Judges 20:29
Judges 20:29 in Multiple Translations
So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah.
And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.
And Israel set liers-in-wait against Gibeah round about.
So Israel put men secretly all round Gibeah to make a surprise attack on it.
Then the Israelites set up an ambush around Gibeah.
And Israel set men to lie in waite round about Gibeah.
And Israel setteth liers in wait against Gibeah, round about,
Israel set ambushes all around Gibeah.
And Israel set liers in wait around Gibeah.
And the children of Israel set ambushes round about the city of Gabaa:
So the next day, 10,000 of the Israeli men ◄set up ambushes/went to hide► in the fields around Gibeah.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 20:29
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 20:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּ֤שֶׂם
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
אֹֽרְבִ֔ים
אֶל
הַ/גִּבְעָ֖ה
סָבִֽיב
וַ/יָּ֤שֶׂם
sûwm
H7760
to set
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
אֹֽרְבִ֔ים
ʼârab
H693
to ambush
V-Qal
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הַ/גִּבְעָ֖ה
Gibʻâh
H1390
Gibeah
Art | N-proper
סָבִֽיב
çâbîyb
H5439
around
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 20:29
וַ/יָּ֤שֶׂם
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
אֹֽרְבִ֔ים
ʼârab
H693
"to ambush"
V-Qal
This verb means to lie in wait or ambush someone, often used to describe a surprise attack. It is used in the Bible to talk about people who are hiding and waiting to attack. The word can also mean to lay a trap for someone.
Definition: 1) to lie in wait, ambush, lurk 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie in wait 1a2) ambush (participle as subst) 1b) (Piel) ambushers, liers-in-wait (pl. participle) 1c) (Hiphil) to lay an ambush
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lie in) ambush(-ment), lay (lie in) wait. See also: Deuteronomy 19:11; Judges 20:38; Psalms 10:9.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הַ/גִּבְעָ֖ה
Gibʻâh
H1390
"Gibeah"
Art | N-proper
Gibeah was a city in Palestine, specifically in the region of Benjamin, and was the birthplace of King Saul. The name means hill, and it is mentioned in various KJV translations as Gibeah or the hill.
Definition: § Gibeah = "hill" a city of Benjamin, birthplace of king Saul
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: Gibeah, the hill. See also: Joshua 15:57; Judges 20:36; Isaiah 10:29.
סָבִֽיב
çâbîyb
H5439
"around"
N-cs
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
Study Notes — Judges 20:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 20:29 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 20:29
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 20:29
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 20:29
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 20:29
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 20:29
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 20:29
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 20:29
- Barnes' Notes on Judges 20:29
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 20:29
- Sermons on Judges 20:29
Context — Civil War against Benjamin
27And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there,
28and Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, served before it.) The Israelites asked, “Should we again go out to battle against our brothers the Benjamites, or should we stop?” The LORD answered, “Fight, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.”
29So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah.
30On the third day the Israelites went up against the Benjamites and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as they had done before. 31The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 8:4 | with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 5:23 | So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. |
| 3 | Judges 20:34 | Then 10,000 select men from all Israel made a frontal assault against Gibeah, and the battle was fierce. But the Benjamites did not realize that disaster was upon them. |
Judges 20:29 Summary
[In Judges 20:29, the Israelites set up an ambush around Gibeah, which was a city in the tribe of Benjamin, as part of their battle strategy against the Benjamites. This action was taken in faith and obedience to God's instruction, as seen in the previous verses. The Israelites had inquired of the Lord and received His guidance, which is an important principle for us to follow in our own lives, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. By seeking God's will and guidance, we can trust that He will direct our paths and give us wisdom for the challenges we face, as promised in Psalm 119:105.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of the Israelites inquiring of the Lord before setting up the ambush in Judges 20:29?
The Israelites inquired of the Lord to seek His guidance and approval before taking action, as seen in Judges 20:27-28, and this demonstrates their dependence on God's will, similar to what is taught in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Why did the Israelites set up an ambush around Gibeah?
The Israelites set up an ambush around Gibeah as a military strategy to defeat the Benjamites, as instructed by the Lord in Judges 20:28, and this tactic is also seen in other biblical accounts, such as Joshua 8:3-8.
How does this verse relate to the concept of trust in God's plan?
This verse shows that the Israelites trusted in God's plan, as they had inquired of Him and received His answer, and then took action accordingly, demonstrating faith and obedience, as encouraged in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.
What can we learn from the Israelites' actions in this verse about our own decision-making process?
We can learn the importance of seeking God's guidance and will in our decisions, as seen in Psalm 119:105 and Proverbs 16:9, and then taking action in faith and obedience, trusting that He will guide and direct us.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to seek God's guidance and approval before taking action?
- How can I apply the principle of trusting in God's plan, as seen in this verse, to my own life and circumstances?
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate faith and obedience, like the Israelites did, in my daily life and decisions?
- How can I balance the need for planning and strategy with the need to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 20:29
And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah. For though they were assured of success and victory, yet they thought proper to make use of means: and though their numbers were very great, they had
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 20:29
And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah. Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah. A plan was formed of taking that city by stratagem, similar to that employed in the capture of Ai.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 20:29
Though they were assured of the success by a particular and absolute promise, yet they do not neglect the use of means; as well knowing that the certainty of God’ s purposes or promises doth not excuse, but rather require man’ s diligent use of all fit means for the accomplishment of them. Round about Gibeah, i.e. on several sides of it, as may be gathered from the following verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 20:29
Judges 20:29 And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.Ver. 29. And Israel set liers in wait.] See the like strategem used at Ai.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 20:29
(29) Set liers in wait.—This exceedingly simple and primitive stratagem had also been successful against Ai (Joshua 8:4) and against Shechem (Judges 9:43). Here, as in Judges 20:22-23, the narrative follows a loose-order, the general fact being sometimes stated by anticipation, and the details subsequently filled in.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 20:29
Verse 29. Israel set liers in wait] Though God had promised them success, they knew they could expect it only in the use of the proper means. They used all prudent precaution, and employed all their military skill.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 20:29
29. From the narrative A, which describes, not the two battles and Jehovah’s direct interference (Judges 20:23; Judges 20:28; Judges 20:35), but the stratagem by which the Israelites captured the city; cf. Joshua 8:4-8 JE. This v. continues Judges 20:19. liers in wait] Plural, while Judges 20:33; Judges 20:36-38 use the sing. collect., the ambush. The plural may refer to the various parties posted round about the city.
Barnes' Notes on Judges 20:29
The stratagem described is exactly that by which Joshua took Ai (marginal reference).
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 20:29
29. Liers in wait — Armed warriors in ambush. They probably went out under cover of the night, and concealed themselves in the meadows around Gibeah. Judges 20:33.
Sermons on Judges 20:29
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Grace Baptist) Wait on the Lord by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of David and his battle with the Philistines. Instead of repeating the same strategy as before, God instructs David to stand by the |