What is the context of Judges 20:32?

Judges 20:32 is part of Judges chapter 20, which contains 48 verses. This verse has 1 cross-references to other scriptures, showing its connections throughout the Bible.

King James Version

What Does Judges 20:32 Mean?

Q: What does Judges 20:32 mean?

Judges 20:32 says: "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 ..." Verse 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.]

Judges 20:32 in the King James Version says “And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Le...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary

Verse 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 words

אָֽמְר֗וּ1 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וּבְנֵ֧י2 of 16

“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

בִנְיָמִ֔ן3 of 16

“of Benjamin”

H1144

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

נִגָּפִ֥ים4 of 16

“They are smitten down”

H5062

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

הֵ֛ם5 of 16

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

לְפָנֵ֖ינוּ6 of 16

“before”

H6440

the 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”

H7223

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

וּבְנֵ֧י8 of 16

“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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל9 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

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

אָֽמְר֗וּ10 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נָנ֙וּסָה֙11 of 16

“Let us flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

וּֽנְתַקְּנ֔וּהוּ12 of 16

“and draw”

H5423

to tear off

מִן13 of 16

H4480

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

הָעִ֖יר14 of 16

“them 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)

אֶל15 of 16

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַֽמְסִלּֽוֹת׃16 of 16

“unto the highways”

H4546

a 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

Joshua 8:15-16

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