King James Version

What Does Judges 20:37 Mean?

Judges 20:37 in the King James Version says “And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the cit...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword. drew: or, made a long sound with the trumpet”

Judges 20:37 · KJV

Context

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.

36

So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.

37

And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword. drew: or, made a long sound with the trumpet

38

Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city. sign: or, time and: Heb. with flame: Heb. elevation

39

And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle. to smite: Heb. to smite the wounded

Read Judges 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verse 37 details the aftermath of Benjamin's defeat. And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the cit... The systematic destruction of Benjamin's territory represents the tragic outcome when civil war erupts among God's people—victory comes at devastating cost to the covenant community.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse describes the thorough nature of Benjamin's military defeat and the subsequent destruction of their tribal territory following the ambush strategy blessed by God after Israel's proper consultation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do victories that come after proper seeking of God still carry tragic costs?
  2. What does this reveal about the consequences of civil conflict among God's people?
  3. How can righteous judgments escalate beyond their proper scope?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
הָֽאֹרֵ֔ב1 of 13

“And the liers in wait”

H693

to lurk

הֵחִ֔ישׁוּ2 of 13

“hasted”

H2363

to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment

וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֖וּ3 of 13

“and rushed”

H6584

to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

אֶל4 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַגִּבְעָ֑ה5 of 13

“upon Gibeah”

H1390

gibah; the name of three places in palestine

וַיִּמְשֹׁךְ֙6 of 13

“drew themselves along”

H4900

to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

הָֽאֹרֵ֔ב7 of 13

“And the liers in wait”

H693

to lurk

וַיַּ֥ךְ8 of 13

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת9 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל10 of 13
H3605

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

הָעִ֖יר11 of 13

“all the city”

H5892

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

לְפִי12 of 13

“with the edge”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

חָֽרֶב׃13 of 13

“of the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

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 20:37 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 20:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 8:19Exodus 19:13Joshua 6:5

Places in This Verse

Gibeah 1Settlement · Modern: Tel el Ful · 31.82°N, 35.23°E45 verses across 6 books
View all places in Judges 20 →

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