King James Version

What Does Judges 20:33 Mean?

Judges 20:33 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 20:33 · KJV

Context

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.

35

And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword.

Read Judges 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 33: And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and... [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 · 14 words
וְכֹ֣ל׀1 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אִ֣ישׁ2 of 14

“And all 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)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל3 of 14

“of Israel”

H3478

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

קָ֚מוּ4 of 14

“rose up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

מִמְּקֹמ֖וֹ5 of 14

“out of their 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)

וַיַּֽעַרְכ֖וּ6 of 14

“and put themselves in array”

H6186

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

בְּבַ֣עַל7 of 14
H0
תָּמָ֑ר8 of 14

“at Baaltamar”

H1193

baal-tamar, a place in palestine

וְאֹרֵ֧ב9 of 14

“and the liers in wait”

H693

to lurk

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל10 of 14

“of Israel”

H3478

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

מֵגִ֥יחַ11 of 14

“came forth”

H1518

to gush forth (as water), generally to issue

מִמְּקֹמ֖וֹ12 of 14

“out of their 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)

מִמַּֽעֲרֵה13 of 14

“even out of the meadows”

H4629

an empty place, i.e., a common

גָֽבַע׃14 of 14
H1390

gibah; the name of three places in palestine

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 20:33 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 20:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 8:18-22

Places in This Verse

Baal-tamarSettlement · Modern: Ras et Tawil · 31.83°N, 35.24°E1 verse across 1 book
Maareh-gebaNatural Area · Modern: Tel el Ful · 31.82°N, 35.23°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Judges 20 →

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