Judges 20:47

Verse

But 600 men turned and fled into the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, where they stayed four months.

American Standard Version (1901)

But six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon, and abode in the rock of Rimmon four months.

Bible in Basic English

But six hundred men, turning back, went in flight to the rock of Rimmon in the waste land, and were living on the rock of Rimmon for four months.

Free Bible Version

There were six hundred who ran away to Pomegranate Rock in the desert and they stayed there four months.

Geneva Bible 1599

But sixe hundreth men turned and fled to the wildernesse vnto the rocke of Rimmon, and abode in the rocke of Rimmon foure moneths.

King James (Authorized) Version

But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.

Translation for Translators

But 600 men of the tribe of Benjamin ran to Rimmon Rock in the desert. They stayed there for four months.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness, toward the rock of Rimmon. For four months they stayed at the rock of Rimmon.

Noah Webster Bible

But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness to the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.

World English Bible

But six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and stayed in the rock of Rimmon four months.

Young's Literal Translation

and there turn and flee into the wilderness, unto the rock of Rimmon six hundred men, and they dwell in the rock Rimmon four months.

Context

Civil War against Benjamin

⁴⁶That day 25,000 Benjamite swordsmen fell, all men of valor.⁴⁷But 600 men turned and fled into the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, where they stayed four months.⁴⁸And the men of Israel turned back against the other Benjamites and put to the sword all the cities, including the animals and everything else they found. And they burned down all the cities in their path.

Summary

Judges 20:47 recounts the aftermath of a devastating battle between the Israelites and the tribe of Benjamin. Only six hundred Benjamites survived, fleeing to the rock of Rimmon for safety. The Israelites pursued and killed them, leaving only two hundred Benjamites alive. This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and division among God's people, highlighting the importance of unity and obedience to God's commands.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin,.... After they had destroyed their army, the city of Gibeah, and the inhabitants of it: not content with this, in their wrath and fury, turned and went: and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city; even men, women, and children, in every city of Benjamin, at least all that lay in their way; and which they might do to be avenged on them, for sending out their militia against them, which had made such a slaughter among them to the loss of 40,000 men, or to fulfil their oath, that such who came not to Mizpeh should be put to death; for which reason also the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead, as well as of the cities of Benjamin, were put to death, men, women, and children, dealing in the same severity with them as with the Canaanitish nations, or as with a city given to idolatry: as the beast, and all that came to hand; spared no living creature, herds and flocks: also they set on fire all the cities that they came unto; which belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, so exceedingly wroth were they with them, for protecting such that had been the authors of such abominable wickedness, and for the loss of the lives of so many valuable men. Next: Judges Chapter 21