Judges 20:32

Judges 20:32 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.”

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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 away from the city unto the highways.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the children of Benjamin said, They are giving way before us as at first. But the children of Israel said, Let us go in flight and get them away from the town, into the highways.

Free Bible Version FBV

“We're defeating them, just like before,” the Benjamites shouted. But the Israelites said, “Let's run away from them and lure them away from the town towards the roads.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

(For the children of Beniamin sayd, They are fallen before vs, as at the first. But the children of Israel saide, Let vs flee and plucke them away from the citie vnto the hie wayes)

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the sons of Benjamin say, 'They are smitten before us as at the beginning;' but the sons of Israel said, 'Let us flee, and draw them away out of the city, unto the highways.'

World English Bible WEB

The children of Benjamin said, “They are struck down before us, as at the first.” But the children of Israel said, “Let’s flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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 to the highways.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

For they thought to cut them off, as they did before. But they artfully feigning a flight, designed to draw them away from the city, and by their seeming to flee to bring them to the highways aforesaid.

Translation for Translators T4T

The men of the tribe of Benjamin said, “We are defeating them like we did before!” But then Israeli men did what they had planned. The main group of Israeli men retreated a short distance from the city, to trick the men of Gibeah and cause them to pursue the Israeli men along the roads outside the city.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 20:32

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 20:32 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֔ן נִגָּפִ֥ים הֵ֛ם לְ/פָנֵ֖י/נוּ כְּ/בָ/רִאשֹׁנָ֑ה וּ/בְנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל אָמְר֗וּ נָנ֨וּסָה֙ וּֽ/נְתַקְּנֻ֔/הוּ מִן הָ/עִ֖יר אֶל הַֽ/מְסִלּֽוֹת

וַ/יֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 son N-mp

בִנְיָמִ֔ן Binyâmîyn H1144 Benjamin N-proper

נִגָּפִ֥ים nâgaph H5062 to strike V-Niphal

הֵ֛ם hêm H1992 they(masc.) Pron

לְ/פָנֵ֖י/נוּ pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff

כְּ/בָ/רִאשֹׁנָ֑ה riʼshôwn H7223 first Prep | Prep | Adj

וּ/בְנֵ֧י bên H1121 son Conj | N-mp

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper

אָמְר֗וּ ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Perf-3cp

נָנ֨וּסָה֙ nûwç H5127 to flee V-Qal-1cp

וּֽ/נְתַקְּנֻ֔/הוּ nâthaq H5423 to tear Conj | V-Qal-1cp | Suff

מִן min H4480 from Prep

הָ/עִ֖יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement Art | N-fs

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

הַֽ/מְסִלּֽוֹת mᵉçillâh H4546 highway Art | N-fp

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 20:32

וַ/יֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

בְּנֵ֣י bên H1121 "son" N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

בִנְיָמִ֔ן Binyâmîyn H1144 "Benjamin" N-proper

Benjamin means son of the right hand, referring to the youngest son of Jacob and the tribe that descended from him. The term is first used in Genesis 35:18. Benjamin was a brother of Joseph and a half-brother of Reuben and others.

Definition: § Benjamin = "son of the right hand" a gate in Jerusalem

Usage: Occurs in 160 OT verses. KJV: Benjamin. See also: Genesis 35:18; 1 Samuel 9:21; Psalms 68:28.

נִגָּפִ֥ים nâgaph H5062 "to strike" V-Niphal

To strike or smite is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used in Joshua to describe battles and in Psalms to describe God's judgment. It can also mean to stumble or hurt someone, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: 1) to strike, smite 1a) (Qal) to strike, smite 1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be smitten 1c) (Hithpael) to stumble

Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: beat, dash, hurt, plague, slay, smite (down), strike, stumble, [idiom] surely, put to the worse. See also: Exodus 7:27; 2 Samuel 10:15; Psalms 89:24.

הֵ֛ם hêm H1992 "they(masc.)" Pron

This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.

Definition: they, these, the same, who

Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.

לְ/פָנֵ֖י/נוּ pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

כְּ/בָ/רִאשֹׁנָ֑ה riʼshôwn H7223 "first" Prep | Prep | Adj

This word means 'first' or 'primary', referring to something that comes before others in time, place, or rank. It is used to describe the first or most important thing in a series or list.

Definition: : first adj 1) first, primary, former 1a) former (of time) 1a1) ancestors 1a2) former things 1b) foremost (of location) 1c) first (in time) 1d) first, chief (in degree) adv 2) first, before, formerly, at first

Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. See also: Genesis 8:13; 1 Chronicles 27:3; Psalms 79:8.

וּ/בְנֵ֧י bên H1121 "son" Conj | N-mp

Definition: : child/son

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל 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.

אָמְר֗וּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

נָנ֨וּסָה֙ nûwç H5127 "to flee" V-Qal-1cp

To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.

Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)

Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.

וּֽ/נְתַקְּנֻ֔/הוּ nâthaq H5423 "to tear" Conj | V-Qal-1cp | Suff

To tear or pull something away from something else, like pulling a plant out of the ground or separating two things, is what this word means, and it can also describe being separated or torn apart.

Definition: 1) to pull or tear or draw off or away or apart, draw out, pluck up, break, lift, root out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to draw away 1a2) to draw or pull off 1a3) to pull or tear away 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be drawn away, be drawn out 1b2) to be torn apart or in two, be snapped 1b3) to be separated 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to tear apart, snap 1c2) to tear out, tear up, tear away 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to draw away 1d2) to drag away 1e) (Hophal) to be drawn away

Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: break (off), burst, draw (away), lift up, pluck (away, off), pull (out), root out. See also: Leviticus 22:24; Isaiah 5:27; Psalms 2:3.

מִן min H4480 "from" Prep

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

הָ/עִ֖יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Art | N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

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.

הַֽ/מְסִלּֽוֹת mᵉçillâh H4546 "highway" Art | N-fp

This word means a raised highway or public road, like the ones built by King Solomon. It is used in books like Numbers and Isaiah to describe paths and roadways.

Definition: highway, raised way, public road

Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: causeway, course, highway, path, terrace. See also: Numbers 20:19; Psalms 84:6; Proverbs 16:17.

Study Notes — Judges 20:32

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Judges 20:32 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Judges 20:32
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 20:32
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 20:32
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 20:32
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 20:32

Context — Civil War against Benjamin

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.

32“We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.”

33So all the men of Israel got up from their places and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar, and the Israelites in ambush charged from their positions west of Gibeah. 34Then 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.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Joshua 8:15–16	Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness. Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city.

Judges 20:32 Summary

[In this verse, the Benjamites think they are winning the battle because they have killed some of the Israelites, but the Israelites are actually using a clever strategy to draw them away from the city. This shows us that things are not always as they seem, and we should be careful not to be deceived by initial appearances. The Israelites' plan is similar to the way God often works in our lives, using unexpected ways to achieve victory, as seen in (Romans 8:28) and (2 Corinthians 1:9). By trusting in God and persevering through challenges, we can experience His power and wisdom in our lives.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Benjamites think they were winning the battle?

The Benjamites thought they were winning because they had drawn the Israelites out and killed about thirty of them, just as they had done before, as seen in Judges 20:31. However, the Israelites were actually employing a strategy to draw the Benjamites away from the city.

What was the Israelites' strategy in retreating and drawing the Benjamites away from the city?

The Israelites' strategy was to lure the Benjamites into a trap by retreating and drawing them away from the city onto the roads, where they could be ambushed, as seen in Judges 20:33. This plan was similar to the tactics used by Joshua in Joshua 8:1-29.

How does this verse relate to the concept of pride and overconfidence?

This verse illustrates the dangers of pride and overconfidence, as the Benjamites were so confident in their initial successes that they failed to recognize the Israelites' strategy, similar to the warnings against pride in Proverbs 16:18 and 1 Corinthians 10:12.

What can we learn about perseverance and strategy from this verse?

We can learn the importance of perseverance and clever strategy in the face of adversity, as the Israelites did not give up after initial setbacks, but instead adapted and employed a new plan to achieve victory, as encouraged in Romans 5:3-5 and 2 Timothy 4:7.

Reflection Questions

How do I respond when I feel like I'm 'winning' in a situation, but may be deceived about the true state of affairs?
What are some ways I can apply the Israelites' strategy of perseverance and clever planning to my own life and challenges?
How can I avoid the trap of pride and overconfidence, and instead cultivate humility and a willingness to adapt and learn?
What role does faith and trust in God play in the midst of uncertainty and adversity, as seen in the Israelites' experience?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 20:32

And the children of Benjamin said, they are smitten down before us, as at first,.... At the first battle, which gave them great spirit, and they concluded they should have victory, as before: but the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 20:32

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. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 20:32

Judges 20:32 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.Ver. 32. They are smitten down before us.] This was their επινικιον, which they sang too soon; for their destruction was at next door by. But sorry man knoweth not his time. "As the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them."

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 20:32

(32) Said, Let us flee.—In a later historical style the plan of the feigned flight would have been mentioned earlier. Unto the highways.—This would have the double effect of allowing the ambuscade to cut off their retreat, and of dividing their forces at the point where the roads branched off.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 20:32

Verse 32. Let us - draw them from the city] They had two reasons for this: 1. They had placed an ambuscade behind Gibeah, which was to enter and burn the city as soon as the Benjamites had left it. 2. It would seem that the slingers, by being within the city and its fortifications, had great advantage against the Israelites by their slings, whom they could not annoy with their swords, unless they got them to the plain country.

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