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 20:39KJV
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Judges 20:39 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“Surely” 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;

“kill” Hebrew H2491 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 1 Chronicles 10:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
  • Ezekiel 11:6 Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.

“retired” Hebrew H2015 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 2 Kings 5:26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
  • Psalms 114:8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

“began” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:31 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.
  • Jeremiah 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.