Judges 20:40

Verse

But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke.

American Standard Version (1901)

But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and, behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven.

Bible in Basic English

Then the sign went up out of the town in the pillar of smoke, and the Benjamites, turning back, saw all the town going up in smoke to heaven.

Free Bible Version

However, when the Israelites saw the columns of smoke rising heavenwards to form a great cloud over the whole of the town,

Geneva Bible 1599

But when the flame bega to arise out of the citie, as a pillar of smoke, the Beniamites looked backe, and behold, the flame of the citie began to ascend vp to heauen.

King James (Authorized) Version

But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.

Translation for Translators

But then smoke from the burning buildings began to rise up from the city. The men of the tribe of Benjamin turned around and saw that the whole city was burning.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But when a pillar of smoke began to rise up out of the city, the Benjamites turned and saw the smoke rising to the sky from the whole city.

Noah Webster Bible

But when the flame began to rise from the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjaminites looked behind them, and behold, the flame of the city ascended to heaven.

World English Bible

But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and behold, the whole city went up in smoke to the sky.

Young's Literal Translation

and the volume hath begun to go up from the city — a pillar of smoke — and Benjamin turneth behind, and lo, gone up hath the perfection of the city toward the heavens.

Context

Civil War against Benjamin

³⁹the men of Israel would turn in the battle. When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.”⁴⁰But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke.

Summary

In this verse, the men of Israel had set an ambush to defeat the Benjamites in battle. As planned, they began to retreat, drawing the Benjamites away from their city. The Israelites had a strategy to create a diversion by sending up a signal, indicating that the ambush was successful. This tactic led to the Benjamites being confused and surrounded by the men of Israel, resulting in their defeat. The verse showcases the importance of strategic planning and unity in achieving victory in battle.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And when the men of Israel turned again,.... Turned their faces to the Benjaminites, on whom they had turned their backs; and which they did on hearing the sound of the trumpet, or seeing the flame of the city, or both, and that in order to fight the Benjaminites, and smite them, as now was their opportunity: the men of Benjamin were amazed; at this strange and sudden change of things, at the sight of the flame of their city behind them, and at the Israelites turning back to fight them, when they thought themselves sure of victory, as at other times: for they saw that evil was come upon them; that they were in the utmost danger, between two fires, as we usually say, liers in wait behind them, which had seized their city and burnt it, and the army of Israel turning upon them with great spirit and resolution.