And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.

JUDGES 20:41KJV
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Judges 20:41 (KJV)

What does Judges 20:41 mean?

Judges 20:41 describes the moment when the men of Israel turned back in battle, causing the men of Benjamin to realize with shock that disaster had come upon them. The Benjaminites saw that they were surrounded and that the situation had turned against them.

This verse is part of a dramatic battle scene between the tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. The men of Israel had set an ambush, and when they turned back toward the fight, the Benjaminites were caught off guard and recognized their defeat was certain. The word "amazed" here means they were struck with sudden fear and realization, not just surprise.

The Hebrew behind Judges 20:41

  • "amazed" (נִבְהָלוּ, nivhalu): This word often means to be terrified or thrown into confusion, not just surprised. It highlights the panic and dread that overtook the Benjaminites when they saw their fate.
  • "evil" (רָעָה, ra‘ah): This word means harm, disaster, or calamity. The Benjaminites understood that real trouble—destruction or judgment—had come upon them, not just a setback.
  • "come" (נָגַע, naga‘): This verb means to touch or reach, so the sense is that disaster had now reached or overtaken the Benjaminites, making the threat immediate and unavoidable.

Why Judges 20:41 matters

  • This verse marks the turning point in the battle, showing the moment when the Benjaminites realized their defeat was inevitable.
  • The strong language for fear and disaster emphasizes how total and unexpected the reversal was for Benjamin, highlighting the seriousness of the conflict.
  • Understanding the original words clarifies that the Benjaminites felt more than surprise—they were overwhelmed by terror and the certainty of disaster, which sets the tone for the tragic outcome that follows.

Where else these words appear

“amazed” Hebrew H926 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 45:3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
  • Job 21:6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
  • Psalms 104:29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

“again” 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.

“come” 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.