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 20:42KJV
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Judges 20:42 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“overtook” Hebrew H1692 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
  • Judges 20:45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.
  • Job 31:7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

“turned” Hebrew H6437 · used in 128 verses

  • Genesis 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
  • Judges 15:4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
  • Psalms 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

“destroyed” Hebrew H7843 · used in 136 verses

  • Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
  • 2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
  • Jeremiah 6:5 Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.