Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:47
But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
47. A’s version of the final flight. The 600 survivors have a part to play in the sequel.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
In a cave within that rock, where they fortified themselves and fetched in provision as they had opportunity; which they could easily do, when the heat of the battle was over, and the Israelites were not solicitous to pursue them farther.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
29-48. And Israel set liers-in-waitround about GibeahA plan was formed of taking that city bystratagem, similar to that employed in the capture of Ai [Jos8:9].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But six hundred men,…. Who were all that were left of 26,700
turned and fled to the wilderness; turned out of the highway or common road, and being swift of foot, got to a wilderness; what wilderness is not certain:
unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months; very probably in a cave of that rock, which might be large enough to hold such a number; Saul is said to have just the same number under it, and David had also a like number in a cave at Engedi, 1Sa 14:2, and from hence these men might send out of their number to fetch in provision for them from parts adjacent, after the heat of the action was over, and the rage and fury of the Israelites subsided.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(47) In the rock Rimmon.This may be quite literally taken, for there are four large caverns in the hill.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘ But six hundred men turned and fled towards the wilderness, to the Rock of Rimmon, and they lived in the Rock of Rimmon for four months.’
Of the army that started out only six hundred identifiable men remained, although we can be sure that here and there stragglers escaped and found refuge somewhere. There are almost always some who escape even the worst massacres, to later describe what happened. The Rock of Rimmon was clearly inaccessible except individually and thus could easily be defended by a small force while they had supplies. The confederacy knew that they were there but could seemingly do little about it.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
I would not overstrain the holy word, to discover more than it is intended to convey: but in those six hundred men of Benjamin fleeing to the rock; may we not be led, at least, to reflect on the happiness, and safety of those who flee to the rock Christ Jesus, as a refuge from every evil.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jdg 20:47 But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
Ver. 47. Unto the rock Rimmon. ] Wherein there was a sweet providence, that these might be as a seminary, for recruit of that tribe.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
six hundred. Compare Jdg 21:13.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
six hundred: Jdg 21:13, Psa 103:9, Psa 103:10, Isa 1:9, Jer 14:7, Lam 3:32, Hab 3:2, rock of Rimmon, The rock Rimmon was doubtless a strong place; but it is uncertain where situated. It is probable however, that it was near, and took its name from, the village of Remmon, mentioned by Eusebius, fifteen miles north from Jerusalem. It appears that rocks are still resorted to in the East, as places of security; and some of them are even capable of sustaining a siege. Deut. Lam. Roque says, that “The Grand Seignior, wishing to seize the person of the emir – Fakr-eddin, prince of the Druses gave orders to the pacha to take him prisoner: he accordingly came in search of him, with a new army, in the district of Chouf, which is part of mount Lebanon, wherein is the village of Gesin, and close to it, the rock which served for a retreat to the emir. It is named in Arabic, Magara Gesin, i.e., the cavern of Gessin, by which name it is famous. The pacha pressed the emir so closely, that this unfortunate prince was obliged to shut himself up in the cleft of a great rock, with a small number of his officers. The pacha besieged him there several months; and was going to blow up the rock by a mine, when the emir capitulated.
Reciprocal: Jdg 20:15 – twenty Jdg 21:14 – sufficed them not Zec 14:10 – Rimmon