Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
JUDGES 20:42KJVWhat does Judges 20:42 mean?
Judges 20:42 describes how the men of the tribe of Benjamin tried to escape from the Israelite army by fleeing toward the wilderness, but the Israelites caught up with them and destroyed those who came out of the nearby cities in the middle of their retreat. The verse shows the thoroughness of the Israelite pursuit and the desperation of Benjamin’s forces as they were overtaken and defeated.
This verse is part of a larger story where the tribes of Israel are fighting against the tribe of Benjamin because of a terrible crime committed in Gibeah. The narrative here focuses on the turning point in the battle, as Benjamin’s men are overwhelmed and their attempts to escape are blocked by the Israelites, who also deal with reinforcements or residents coming from the cities.
The Hebrew behind Judges 20:42
- "turned" (פָּנָה, panah): This word means to turn or face away, emphasizing the Benjaminites’ retreat and loss of position in the battle.
- "overtook" (דָּבַק, davaq): This word often means to cling or catch up, highlighting that the Israelites did not just chase but actually caught up and pressed hard against the fleeing Benjaminites.
- "destroyed" (שָׁחַת, shachat): This word means to ruin or destroy, showing the completeness of the Israelites’ actions against those coming out of the cities.
- "midst" (תָּוֶךְ, tavek): This word means the middle or center, indicating that the destruction happened right among the fleeing Benjaminites, not just at the edges.
Why Judges 20:42 matters
- This verse clears up that the defeat of Benjamin was not just on the battlefield but also included those who tried to escape and even those coming from the cities, showing the scale of the conflict.
- It emphasizes the determination and thoroughness of the Israelite forces in pursuing justice as they saw it, not allowing any escape or regrouping.
- The verse connects to the wider passage by marking the moment when Benjamin’s resistance collapses, setting up the tragic aftermath that follows in the rest of the chapter.