King James Version

What Does Judges 20:31 Mean?

Judges 20:31 in the King James Version says “And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of ... — study this verse from Judges chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. to smite: Heb. to smite of the people wounded as at, etc the house: or, Bethel

Judges 20:31 · KJV


Context

29

And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.

30

And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.

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. to smite: Heb. to smite of the people wounded as at, etc the house: or, Bethel

32

And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.

33

And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 31: And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and the... [The battle unfolds according to God's promised deliverance, with Israel's ambush strategy succeeding through divine blessing following proper consultation.]

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse describes tactical details of the third-day battle where Israel's ambush strategy, blessed by God after proper seeking (vv. 26-28), results in Benjamin's defeat.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you see God's hand in the tactical details of life after committing your way to Him?
  2. What role does strategy play when combined with divine blessing?
  3. How do preparation and prayer work together in achieving godly outcomes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיֵּֽצְא֤וּ1 of 26

went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בְנֵֽי2 of 26

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִנְיָמִן֙3 of 26

of Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

לִקְרַ֣את4 of 26

against

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

מֵֽהָעָ֨ם5 of 26

of the people

H5971

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

הָנְתְּק֖וּ6 of 26

and were drawn away

H5423

to tear off

מִן7 of 26
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעִ֑יר8 of 26

from the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וַיָּחֵ֡לּוּ9 of 26

and they began

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

לְהַכּוֹת֩10 of 26

to smite

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

מֵֽהָעָ֨ם11 of 26

of the people

H5971

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

חֲלָלִ֜ים12 of 26

and kill

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

בְּפַ֗עַם13 of 26

as at other times

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

בְּפַ֗עַם14 of 26

as at other times

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

בַּֽמְסִלּוֹת֙15 of 26

in the highways

H4546

a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase

אֲשֶׁ֨ר16 of 26
H834

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

וְאַחַ֤ת17 of 26

and the other

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

עֹלָ֣ה18 of 26

goeth up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בֵֽית19 of 26

to the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֵ֗ל20 of 26
H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

וְאַחַ֤ת21 of 26

and the other

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

גִּבְעָ֙תָה֙22 of 26

to Gibeah

H1390

gibah; the name of three places in palestine

בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה23 of 26

in the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

כִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים24 of 26

about thirty

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

אִ֖ישׁ25 of 26

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)

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃26 of 26

of Israel

H3478

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


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 20:31 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 20:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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