Bible Commentary

Therefore they turned [their backs] before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which [came] out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them. 42. unto the way of the wilderness ] in the direction of the barren hilly region, E. of Gibeah, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:42”

And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them. 41. amazed ] An archaism in English, for bewildered; cf. St Mar 10:32, 1Pe 3:6 (AV., contrast RV.). Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges The men of Benjamin were amazed, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:41”

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. 40. looked behind them ] Cf. Jos 8:20. It almost seems as if the account of the capture of Ai by a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:40”

And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite [and] kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as [in] the first battle. 39. And the men of Israel turned ] The turn, however, does not come properly till … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:39”

Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city. 38. a great cloud of smoke ] Omit great ( hereb, an ungrammatical form) with LXX. cod. A and mss., Syr . , Vulgate, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:38”

And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew [themselves] along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword. 37. hasted and rushed ] as did the ambush at Ai, Jos 8:19; but the words are different. See Jdg 9:33 n. drew themselves along ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:37”

So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah. 36. the children of Benjamin ] must refer to the 600 survivors. This half verse introduces the account of the flight, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:36”

And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and a hundred men: all these drew the sword. 35. As elsewhere the account of the battle is brought to an end with a summing up of the numbers slain, Jdg 20:21 ; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:35”

And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil [was] near them. 34. ten thousand chosen men ] Apparently the men who had formed the ambush: they now moved from their place of concealment, and posted themselves between the city … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:34”

And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, [even] out of the meadows of Gibeah. 33. rose up set themselves in array ] The Israelites had taken up their position opposite … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 20:33”