Judges 20:44
Judges 20:44 in Multiple Translations
And 18,000 Benjamites fell, all men of valor.
And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour.
And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valor.
Eighteen thousand men of Benjamin came to their death, all strong men of war.
Eighteen thousand Benjamites were killed, all of them courageous warriors.
And there were slaine of Beniamin eyghteene thousad men, which were all men of warre.
And there fall of Benjamin eighteen thousand men — the whole of these [are] men of valour;
Eighteen thousand men of Benjamin fell; all these were men of valor.
And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valor.
And they that were slain in the same place were eighteen thousand men, all most valiant soldiers.
They killed 18,000 strong soldiers of the tribe of Benjamin.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 20:44
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 20:44 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יִּפְּלוּ֙
מִ/בִּנְיָמִ֔ן
שְׁמֹנָֽה
עָשָׂ֥ר
אֶ֖לֶף
אִ֑ישׁ
אֶת
כָּל
אֵ֖לֶּה
אַנְשֵׁי
חָֽיִל
וַֽ/יִּפְּלוּ֙
nâphal
H5307
to fall
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
מִ/בִּנְיָמִ֔ן
Binyâmîyn
H1144
Benjamin
Prep | N-proper
שְׁמֹנָֽה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
eight
Adj
עָשָׂ֥ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
אִ֑ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
אֵ֖לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Pron
אַנְשֵׁי
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-mp
חָֽיִל
chayil
H2428
Helech
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 20:44
וַֽ/יִּפְּלוּ֙
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
מִ/בִּנְיָמִ֔ן
Binyâmîyn
H1144
"Benjamin"
Prep | 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.
שְׁמֹנָֽה
shᵉmôneh
H8083
"eight"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number eight, which was considered a special number in biblical times. It is used to describe quantities, such as eight days or eight years, and also appears in ordinal forms, like eighth or eighth day.
Definition: 1) eight, eighth 1a) eight (as cardinal number) 1b) eighth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: eight(-een, -eenth), eighth. See also: Genesis 5:4; 1 Chronicles 16:38; Jeremiah 32:1.
עָשָׂ֥ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
אִ֑ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אֵ֖לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
אַנְשֵׁי
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
חָֽיִל
chayil
H2428
"Helech"
N-ms
This word represents strength, might, or power, whether physical, financial, or military. In the Bible, it's used to describe the strength of God or the wealth of a nation, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:17-18.
Definition: § Helech = "your army" a place near Arvad and Gammad
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily). See also: Genesis 34:29; 2 Chronicles 13:3; Psalms 18:33.
Study Notes — Judges 20:44
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Civil War against Benjamin
42So they fled before the men of Israel toward the wilderness, but the battle overtook them, and the men coming out of the cities struck them down there.
43They surrounded the Benjamites, pursued them, and easily overtook them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east.
44And 18,000 Benjamites fell, all men of valor.
45Then the Benjamites turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and Israel cut down 5,000 men on the roads. And they overtook them at Gidom and struck down 2,000 more. 46That day 25,000 Benjamite swordsmen fell, all men of valor.Judges 20:44 Summary
[Judges 20:44 tells us that 18,000 strong Benjamite warriors were defeated, showing that God's judgment can be severe when we disobey Him, as also seen in Deuteronomy 28:25. This verse reminds us to trust in God's power rather than our own, as encouraged in Psalms 20:7. By recognizing our own weaknesses and limitations, we can surrender to God and trust in His strength, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. This helps us to avoid the kind of pride and self-reliance that led to the Benjamites' downfall.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the 18,000 Benjamites who fell in Judges 20:44?
The 18,000 Benjamites who fell in Judges 20:44 represents a significant portion of the Benjamite army, highlighting the severity of the judgment that befell them, as seen in the context of Judges 20:42-46, and reminiscent of the consequences of disobedience seen in Deuteronomy 28:25.
Why does the Bible specify that all the Benjamites who fell were men of valor?
The Bible specifies that all the Benjamites who fell were men of valor to emphasize the completeness of the defeat, as also seen in Judges 20:46, and to contrast with the Benjamites' earlier confidence in their own strength, as noted in Judges 20:1-2, much like the warnings against pride in Proverbs 16:18.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's judgment in the book of Judges?
Judges 20:44 illustrates God's judgment on the Benjamites for their sin, as seen in Judges 19:1-20:48, and serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience, echoing the theme of God's judgment in Isaiah 5:25 and throughout the Bible.
What can we learn from the fact that the Benjamites were defeated despite their initial confidence?
The defeat of the Benjamites despite their initial confidence, as seen in Judges 20:1-2, teaches us to trust in God rather than our own strength, as encouraged in Psalms 20:7 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I might be trusting in my own strength rather than God's, and how can I surrender those areas to Him?
- How does the concept of God's judgment impact my understanding of His character, and what are some ways that I can align my life with His will?
- In what ways can I apply the lessons of Judges 20:44 to my own life, particularly in terms of recognizing the dangers of pride and self-reliance?
- How can I balance the concept of God's judgment with the reality of His love and mercy, as seen in verses like John 3:16 and Romans 8:1?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 20:44
And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men,.... Just the number they had slain of Israel in the second battle.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 20:44
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. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 20:44
There fell, to wit, in the field, or battle.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 20:44
Judges 20:44 And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these [were] men of valour.Ver. 44. And there fell of Benjamin.] To wit, In the battle.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 20:44
44. eighteen thousand men] Contrast the number in Judges 20:35 from B. The first half of the v. may be assigned to A, and connects with Judges 20:47; the second half has found its way here from Judges 20:46, probably by a copyist’s error.