So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.

JUDGES 20:36KJV
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Judges 20:36 (KJV)

What does Judges 20:36 mean?

Judges 20:36 describes how the tribe of Benjamin realized they were being defeated in battle because the men of Israel had drawn them away from the city, relying on an ambush they had set near Gibeah. The verse highlights that Israel’s strategy depended on trusting the hidden soldiers lying in wait to turn the tide of the fight.

This verse comes during a civil war between the rest of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, following a series of violent events in Gibeah. The men of Israel are not speaking directly here; the verse is a narrative explanation of the battle’s turning point. The Israelites pretended to retreat, luring the Benjamites out, while their hidden forces prepared to attack the city from another direction.

The Hebrew behind Judges 20:36

  • "Children" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word refers to the descendants or people of Benjamin, emphasizing their identity as a tribe within Israel.
  • "Smitten" (נָגַף, nāgaph): This word means struck down or defeated, making it clear that Benjamin recognized their loss was decisive.
  • "Trusted" (בָּטַח, bāṭaḥ): This word means to rely on or have confidence in. The men of Israel’s confidence in their ambush was central to their strategy.
  • "Wait" (אֹרֵב, ōrēv): This word refers to those lying in ambush, highlighting the planned and hidden nature of Israel’s tactics.

Why Judges 20:36 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s victory was not just by force but by careful planning and trust in their strategy, especially the ambush.
  • It marks the moment the Benjamites realized their defeat, which is a turning point in the battle and the narrative.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing how the conflict escalated and how both sides used tactics beyond open combat, giving insight into the seriousness and complexity of the civil war.

Where else these words appear

“Benjamites” Hebrew H1145 · used in 18 verses

  • Judges 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.
  • 1 Samuel 9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
  • 2 Samuel 19:17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.

“wait” Hebrew H693 · used in 40 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:11 But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:
  • Judges 16:9 Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs, as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So his strength was not known.
  • Psalms 10:9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

“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.

“smitten” Hebrew H5062 · used in 46 verses

  • Exodus 8:2 And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
  • 1 Samuel 4:2 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:24 And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;