King James Version

What Does Judges 20:22 Mean?

Judges 20:22 in the King James Version says “And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.”

Judges 20:22 · KJV

Context

20

And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.

21

And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.

22

And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.

23

(And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)

24

And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The people the men of Israel encouraged themselves (וַיִּתְחַזֵּק הָעָם אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayithchazeq ha'am ish yisra'el)—'encouraged' (חָזַק, chazaq) means to strengthen, bolster courage. Set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day—they return to the same position and strategy that failed, merely strengthening their resolve.

This verse reveals dangerous self-reliance: they 'encourage themselves' rather than seeking God for analysis of their failure. Their response to defeat is to try harder with the same approach, returning to identical strategy and location. This demonstrates the human tendency to respond to failure with increased effort rather than repentance. Instead of asking 'Why did we fail?' and seeking God's correction, they assume the plan was right but execution was weak. Determination without discernment, courage without correction, persistence without repentance—these lead to repeated defeat.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Rallying troops after devastating defeat required strong leadership. Ancient armies could disintegrate after heavy casualties as men deserted. Israel's ability to regroup shows their organizational strength and commitment to covenant justice. However, their unchanged strategy demonstrates military stubbornness that would cost another 18,000 lives (v. 25).

Reflection Questions

  1. When do you respond to failure with 'try harder' rather than seeking God's correction of your approach?
  2. How does self-encouragement sometimes prevent the repentance God desires?
  3. What distinguishes godly persistence from stubborn repetition of failed strategies?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיִּתְחַזֵּ֥ק1 of 13

“encouraged”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

הָעָ֖ם2 of 13

“And the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אִ֣ישׁ3 of 13

“the men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל4 of 13

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיֹּסִ֙פוּ֙5 of 13

“again”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

עָ֥רְכוּ6 of 13

“in array”

H6186

to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)

מִלְחָמָ֔ה7 of 13

“themselves and set their battle”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

בַּמָּק֕וֹם8 of 13

“in the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁר9 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָ֥רְכוּ10 of 13

“in array”

H6186

to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)

שָׁ֖ם11 of 13
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

בַּיּ֥וֹם12 of 13

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הָֽרִאשֽׁוֹן׃13 of 13

“the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 20:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 20:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 11:25Psalms 64:5Judges 20:151 Samuel 30:6Judges 20:17

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