King James Version
What Does Judges 20:32 Mean?
“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.”
Judges 20:32 · KJV
Context
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.
34
And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryVerse 32: And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the childre... [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
- How do you see God's hand in the tactical details of life after committing your way to Him?
- What role does strategy play when combined with divine blessing?
- How do preparation and prayer work together in achieving godly outcomes?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 16 wordsוּבְנֵ֧י2 of 16
“And the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בִנְיָמִ֔ן3 of 16
“of Benjamin”
H1144binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
נִגָּפִ֥ים4 of 16
“They are smitten down”
H5062to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
לְפָנֵ֖ינוּ6 of 16
“before”
H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כְּבָרִֽאשֹׁנָ֑ה7 of 16
“us as at the first”
H7223first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
וּבְנֵ֧י8 of 16
“And the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל9 of 16
“of Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
נָנ֙וּסָה֙11 of 16
“Let us flee”
H5127to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
הָעִ֖יר14 of 16
“them from the city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַֽמְסִלּֽוֹת׃16 of 16
“unto the highways”
H4546a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase
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 20:32 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 20:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge