And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
JUDGES 20:39KJVWhat does Judges 20:39 mean?
Judges 20:39 describes a moment in battle when the men of Israel pretended to retreat, causing the tribe of Benjamin to believe they were winning and to pursue and kill about thirty Israelites. The Benjaminites thought they were defeating Israel as they had in a previous fight, not realizing it was a trap.
This verse is part of the story of a civil war between the Israelites and the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites set an ambush, and their apparent retreat was a planned tactic to lure Benjamin out. The Benjaminites’ confidence grew when they saw Israelites falling, but they did not realize the situation was about to turn against them.
The Hebrew behind Judges 20:39
- The word "retired" comes from הָפַךְ (haphak), which means "to turn" or "to turn back." Here, it suggests a strategic withdrawal rather than a full retreat, highlighting the deceptive tactic used by Israel.
- "Smite" is נָכָה (nakah), meaning "to strike" or "to hit." This word often implies a decisive or deadly blow, showing that Benjamin was actively attacking and killing Israelites during the pursuit.
- The phrase "Surely they are smitten down before us" uses נָגַף (nagaph), which means "to be struck down" or "defeated." This reflects Benjamin’s confidence that Israel was losing, just as in the earlier battle.
Why Judges 20:39 matters
- This verse shows the use of military strategy and deception in ancient Israelite warfare, rather than just brute force.
- It highlights Benjamin’s overconfidence, which plays a key role in the unfolding of the battle and their eventual defeat.
- Understanding this moment helps clarify the turning point in the conflict, as the Israelites’ apparent retreat sets the stage for the ambush that follows in the next verses.