Judges 20:37 (KJV)

What does Judges 20:37 mean?

Judges 20:37 describes how the Israelite soldiers who had been hiding in ambush quickly moved out and attacked the city of Gibeah, striking down its inhabitants with their swords. The verse highlights the moment when the ambush was set into action and the city was overtaken by force.

In this part of the story, the Israelites are fighting against the tribe of Benjamin because of a terrible crime committed in Gibeah. The verse focuses on the tactical move: those lying in wait, previously hidden, now rush into the city and attack. This marks a turning point in the battle, showing the effectiveness of the ambush and the sudden destruction that followed.

The Hebrew behind Judges 20:37

• The word for "liers in wait" is אֹרֵב (’orev), which means those who are lying in ambush or hiding to attack. This word emphasizes the planned, hidden nature of the attack.
• "Hasted" comes from מָהַר (mahar), meaning to hurry or act quickly. The ambushers did not delay but acted decisively at the right moment.
• "Rushed" is from פָּרַץ (parats), meaning to burst out or break forth. This shows the sudden, forceful nature of their attack.
• "Smote... with the edge of the sword" uses פֶּה (peh, "edge") and חֶרֶב (cherev, "sword"), a Hebrew phrase often used to describe killing or destruction in battle, literally "struck with the mouth of the sword," meaning total defeat.

Why Judges 20:37 matters

• This verse clarifies how the Israelites used strategy, not just brute force, to overcome Gibeah, showing that planning and timing were crucial in this battle.
• The language highlights the suddenness and completeness of the attack, helping the reader understand the dramatic shift in the conflict.
• By focusing on the ambush, the verse connects to earlier verses where the Israelites set up this plan, showing the fulfillment of their strategy and the turning point in the war against Benjamin.