about to become dire.

The Hebrew behind Judges 20:34

  • "sore" (כָּבֵד, kaved): This word is often understood as "heavy" or "severe." In this verse, it emphasizes that the battle was not just fierce but overwhelming and intense, showing the seriousness of the conflict.
  • "evil" (רָעָה, ra'ah): Here, "evil" refers to disaster or calamity rather than moral wrongdoing. The people of Gibeah did not know that misfortune was about to befall them, highlighting their lack of awareness.
  • "near" (נָגַע, naga‘): This word means "to touch" or "to come close." The verse uses it to show that disaster was right at their doorstep, even though the people inside Gibeah did not realize it.

Why Judges 20:34 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the people of Gibeah were completely unaware of the impending disaster, which adds to the sense of tragedy and surprise in the story.
  • The focus on "chosen men" and the intensity of the battle shows the seriousness with which Israel approached this conflict, underlining the gravity of the situation.
  • This moment connects to the broader narrative of Judges 20, where the unity and determination of the Israelite tribes are contrasted with the unpreparedness and vulnerability of Gibeah.

Where else these words appear

“against” Hebrew H5048 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • 1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
  • Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

“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.

“sore” Hebrew H3513 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
  • 2 Samuel 10:3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
  • Proverbs 12:9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

“near” Hebrew H5060 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
  • Numbers 19:18 And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
  • Psalms 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.