Civil War: Israel vs. Benjamin
Judges 20:1-48
Jud.20.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותקהל: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- העדה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- למדן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- באר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שבע: NUM,card
- וארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגלעד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- המצפה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 7:5-6 (structural): Samuel summons and gathers all Israel to Mizpah to fast, pray, and seek the LORD in response to a national crisis—same location and corporate religious response as Judges 20:1.
- 1 Samuel 3:20 (verbal): Uses the formula “from Dan even to Beersheba” to denote the whole land of Israel—same nationwide geographic expression found in Judges 20:1.
- Judges 20:26 (structural): Later in the same chapter the Israelites assemble at the house of God, fast, weep, and offer sacrifices at Mizpah—direct continuation and parallel of the congregational gathering to seek the LORD.
- 2 Samuel 5:3 (thematic): “All the elders of Israel” come together at Hebron to make David king—another instance of the tribes assembling as one body for a decisive national action, echoing the unity language of Judges 20:1.
- Joshua 7:6 (thematic): After Achan’s transgression all Israel mourns and Joshua seeks the LORD—an episode where the whole community assembles and appeals to God in the face of a national calamity, paralleling the motive behind the gathering at Mizpah.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then all the sons of Israel went out, and the congregation assembled as one man at Mizpah—from Dan to Beersheba, and to the land of Gilead—before the LORD at Mizpah.
- And all the people of Israel went out, and the congregation assembled as one man to the LORD at Mizpah—from Dan even to Beersheba, and the land of Gilead.
Jud.20.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתיצבו: VERB,hitpael,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- פנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כל: DET
- שבטי: NOUN,m,pl,con
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקהל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רגלי: ADJ,m,pl
- שלף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 32:26 (thematic): A mass assembly called to identify who is 'on the LORD's side' and to act collectively for Yahweh—similar motif of the people gathering as one for a divine cause.
- Deuteronomy 20:1-4 (thematic): Instruction for Israel before battle invoking the LORD's presence and encouragement for armed men—parallels the mobilization of armed footmen ready for combat under divine sanction.
- 1 Samuel 11:7 (structural): A sudden summoning of Israel and a united response ('with one consent') to confront an enemy—echoes the rapid assembling of the tribes as one armed force.
- 2 Samuel 5:1-3 (structural): All the tribes and elders of Israel assemble to acknowledge and act together (in this case, to make David king)—comparable corporate gathering of the tribes for a decisive national action.
- 1 Chronicles 12:38 (verbal): Language of unity ('all Israel were of one heart') closely parallels the picture of the tribes standing together 'as one man' in Judges 20:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people presented themselves, every one of the tribes of Israel, in the assembly before God: four hundred thousand foot soldiers who drew the sword.
- And the tribes of Israel stood up, the whole people, by tribes, before the LORD—four hundred thousand men of choice, who drew the sword.
Jud.20.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- כי: CONJ
- עלו: PREP+3ms_suff
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המצפה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דברו: INF,qal,inf+3ms
- איכה: INTJ
- נהיתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 19:30 (verbal): Immediate lead‑in to ch.20: same public outrage over a heinous crime and the call to take counsel—language and social response closely parallel (assemble, deliberate, speak).
- Judges 20:8 (structural): Direct continuation of the assembly at Mizpah: the Israelites inquire into the evil and then gather at the house of God to seek counsel and pursue collective action (war).
- 1 Samuel 7:5–6 (thematic): Israel again assembles at Mizpah in a national crisis to confess, seek the LORD and obtain divine guidance/deliverance—same motif of a communal gathering at Mizpah to deal with national sin and danger.
- Deuteronomy 21:1–9 (thematic): Prescribes a communal procedure for an unsolved homicide and acknowledges corporate responsibility; thematically related to Judges' concern with communal redress and ritual/collective handling of grievous violence.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the men of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah. Then the sons of Israel said, "Speak, how did this evil come to pass?"
- And the men of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah; and the sons of Israel said, "Speak: how did this evil come about?"
Jud.20.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הלוי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הנרצחה: PART,niphal,part,NA,f,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הגבעתה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לבנימן: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- באתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- ופילגשי: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,poss1s
- ללון: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Judges 19:1 (structural): Introduces the same Levite and his concubine — sets the narrative context for the statement in 20:4 (same characters and backstory).
- Judges 19:15-16 (verbal): Describes the couple's arrival at Gibeah and lodging there (parallels the Levite's claim 'I came to Gibeah... to spend the night').
- Judges 19:22 (thematic): Reports the men of Gibeah demanding sexual access to the guest — the act of violence that precipitates the murder and the Levite's later report to Israel in ch. 20.
- Judges 19:29-30 (structural): The Levite's grisly response (dismembering his concubine and sending pieces throughout Israel) leads directly to the assembly and military response recounted in Judges 20, which begins with his testimony.
- Genesis 19:4-11 (thematic): Sodom episode: townsmen demand to abuse visitors — a close thematic parallel of hospitality violated and sexual violence prompting communal outrage and judgement.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Levite, the man to whom the murdered woman belonged, answered and said, "I came into Gibeah of Benjamin with my concubine to spend the night.
- And the Levite, the man whose concubine was murdered, answered and said, "I came to Gibeah of Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night."
Jud.20.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקמו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בעלי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויסבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אותי: PRON,1,sg,acc
- דמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss3ms
- להרג: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ואת: CONJ
- פילגשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1,sg
- ענו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ותמת: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Judges 19:22-26 (structural): Immediate narrative account of the same crime in Gibeah — details of the men surrounding the house and brutal abuse of the Levite's concubine that his report recounts.
- Genesis 19:4-8 (thematic): Parallel motif of men of a city surrounding a house at night to sexually assault visitors/guests (the Sodom incident), highlighting violation of hospitality and communal depravity.
- 2 Samuel 13:1-22 (thematic): Another instance of sexual violence within Israel (Amnon's rape of Tamar) that precipitates family and national crisis — thematically linked by rape, dishonor, and ensuing social fallout.
- Deuteronomy 22:23-27 (thematic): Legal treatment of sexual assault in town versus field; relevant for understanding ancient perspectives on rape, consent, and the severity of the offense reported in Judges 20:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the men of the Gibeah rose up against me, surrounded the house at night; they surrounded me and intended to strike me down, that they might lie with me, but my concubine they ravished and she died.
- And the men of Gibeah rose up against me and surrounded the house against me by night. They were near to slaying me; they have ravaged my concubine, and she is dead.
Jud.20.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בפילגשי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff
- ואנתחה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואשלחה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שדה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נחלת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- זמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונבלה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg 19:29 (verbal): Same episode — the concubine’s body is cut up and sent throughout Israel; Judges 20:6 echoes the action of mutilation and distribution.
- Judg 19:30 (structural): Immediate national response to the crime in 19:29–30; explains the outrage that leads Israel to assemble and take action against Benjamin.
- Judg 21:1-14 (structural): Direct narrative aftermath: Israel’s wars against Benjamin and the measures taken to provide wives for the surviving Benjaminites, showing the consequences of the outrage described in 20:6.
- 2 Sam 13:1-22 (thematic): Another instance of sexual violence within Israel (Amnon’s rape of Tamar) that produces familial and national trauma — thematically comparable to the concubine’s abuse and its fallout.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then I took my concubine and cut her in pieces, limb by limb, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel; for they have done a vile thing and a disgrace in Israel.
- Then I took my concubine and divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel; for they have wrought a lewd and vile thing in Israel.
Jud.20.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- כלכם: PRON,2,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועצה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הלם: ADV
Parallels
- Judges 20:18 (structural): Same narrative context—after assembling Israel they next 'asked counsel of God' (whether to go to battle), continuing the communal deliberation begun in 20:7.
- Exodus 17:4 (verbal): Moses asks God 'What shall I do unto this people?'—a similar expression of seeking a course of action for the community.
- 1 Kings 12:6-7 (thematic): All Israel comes together to address a national decision and 'consulted'—parallel motif of the whole community convening to determine policy.
- Deuteronomy 31:11-12 (thematic): Instruction to 'gather the people'—an institutional precedent for assembling all Israel to hear instruction and make communal decisions.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, all of you, sons of Israel; give counsel and take counsel here.
- Behold, all of you are sons of Israel; give verdict and counsel here.
Jud.20.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- לא: PART_NEG
- נלך: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,_,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאהלו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- נסור: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לביתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 20:11 (verbal): Repeats the same formula—'all the people rose as one man'—emphasizing unanimous resolve within the same narrative.
- Exodus 32:26 (thematic): After the golden calf incident Moses asks, 'Who is on the LORD's side?' and 'the sons of Levi gathered themselves together'—a collective, decisive assembly responding in unity to a crisis.
- Acts 2:1 (structural): The Greek account that 'they were all with one accord in one place' conveys the same idea of corporate unanimity and united action as in Judges 20:8.
- Acts 1:14 (thematic): 'All these were continually devoting themselves with one accord to prayer'—another New Testament example of a group acting and resolved as one.
- Genesis 11:1 (thematic): 'Now the whole earth had one language and the same words'—an early biblical expression of collective unity and common purpose comparable to the unanimity in Judges 20:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- And all the people arose as one man, saying, "None of us will go to his tent, none will return to his house;"
- And all the people rose as one man and said, "Not one of us shall return to his tent, nor shall any of us go to his house."
Jud.20.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- לגבעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- בגורל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 19:30 (verbal): The Levite’s original report uses the same formula (“הנה הדבר אשר נעשה בגבעה”)—the graphic incident at Gibeah that 20:9 refers back to.
- Judges 20:1-11 (structural): The assembly at Mizpah and the formal inquiry into the Gibeah crime; 20:9 is part of this section framing the tribes’ response.
- Judges 20:13 (thematic): The demand that Benjamin surrender the men responsible for the Gibeah atrocity continues the legal and punitive concern introduced in 20:9.
- Judges 21:1-14 (thematic): The aftermath of the conflict over Gibeah—attacks on Jabesh‑Gilead and measures to preserve Benjamin—shows the wider consequences of the event described in 20:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- but now this is the thing that was done to Gibeah—decide it by lot.
- Now this is the matter that was done at Gibeah—about which the lot has fallen.
Jud.20.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ולקחנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,pl
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- למאה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- שבטי: NOUN,m,pl,con
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומאה: CONJ+NUM,f,sg,abs
- לאלף: NUM,m,sg
- ואלף: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לרבבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לקחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- צדה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לעם: PREP
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- לבואם: VERB,qal,inf,3,m,pl
- לגבע: PREP+PNOUN,f,sg,abs
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- ככל: PREP
- הנבלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.20.11 (verbal): Immediate continuation—same episode of mustering Israel by hundreds and thousands; continues the language of assembling and numbering the men for battle at Gibeah.
- Numbers 1:2-3 (structural): Census/mustering of Israel by tribes and head-counts for military service; parallels organizational pattern of levying men "by hundreds and thousands."
- Deuteronomy 20:1-4 (thematic): Instructions and theological rationale for going out to battle—trusting Yahweh and mustering for war; provides the covenantal framework for Israel's armed assembly in Judges.
- 1 Samuel 11:7 (thematic): Example of a nationwide summons and rapid mobilization to relieve a city (Jabesh‑Gilead); like Judges 20, it depicts a collective military response of the tribes to an atrocity against a town.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then they took of them ten men out of every hundred, a hundred out of every thousand, and a thousand out of every ten thousand, to provide provisions for the people, to bring them to Gibeah of Benjamin, to execute judgment on Gibeah according to all the vile things which they had done in Israel.
- We have taken men by tens from each hundred of all the tribes of Israel, a hundred from each thousand, and a thousand from ten thousand, to furnish provision for the people, that they may come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the vileness that they have done in Israel.
Jud.20.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאסף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- חברים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Judg.20.2 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same narrative: the tribes of Israel gather and the formula of assembling ‘as one man’ is repeated, emphasizing national unity before battle.
- 1 Sam.11.7 (verbal): When Saul mobilizes Israel against Nahash, the people are called and ‘went out as one man’—the same phraseology and idea of unanimous national muster.
- Neh.8.1 (verbal): Postexilic assembly: ‘all the people gathered together as one man’ to hear the Law—same wording and the theme of corporate gathering in unity.
- Acts 1.14 (thematic): The disciples ‘all with one accord’ (single-minded unity) in prayer; a New Testament parallel in theme (communal unity and solidarity) though expressed in different terms.
Alternative generated candidates
- So all the men of Israel were gathered to the city, united as one man.
- So all the men of Israel gathered to the city as one man, united.
Jud.20.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- שבטי: NOUN,m,pl,con
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבטי: NOUN,m,pl,con
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מה: PRON,int
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נהיתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בכם: PREP,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 22:10-12 (verbal): The other tribes send a delegation to the eastern tribes (Reuben, Gad, half-Manasseh) to ask about an altar and accuse them of rebellion—same motif of sending messengers to question an apparent communal wrong.
- Judges 19:29-30 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the atrocity against the Levite's concubine produces national outrage and summons Israel, which directly leads to the demand recorded in Judges 20:12.
- Judges 20:1-3 (structural): Earlier verses in the same episode: the tribes assemble and demand that Benjamin hand over the perpetrators—an internal repetition/parallel within the chapter showing the same inquiry and escalation.
- Joshua 7:6-9 (thematic): After Israel’s defeat at Ai Joshua seeks an explanation for the disaster and investigates sin within the community—a communal inquiry into wrongdoing that parallels the tribes’ demand to Benjamin.
- 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (thematic): Samuel summons Israel’s leaders and confronts them about covenantal failures; like Judges 20:12 this passage involves leaders confronting the people/tribes about misconduct and accountability.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What is this wickedness that has happened among you?
- And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribes of Benjamin, saying, "What is this evil thing that has happened among you?"
Jud.20.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- תנו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בליעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בגבעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונמיתם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ונבערה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מישראל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- אבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- לשמע: INF,qal,infc
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 19:22-30 (structural): Immediate narrative antecedent: the gang rape and murder of the Levite’s concubine in Gibeah that provokes Israel’s demand to hand over the guilty men and purge evil from Israel.
- Deuteronomy 13:12-18 (thematic): Law concerning a city led into idolatry: investigate the charge and destroy the city and its inhabitants to 'put away the evil'—parallel rationale and corporate purge language.
- Deuteronomy 21:18-21 (structural): Law prescribing that a persistently rebellious son be stoned by the men of his city—an example of communal execution to remove a source of evil within Israel.
- 1 Samuel 2:12 (verbal): Uses the phrase 'sons of Belial' (בני־בליעל) to describe corrupt men; parallels the epithet applied to the Gibeah perpetrators in Judges 20:13.
- Ezekiel 9:4-6 (thematic): Divine commission to mark the righteous and slay those who commit abominations—echoes the motif of purging the land of wickedness by executing the guilty.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore give us the men, the worthless fellows who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and remove evil from Israel." But the sons of Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their brethren, the sons of Israel.
- Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel." But the sons of Benjamin would not heed the voice of their brothers, the sons of Israel.
Jud.20.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאספו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- מן: PREP
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- הגבעתה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לצאת: VERB,qal,inf
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 20:13 (verbal): Immediate report of the same mobilization — earlier verse uses the same language of the Benjamites assembling from their cities to go out to war, repeating the muster motif within the narrative.
- Judges 21:1–2 (structural): Aftermath of the civil conflict: the Israelite tribes again come together at Mizpah to deliberate and take collective action, mirroring the large-scale assembly and communal consequences of the earlier mobilization.
- Numbers 14:40–45 (thematic): Israelites assemble to attack the Canaanites despite prior divine warning and are defeated — a thematically similar scene of nationwide mustering for battle that results in disastrous conflict.
- 1 Samuel 11:6–7 (thematic): Saul’s rapid mobilization of Israel to confront Nahash (cutting and sending pieces of oxen and calling the people) parallels the sudden gathering of forces and the tribal/communal rally to war depicted in Judges 20.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the sons of Benjamin gathered themselves from the cities to Gibeah, to go out to battle against the sons of Israel.
- Then the Benjamites gathered from their cities to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
Jud.20.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתפקדו: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- מהערים: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,def
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- וששה: CONJ+NUM,card
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לבד: PREP
- מישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- התפקדו: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,pl
- שבע: NUM,card
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 20:16 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same episode that reiterates and specifies the ‘seven hundred chosen men’ from Gibeah mentioned in 20:15 — a near-verbatim detail of Benjamin’s force.
- Judges 19:22-30 (thematic): Narrative background for the conflict: the crime at Gibeah (rape and murder) that provokes Israel’s demand for justice and the subsequent war against Benjamin.
- Numbers 1:2-3 (allusion): Legal/ideological precedent for counting fighting men — God’s command to number all able-bodied men for military service provides background for the practice of mustering troops as seen in Judges 20.
- Numbers 26:2 (thematic): Another wilderness census of those able to go to war; thematically parallels the practice of enumerating fighting men and highlights the importance of tribal military strength in Israel’s history.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the men of Benjamin were mustered on that day from the cities twenty-six thousand men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah—seven hundred chosen men, left-handed, every one able to sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
- Now the men of Benjamin were mustered out of the cities that day, twenty-six thousand men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were numbered seven hundred chosen men.
Jud.20.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- מכל: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- שבע: NUM,card
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אטר: ADJ,m,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימינו: NOUN,m,sg,suff-3ms
- כל: DET
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- קלע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באבן: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- השערה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יחטא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 3:15 (verbal): Mentions a left‑handed man (Ehud); parallels the explicit identification of left‑handed warriors in Judg 20:16.
- 1 Samuel 17:49–50 (thematic): David uses a sling and a stone to fell Goliath—parallels the martial use of slingers and their deadly accuracy.
- 1 Chronicles 12:2 (verbal): Lists warriors 'armed with bows, who could use both the right hand and the left'—closely parallels the motif of ambidextrous/left‑handed skilled fighters.
- Nehemiah 4:17–18 (thematic): Workers carried on construction with a weapon in one hand and tools in the other—echoes the theme of combining manual skill with martial proficiency (use of both hands).
Alternative generated candidates
- Of all these people seven hundred chosen men were left-handed; each could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
- Of all this people there were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
Jud.20.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התפקדו: VERB,hithpael,perf,3,m,pl
- לבד: PREP
- מבנימן: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,m,abs
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 1:3 (structural): Both verses describe the mustering/enumeration of Israel's fighting men (those fit for war) as preparation for military action.
- 2 Samuel 24:9 (verbal): Uses similar language about large numbers of 'valiant men' who 'drew the sword' (men of war), paralleling Judges' emphasis on a vast armed host.
- 1 Chronicles 21:5 (verbal): Parallel account to 2 Samuel with the same motif of a census yielding hundreds of thousands of 'men that drew the sword,' echoing Judges' numeric and martial imagery.
- Judges 7:2 (thematic): Contrasts the theme here (a great assembled army ready for battle) with Gideon’s reduction of forces—both passages focus on the relation between Israel’s forces and divine action in war.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the sons of Israel were mustered, excluding Benjamin, four hundred thousand men who drew the sword—every one a man of war.
- And the men of Israel were numbered, besides Benjamin, four hundred thousand men who drew the sword; all these were warriors.
Jud.20.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקמו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- וישאלו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- באלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- בתחלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בתחלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 23:2-4 (verbal): Both passages depict leaders 'inquiring of the LORD' about military action; God gives a direct answer determining whether or how to engage the enemy.
- 1 Samuel 30:8 (verbal): David 'inquires of the LORD' before pursuing raiders and receives divine direction — parallels the pattern of seeking Yahweh’s guidance prior to battle in Judges 20:18.
- Numbers 2:3 (structural): The camp and march order place Judah first; structurally parallels Judges 20:18 where the LORD designates Judah to go first in battle.
- Genesis 49:8-10 (thematic): Jacob’s blessing assigns leadership and a scepter to Judah (victory/authority imagery), thematically echoing the tribe’s leadership role when God names Judah to lead the fight.
- Judges 7:4-7 (thematic): God selects and limits the forces who will fight (Gideon’s men) and directs how victory comes; parallels the motif of divine determination of who will take the field and how Israel’s battles are conducted.
Alternative generated candidates
- They rose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God. The sons of Israel said, "Who shall go up first to battle against the sons of Benjamin?" And the LORD said, "Judah shall go first."
- And they rose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God. And they said, "Who shall go up first to battle against the Benjamites?" The LORD said, "Judah shall go up first."
Jud.20.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקומו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבקר: PREP
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 4:6-14 (thematic): Both passages describe Israel mustering and going up to fight an enemy under charismatic leadership (Barak/Deborah in ch.4; the tribal assembly in ch.20), including movement to a high place (Mount Tabor/nearby heights) before battle.
- Joshua 8:10-11 (structural): In Joshua the Israelites take positions on the heights and set an ambush behind Ai—a similar tactical use of hills/high ground and morning movement prior to engagement as in Judg 20:19.
- 1 Samuel 11:7,11 (thematic): Saul's rapid mustering and morning attack on Nahash’s Ammonites parallels the motif of Israel rising early to assemble and take the field against an internal/external foe.
- 2 Samuel 5:22-25 (thematic): David’s early-morning confrontations with the Philistines (rising, positioning, and striking) echo the pattern of morning mobilization and engagement found in Judges 20:19.
- 2 Chronicles 20:20-23 (thematic): Jehoshaphat’s forces stand and act in the morning and the LORD gives victory—another example of dawn assembly/action and use of positioning on the landscape before/at the outset of battle.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the sons of Israel rose early in the morning and encamped against Gibeah.
- Then the children of Israel rose early and camped against Gibeah.
Jud.20.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- ויערכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 20:11 (verbal): Immediate context: the tribes of Israel are gathered 'as one man' to go to war—parallels the assembly and preparation for battle in 20:20.
- Judges 20:21 (structural): Direct continuation: Israel again goes out to fight and arrays themselves against Benjamin on the following day, repeating the action of 20:20.
- 2 Samuel 2:12-14 (thematic): Describes a pitched battle between rival Israelite factions (Abner and Joab) with forces drawn up and engaged at Gibeon—echoes the civil conflict and military array against fellow Israelites in Judges 20.
- 1 Samuel 11:7 (thematic): Saul's tactical disposition of troops into companies and his morning assault on the enemy parallels the mobilization and battlefield deployment reflected in Judges 20:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel set themselves in array against Gibeah.
- And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel set themselves in array against Gibeah.
Jud.20.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- מן: PREP
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישחיתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ועשרים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.20.16 (verbal): Explains how the Benjamites were able to inflict heavy Israelite losses: 700 left‑handed slingers from Gibeah could strike accurately, providing a verbal/causal link to the 22,000 slain (same episode).
- Judg.19.30 (structural): The atrocity at Gibeah that provokes the civil war; structurally this chapter provides the immediate cause and context for the battle in which 22,000 Israelites fall.
- Judg.21.2–5 (thematic): Describes the aftermath of the civil war — mourning, inquiry of the LORD, and measures taken after the great loss of life — thematically connected to the heavy casualties recorded in 20:21.
- 2 Sam.18.6–7 (thematic): During Absalom’s rebellion a single day’s fighting produces severe bloodshed (‘the battle was fierce that day’), paralleling the motif of intense, deadly engagement within Israelite civil conflict.
- Ps.18.2 (thematic): Uses rock/stronghold language as refuge and place of encounter; thematically echoes the image of combatants issuing from a fortified rock/hill (הגבעה) in Judges 20:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the sons of Benjamin went out from Gibeah and struck down among the sons of Israel that day twenty-two thousand men; for the sons of Israel were smitten.
- And the Benjamites went out from Gibeah and struck down in Israel on that day twenty-two thousand men; for the people fell there.
Jud.20.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתחזק: VERB,hitp,impf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויספו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- לערך: VERB,qal,inf
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- במקום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ערכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- ביום: PREP
- הראשון: ADJ,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 1:9 (verbal): Commands to 'be strong' (חזק ואמץ) echo the root חזק in Judges 20:22—both involve strengthening before action, here preparing Israel for renewed battle.
- Joshua 8:1 (thematic): God instructs Joshua to 'arise, go up' and take the army to attack Ai after an earlier setback—parallels the Israelites' regrouping and renewed array for battle in Judges 20:22.
- Exodus 17:11-13 (thematic): When Moses holds up his hands Israel gains the advantage and the battle is continued; the passage similarly portrays renewed resolve and continuation of combat after an initial phase.
- 1 Samuel 30:6 (allusion): David 'encouraged himself in the LORD' (strengthening himself) when faced with disaster—echoing the motif in Judges 20:22 of the people strengthening themselves and renewing their fight.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people encouraged themselves, and again set themselves in battle in the same place where they had fought the first day.
- Then the men of Israel were strengthened and turned again to their place; they renewed the battle at the place where they had set themselves the first day.
Jud.20.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- הערב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישאלו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- האוסיף: PRT+VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- לגשת: VERB,qal,inf
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- אחי: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עלו: PREP+3ms_suff
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.20.18 (structural): Earlier in the same sequence the Israelites ‘inquired of the LORD’ which tribe should go up first; part of the repeated ritual of consulting God before engaging the Benjamites.
- Judg.20.26 (structural): A subsequent repetition in the same campaign where the people again weep and inquire of the LORD about attacking Benjamin—shows the recurring consultation pattern in this battle episode.
- 1 Sam.30.8 (verbal): David ‘inquired of the LORD’ whether to pursue raiders and overtake them — a close verbal and functional parallel of seeking divine direction before pursuing/going into battle.
- Num.27.21 (allusion): Instruction that Eleazar the priest was to ‘inquire’ for the commander by the judgment of the Urim reflects the institutionalized means of asking Yahweh’s will for leadership and military decisions.
- 1 Sam.14.36-37 (thematic): Saul’s consultation (by lot) and question about whether to attack the Philistines parallels the theme of leaders seeking divine permission and guidance before engaging in warfare.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the sons of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until evening; and they inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of Benjamin my brethren?" And the LORD said, "Go up against them."
- And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until evening; and they inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I yet go up to battle against the Benjamites my brothers?" And the LORD said, "Go up;"
Jud.20.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- ביום: PREP
- השני: ADJ,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Judg.20.18 (structural): Immediate lead‑in to the same engagement: Israel assembles, inquires of Yahweh and prepares to go against the Benjamites—sets the structural sequence that leads to the approach described in v.24.
- Judg.20.21 (structural): Describes the initial movement and tactical disposition of Israel against Gibeah/Benjamin (the first day), providing the contrast with the renewed approach on the second day in v.24.
- Judg.20.22 (verbal): Continues the day‑by‑day battle narrative; like v.24 it records Israel's repeated approaches and engagements with the Benjamites, emphasizing the iterative character of the fighting.
- Judg.19.22-30 (thematic): The rape and murder in Gibeah that precipitates the civil war; this background explains why Israel must ‘come near’ to Benjamin and fight on successive days.
- Judg.21.1 (thematic): Immediate aftermath concern (the fate of Benjamin and its survivors) that frames the significance of the multi‑day assaults, showing the narrative arc from approach and battle to the post‑war crisis.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the sons of Israel drew near to the sons of Benjamin on the second day.
- so the children of Israel drew near to the Benjamites on the second day.
Jud.20.25 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- לקראתם: PREP,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- השני: ADJ,m,sg,def
- וישחיתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,const
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עוד: ADV
- שמנת: NUM,f,sg,cons
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- שלפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 20:35 (structural): Describes the third-day ambush and rout of Benjamin in the same campaign; shows the progression of battles and cumulative casualties that include the deaths mentioned in 20:25.
- Judges 20:48 (structural): Final summary of the campaign against Benjamin, giving the total number slain by the sword (25,100); directly parallels 20:25 as part of the same narrative of heavy losses.
- Exodus 32:27-28 (thematic): Levites are commanded to kill about 3,000 fellow Israelites after the golden calf — thematically parallels Israelites slaying Israelites as collective punishment or purge, like the inter-tribal slaughter in Judges 20.
- Numbers 31:7-12 (thematic): An account of large-scale slaughter with specific casualty figures in a divinely sanctioned military action; parallels Judges 20:25 in depiction of mass killing and the practice of enumerating the slain.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the sons of Benjamin went out to meet them from Gibeah on the second day and struck down among the sons of Israel eighteen thousand men. All these were men who drew the sword.
- And the Benjamites went out from Gibeah to meet them on the second day and struck down in Israel another eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.
Jud.20.26 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ויבכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויצומו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- עד: PREP
- הערב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עלות: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ושלמים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 7:5-6 (verbal): The people gather at a sacred site, fast and weep before the LORD; Samuel offers sacrifices—language and actions closely parallel Judges 20:26.
- 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (thematic): Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast and Judah assembles to seek the LORD's help—a corporate fast/assembly to petition God mirrors Judges' national mourning and seeking of the LORD.
- Nehemiah 9:1-3 (verbal): The people assemble, fast, confess and sit in sackcloth and ashes—an extended communal act of fasting, weeping and worship before God similar to Judges 20:26.
- Ezra 8:21-23 (thematic): Ezra proclaims a fast to seek safe travel and humbling before God; the description of corporate fasting to seek divine favor parallels the motive and practice in Judges.
- Joel 2:15-16 (structural): A call to sanctify a fast and gather a solemn assembly before the LORD—the prophetic template for national fasting and assembly underlies scenes like Judges 20:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then all the sons of Israel, all the people, went up and came to Bethel and wept, and sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
- Then all the children of Israel and all the people went up and came to Bethel; and they wept, and they sat there before the LORD, and they fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
Jud.20.27 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישאלו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Sam.4:3-4 (thematic): Israel brings the ark into a military assembly seeking the LORD’s help; parallels Judges 20:27’s juxtaposition of consulting God and the ark’s presence in a conflict setting.
- 1 Sam.7:1-2 (verbal): Says the ark ‘remained’ at Kiriath‑jearim ‘a long time’—language and theme echo Judges 20:27’s noting that ‘the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days.’
- 1 Sam.30:8 (verbal): Uses the same formula of ‘inquiring of the LORD’ before pursuing military action (David asks the LORD); parallels Judges’ report that the Israelites ‘inquired of the LORD.’
- Num.10:33 (thematic): Describes the ark going before Israel and guiding their movement in the wilderness—parallels the motif of the ark as the sign of God’s presence with Israel in moments of movement and battle.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they inquired of the LORD—for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days—
- And they inquired of the LORD (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days), "Shall I yet again go out to battle against the Benjamites my brothers, or shall I cease?"
Jud.20.28 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ופינחס: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- האוסף: VERB,qal,part,ms,def
- עוד: ADV
- לצאת: VERB,qal,inf
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- אחי: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- אם: CONJ
- אחדל: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עלו: PREP+3ms_suff
- כי: CONJ
- מחר: ADV
- אתננו: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg,obj:3m,pl
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.20:27 (verbal): Immediate context: the Israelites and Phinehas inquire of the LORD about the battle; verse 27 contains the petition to God that verse 28 answers.
- Judg.20:18 (structural): Earlier in the same episode they consult God about who should go first into battle (’Who shall go up first…?’) — same pattern of seeking divine direction for military action.
- Numbers 27:21 (allusion): Sets the institutional precedent: Eleazar the priest (and the use of priestly inquiry/Urim) stands to obtain God’s decision for leaders — parallels Phinehas/Eleazar’s priestly role in Judges 20.
- 1 Sam.30:8 (thematic): David asks the LORD whether he should pursue raiders and seeks God’s deliverance ('Shall I pursue? will you deliver them into my hand?') — same motif of seeking divine permission before battle.
- 1 Sam.23:2 (verbal): David enquires of the LORD about attacking enemies ('Shall I go and smite these Philistines/will you deliver them into mine hand?') — closely parallels the wording and decision-seeking in Judges 20:28.
Alternative generated candidates
- and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, stood before him in those days and said, "Shall I yet again go out to battle against the sons of Benjamin my brethren, or shall I cease?" And the LORD said, "Go up; for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand."
- And Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, stood before the LORD in those days and said, "Shall I yet go out to battle with the Benjamites my brothers?" And the LORD said, "Go up; for tomorrow I will give them into your hand."
Jud.20.29 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארבים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- סביב: ADV
Parallels
- Joshua 8:3,11 (verbal): Israel sets an ambush behind the city of Ai (’set men in ambush round about the city’), using the same tactic and similar language of surrounding a hill/city to surprise the enemy.
- Judges 7:16–22 (thematic): Gideon divides his men and surrounds the Midianite camp, attacking by surprise at night—a closely parallel episode of encirclement and sudden assault.
- 1 Samuel 26:5–12 (thematic): David and Abishai enter Saul’s camp by night and lie in wait; while not a broad encirclement, it shares the tactic of covertly positioning forces against an enemy in their camp.
- Judges 20:40–43 (structural): Later verses in the same chapter narrate the placement of ambushers and the ensuing attack on Gibeah/Benjamin, continuing the same episode of surrounding the hill and engaging the Benjamites.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Israel set an ambush round about Gibeah.
- So Israel set an ambush around Gibeah.
Jud.20.30 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- ביום: PREP
- השלישי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ויערכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כפעם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בפעם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg
Parallels
- Judg.20:29 (verbal): Nearly identical wording describing the second day's action—'they went up... and set themselves in array against Gibeah, as before'—highlighting the repeated attempts on successive days.
- Judg.20:11 (structural): Describes the initial assembly and first engagement between Israel and Benjamin, providing the opening encounter to which the third-day attack is a later repetition.
- Judg.20:21 (thematic): Records the heavy Israelite losses in the first day’s fighting, explaining why Israel must renew the assault on subsequent days (including the third day).
- Judg.20:33 (thematic): Describes the final rout of Benjamin during the renewed assault—shows the outcome that results from the repeated arraying and attack (the third day’s success).
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the sons of Israel went up to the sons of Benjamin on the third day; and they set themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
- And the children of Israel went up to the Benjamites on the third day and set themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
Jud.20.31 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- לקראת: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנתקו: VERB,hitp,perf,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויחלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- להכות: VERB,qal,inf
- מהעם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חללים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כפעם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בפעם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg
- במסלות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ואחת: CONJ+NUM,card,sg,f
- גבעתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כשלשים: PREP+NUM,card,pl,m,approx
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.20:29 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same episode — the same action of the Benjamites going out to meet Israel; language and narrative beat are repeated.
- Judg.20:33-34 (structural): Continuation of the battle narrative showing repeated sallies and counterattacks; echoes the rhythm of 'time after time' and the ebb-and-flow of the fighting.
- Judg.20:45-48 (thematic): The final phase of the civil war against Benjamin — same campaign, location cluster (Gibeah/Bethel region) and the decisive defeats and destruction that culminate the series of skirmishes.
- Judg.19:22-30 (allusion): The rape and outrage at Gibeah that precipitated the assembly and war; provides the background motive and the same place-name (Gibeah) referenced in 20:31.
- Judg.21:10-14 (thematic): Aftermath of the conflict and measures taken against Benjamin (destruction of towns, spoliation and provisions for survivors) — shows consequences of the repeated battles described in chapter 20.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sons of Benjamin went out to meet the people, and began to strike down some of the people; and the men of Israel were struck down—about thirty men at a time—for there were turnings in the battle, one company turning to Bethel and another to Gibeah in the field; about thirty men in Israel fell.
- And the Benjamites went out to meet the people and began to strike down the Israelites; at one encounter they killed thirty men, for they said, "They are routed before us as at the first."
Jud.20.32 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- נגפים: PART,niphal,ptcp,m,pl,abs
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- לפנינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כבראשנה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ננוסה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- ונתקנהו: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,pl,obj:3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- המסלות: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- Judg.20.31 (verbal): Immediately preceding verse repeats the same exchange (Benjaminites claim the enemy is routed; Israel proposes a feigned flight), showing a repeated tactical pattern and near-verbatim wording in the narrative's cycle.
- Judg.20.33 (structural): Continuation of the same combat sequence where the same tactic is reiterated; structurally parallels 20:32 as part of the tripartite pattern of engagement in the chapter.
- Judg.20.37 (thematic): Later in the chapter the Israelites again use maneuvering and ambush tactics to draw the Benjaminites out of their stronghold—echoing the strategy expressed in 20:32 of feigned flight to pull opponents onto the highways.
- Josh.8:3-9 (thematic): Joshua's ambush at Ai involves luring the city's defenders out and drawing them into an ambush on the highways/approaches; thematically parallels the tactic in Judges 20:32 of feigning retreat to draw fighters out from a town into open ground.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the sons of Benjamin said, "They have been routed before us, as at the first." But the sons of Israel said, "Let us flee and draw them from the city to the highways."
- And the sons of Benjamin said, "They are too few before us as at the beginning." And the men of Israel said, "Let us flee and draw them from the city to the highways."
Jud.20.33 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קמו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- ממקומו: PREP
- ויערכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בבעל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תמר: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- וארב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מגיח: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,sg
- ממקמו: PREP
- ממערה: PREP
- גבע: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 8:3-9 (structural): Joshua places an ambush behind the city of Ai while drawing the enemy out—a comparable tactical deployment of hidden forces and staged positioning before the assault.
- Judges 7:16-22 (thematic): Gideon divides Israel into companies and surprises the Midianite camp by encirclement and sudden attack—similar theme of arranging troops and striking by ambush.
- 2 Samuel 18:5-15 (thematic): Joab sets ambushes in the wood of Ephraim and deploys multiple detachments to trap Absalom—another example of concealed positioning and coordinated attack within Israelite warfare narratives.
- Judges 21:10-14 (thematic): The men of Israel conduct a sudden military strike against Jabesh‑Gilead to secure brides for the Benjaminites—an instance of organized, surprise offensive action following Israelite deliberation.
Alternative generated candidates
- So every man of Israel arose from his place, and they set themselves in array at Baal-tamar; and the ambush came forth from their place from the cave of Gibeah.
- Then every man of Israel arose from his place and stationed themselves at Baal-tamar; and the ambush of Israel came forth from their places from the rock of Gibeah.
Jud.20.34 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מנגד: ADV
- לגבעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עשרת: NUM,card,ten,cons
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מכל: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והמלחמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- כבדה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- והם: CONJ+PRON,3,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- כי: CONJ
- נגעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judg.20.48 (structural): Same campaign against Benjamin — continues the narrative of pursuit and heavy casualties culminating in the burning of cities and near-annihilation of the Benjamite forces.
- Judg.7.13-14 (thematic): Gideon’s account of a dream and ensuing panic in the enemy camp: a smaller Israelite force causes sudden rout and heavy losses, echoing themes of unexpected disaster and decisive battlefield collapse.
- 1 Sam.14.14-15 (thematic): Jonathan’s attack produces terror and confusion among the Philistines, leading to a rout; parallels the sudden, severe turn of battle and the enemy’s unawareness of impending disaster.
- Exod.14.24-25 (allusion): The LORD throws the Egyptian host into confusion and prevents them from knowing their danger until it strikes; conceptually parallels the divine-orchestrated calamity and the enemy’s ignorance of imminent doom.
- 2 Chron.20.22-23 (thematic): Jehoshaphat’s victory where worship and a sudden panic among foes cause them to destroy one another — another instance of mass confusion and heavy enemy losses without Israel’s full conventional engagement.
Alternative generated candidates
- They came opposite Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel; and the battle became severe, and they knew not that misfortune had come upon them.
- And they came near to Gibeah, ten thousand chosen men from all Israel. The battle was sore, and they did not know that disaster had come upon them.
Jud.20.35 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- לפני: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישחיתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבנימן: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- וחמשה: CONJ+NUM,m,pl
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- ומאה: CONJ+NUM,f,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- שלף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 20:47 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same battle narrative—reports the Israelite pursuit and further slaughter of Benjaminites, showing the cumulative casualties and tactical outcome.
- Judges 21:2 (thematic): Describes the aftermath of the near-extermination of the tribe of Benjamin (only 600 surviving men), directly related to the heavy losses reported in Judg 20:35.
- Joshua 6:20 (thematic): Yahweh-enabled victory in which the people rout and destroy their enemies at God's word; parallels the motif of the LORD striking the foe and Israel executing large-scale slaughter.
- 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 (thematic): God intervenes in battle causing enemy confusion and mutual slaughter—similar theological theme of the LORD delivering Israel by striking down their adversaries.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the LORD struck Benjamin before Israel, and the sons of Israel struck down of Benjamin twenty-five thousand and one hundred men that day, all of them men of valor who drew the sword.
- And the LORD struck Benjamin before Israel; and the children of Israel killed of Benjamin at that time twenty-five thousand one hundred men; all these drew the sword.
Jud.20.36 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- כי: CONJ
- נגפו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מקום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבנימן: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- בטחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- הארב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 20:35 (structural): Immediate antecedent in the same narrative: Israel 'encouraged themselves' and 'set an ambush' — introduces the tactic that verse 20:36 reports as trusted by Benjamin.
- Judges 20:37-38 (verbal): Continuation of the same episode describing the ambush and the Israelites' feigned withdrawal; shares key vocabulary and the same tactical movement (giving place/ambush).
- Joshua 8:2-3 (thematic): Joshua sets men in ambush and feigns retreat to draw out the defenders of Ai — the same military ruse of luring an enemy into a hidden force.
- Judges 7:19-22 (thematic): Gideon's surprise/night attack creates panic and rout among foes; parallels the use of surprise and psychological effect of an ambush to turn the tide of battle.
- 1 Samuel 13:17-18 (thematic): Saul's forces and Israelite detachments deploy to block and draw out Philistine forces (setting positions and relying on tactical dispositions) — another instance of coordinated maneuvering and ambush-like positioning in Israelite warfare.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the sons of Benjamin saw that they were beaten; so the sons of Israel turned again and were discouraged, because they had given place to Benjamin, for they had trusted the ambush which they had set against Gibeah.
- Then the Benjamites saw that they were smitten, and the men of Israel turned again and pursued Benjamin, for they had given place to them who were coming out of the city.
Jud.20.37 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והארב: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,c,sg
- החישו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויפשטו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וימשך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הארב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 8:2 (structural): An ambush tactic: Israel sets an ambush and draws out the city’s defenders before striking — a similar military stratagem to the surprise attack described in Judges 20:37.
- Joshua 8:24–26 (structural): After the ambush, the Israelites enter and smite the city, killing its inhabitants — parallels the outcome language of striking and destroying a city by the sword.
- Deuteronomy 20:16 (thematic): Legal/ethical precedent for warfare language: the command to utterly destroy certain cities and put inhabitants to the sword echoes the total slaying of a city in Judges 20:37.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (verbal): God’s command to ‘smite Amalek and put them to the sword’ shares the explicit vocabulary and motif of complete destruction by the sword found in Judges 20:37.
- Judges 20:46 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel within the same chapter: subsequent verses recount the pursuit, ambush, and slaughter of Benjamin — a direct continuation and close parallel to the action described in v.37.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the ambush hurried and rushed into the city; and the ambush rose up and struck the city with the edge of the sword.
- And the ambush rushed in and entered Gibeah; and the ambush smote the city with the edge of the sword.
Jud.20.38 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והמועד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- הארב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הרב: ADJ,m,sg,def
- להעלותם: PREP+VERB,hif,infc,3,m,pl
- משאת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- העשן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 8:9-19 (structural): Joshua lays an ambush behind Ai and gives a timed signal; the hidden force then rises and the city is set on fire to draw out the defenders—close tactical parallel to the ambush-and-signal arrangement in Judges 20:36–38.
- Judges 7:16-22 (thematic): Gideon arranges hidden forces with a preset signal (breaking jars, torch-blast, shout) that triggers a sudden rise and rout of the enemy—a similar motif of concealed troops and a coordinated signal.
- 1 Samuel 14:6-15, 20-23 (thematic): Jonathan’s surprise attack and the ensuing panic among the Philistines illustrate the use of sudden, small-scale surprise action and ensuing rout, comparable to the ambush tactic and planned signal in Judges 20.
- Judges 21:10-13 (thematic): Israel’s strike on Jabesh‑gilead, including a sudden assault and the burning of the city, echoes the destructive outcome and use of fire associated with the ambush and signal described in Judges 20:38.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the appointed sign for the men of Israel and for the ambush was to lift up an ascending smoke from the city.
- And the appointed signal to the men of Israel with the ambush was to rise up from the city and to lift up a column of smoke.
Jud.20.39 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהפך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובנימן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- החל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להכות: VERB,qal,inf
- חללים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- באיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כשלשים: PART+NUM,card,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אך: PART
- נגוף: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- נגף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- לפנינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כמלחמה: PART+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הראשנה: ADJ,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 20:18-23 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: the earlier engagement in the same chapter where Israel is defeated and many fall — the event the Benjamites are referring to when they think ‘they are stricken before us as in the first battle.’
- Joshua 8:18-22 (thematic): After an initial setback at Ai (Joshua 7), Joshua uses a feigned retreat and ambush; the pursuing defenders are trapped and slaughtered — a similar tactical reversal where pursuers misread the situation and suffer heavy losses.
- Judges 7:20-22 (thematic): Gideon’s surprise attack causes Midianite panic and internecine slaughter (they turn and flee), illustrating the motif of enemy confusion and rout by unexpected maneuver — comparable to the confusion and killing described in Judges 20:39.
- 2 Kings 7:6-7 (thematic): The Aramean camp panics at sounds and flees, convinced they are surrounded; their misperception produces a rout without direct fighting — a parallel instance of panic/misreading of the battlefield producing sudden slaughter or flight.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the men of Israel turned, and Benjamin began again to strike down men of Israel—about thirty men—because they said, "Surely we are routed before them, as at the first."
- Then the men of Israel turned back in the battle; and Benjamin began to strike down Israelites—about thirty men fell—because they said, "They are only routed before us, as in the former battle."
Jud.20.40 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והמשאת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- החלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לעלות: VERB,qal,inf
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עמוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויפן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
- והנה: ADV
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כליל: ADV
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- השמימה: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Judg.20:48 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel in the same chapter—later verses describe the Benjamite cities being set on fire and destroyed, explaining the smoke and the city's utter consumption.
- Genesis 19:28 (verbal): Uses nearly identical imagery of smoke rising from a destroyed city/land ('smoke of the country like the smoke of a furnace') after divine judgment—parallel motif of a city consumed by fire and smoke.
- Revelation 18:18 (verbal): Speaks of 'the smoke of her burning' as observers see a city's destruction—an apocalyptic echo of the vivid image of smoke ascending from a ruined city.
- Joshua 8:28 (thematic): Describes the burning and destruction of the city of Ai by Israel—a closely related motif of military conquest ending in a city consumed by fire.
- Lam.4:11 (thematic): Lamentations uses the imagery of the LORD kindling a fire and cities/people being consumed—the theme of total destruction by fire and rising smoke parallels Judges' depiction of a city utterly burned.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the ascending column of smoke began to rise from the city; and the sons of Benjamin looked behind them, and behold, the whole city had gone up in smoke to heaven.
- And the flame rose up from the city as a pillar of smoke; and the Benjamites looked behind them and behold—the whole city had gone up in smoke to heaven.
Jud.20.41 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הפך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויבהל: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- כי: CONJ
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- נגעה: VERB,qal,perf,3,fs
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 20:20 (structural): Same battle narrative—earlier maneuver in the same engagement where Israel turns on Benjamin; provides immediate structural parallel within the same chapter.
- Judges 7:22 (thematic): Gideon’s victory where the enemy is thrown into panic and turns on one another—theme of divine-enabled confusion and rout leading to Israelite success.
- Joshua 10:10 (verbal): God ‘discomfits’/throws the foe into confusion before Israel, producing a rout—verbal and thematic echo of panic among enemy ranks.
- 1 Samuel 14:15 (thematic): A sudden panic/trembling among the enemy host (caused by the LORD) leads to rout; parallels the terror and collapse of Benjamin’s forces when they see disaster.
- 1 Samuel 17:52 (thematic): After David’s victory the Philistines flee and are pursued by Israel—similar motif of the enemy’s terror and ensuing pursuit/rout by Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the men of Israel turned back; and the sons of Benjamin were dismayed because they saw that mischief had come upon them.
- Then the men of Israel turned back; and the Benjamites were dismayed, for they saw that calamity had come upon them.
Jud.20.42 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפנו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- והמלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הדביקתהו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,f,sg
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- מהערים: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,def
- משחיתים: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,pl
- אותו: PRON,3,m,sg,obj
- בתוכו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prsuf3ms
Parallels
- Judg.4:15–16 (verbal): Israelites pursue an enemy force and overtake/strike them—language of pursuit and overtaking (pursue, strike down) parallels Judges 20:42’s account of the battle catching up with the Benjaminites.
- 1 Sam.17:52 (verbal): After David’s victory the men of Israel and Judah pursue the Philistines ‘as far as Gibeah and to the gate of Ekron,’ with wounded falling ‘along the way’—similar pursuit imagery and wording to Judges 20:42.
- 1 Sam.30:17–18 (thematic): David pursues the Amalekites, smites them severely and recovers what was taken—theme of hot pursuit, decisive slaughter and destruction of the fleeing foe echoes Judges 20:42.
- 2 Kings 10:17 (thematic): Jehu’s purge of Ahab’s house in Jezreel—striking down all who remained and leaving none alive—parallels the complete destruction of the enemy within towns described in Judges 20:42.
Alternative generated candidates
- They fled before the men of Israel toward the way of the wilderness; and the battle overtook them. And those who came out of the cities cut them down within.
- And they turned before the men of Israel toward the way of the wilderness; and the battle overtook them. Those who were found from the cities were cut off in the midst of them.
Jud.20.43 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כתרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- הרדיפהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מנוחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הדריכהו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,pl
- עד: PREP
- נכח: PREP
- הגבעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ממזרח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 20:42 (verbal): Uses the same action of surrounding Gibeah (כתרו את־בנימן) and sets the immediate context for the pursuit and attack described in 20:43.
- Judges 20:44 (structural): Continues the battle narrative—describes the Israelites rushing on Benjamin and the heavy casualties (18,000), a direct continuation of the pursuit and slaughter in 20:43.
- Judges 20:47 (thematic): Describes Benjamin's rout and emphasizes the might of the slaughter, echoing the theme of relentless pursuit and devastating defeat found in 20:43.
- Judges 20:48 (structural): Provides the campaign's conclusion—total casualties and the burning of Gibeah—summarizing the outcome of the encirclement and pursuit narrated in 20:43.
Alternative generated candidates
- They hemmed in Benjamin, pursued him with hard thrusts, pressed him down from every side to the east of Gibeah, toward the rising of the sun.
- They hemmed in Benjamin, pursued him without rest, and trod him down; there was crushing pressure even to Gibeah on the east.
Jud.20.44 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מבנימן: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,m,abs
- שמנה: NUM,card,f,pl,abs
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.20.46 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same battle narrative — further account of Israel's attack on Benjamin and additional casualties, showing the chapter's cumulative slaughter.
- Judg.20.25 (thematic): Earlier in the chapter Israel seeks the LORD’s counsel and organizes the attack that produces the heavy losses recorded in v.44; links the decision to go to battle with the ensuing large number of casualties.
- Judg.21.16 (thematic): Postwar summary of the fate of Benjamin: only a remnant of the tribe survives (six hundred men), connecting v.44’s heavy losses to Benjamin’s near destruction in the aftermath.
- 1 Chron.12.38 (verbal): Uses the same designation for warriors ('mighty men' / 'men of valor'), paralleling the description in Judg.20.44 that the slain were 'men of valor' — a common biblical phrase for combat-worthy fighters.
Alternative generated candidates
- And of Benjamin fell eleven thousand men, all these valiant men.
- Then of Benjamin fell eleven thousand men—every one a mighty man.
Jud.20.45 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפנו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- וינסו: CONJ+VERB,qal,wayy,3,m,pl
- המדברה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- סלע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרמון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעללהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- במסלות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- חמשת: NUM,m,pl,cs
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וידביקו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- גדעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויכו: VERB,qal,yiqtol,3,m,pl
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.20:44 (structural): Immediate context: the preceding verse likewise describes Israel's pursuit of the Benjamites and the initial slaughter (about 600), forming the same episode of flight, pursuit, and casualties.
- Judg.7:22 (thematic): Gideon's victory over the Midianites includes a night rout and a persistent pursuit in which Israel cuts down fleeing enemies—similar motif of panic, pursuit into the open/wilderness, and heavy losses for the pursued.
- Josh.8:24-26 (thematic): After the ambush at Ai Israel pursues the fleeing inhabitants and strikes them down; like Judges 20:45 this passage combines ambush/pursuit and the thorough slaughter of fugitives.
- 1 Sam.30:16-19 (thematic): David's pursuit of the Amalekites to recover captives results in a swift, extensive slaughter of the fleeing enemy—paralleling the pursuit-to-the-wilderness and decisive killing in Judges 20:45.
Alternative generated candidates
- They turned and fled to the rock Rimmon. And the men of Israel pursued them, and struck them down by the fords; five thousand fell, and they chased them and followed after them to Gidom and struck down of them about one thousand men.
- And they turned and fled toward the rock of Rimmon; five thousand men went up to the rock of Rimmon. The pursuit overtook them at Gidom, and there they struck down a thousand of them.
Jud.20.46 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הנפלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מבנימן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prop
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- וחמשה: CONJ+NUM,m,pl
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 20:47 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same battle narrative — describes the pursuit and further slaughter of Benjaminite warriors on that day, directly linked to the tally in 20:46.
- Judges 21:1 (thematic): Aftermath of the campaign against Benjamin: deals with the consequences for the tribe and Israel’s response to the heavy losses recorded in chapter 20.
- Joshua 8:25 (thematic): Reports a large number of men of Ai slain in a single day (about 12,000); parallels Judges 20:46 in the motif of a decisive, single-day slaughter and the practice of tallying the slain.
- 1 Chronicles 12:27 (verbal): In the lists of warriors who join David, Benjaminites are characterized as 'mighty men'/'men of valour' (Heb. אנשי־חיל), paralleling Judges 20:46’s description of the slain as 'men of valour' who drew the sword.
Alternative generated candidates
- So all the slain of Benjamin that day were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword; all these were valiant men.
- So all who fell of Benjamin that day were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword; all these were mighty men.
Jud.20.47 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפנו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- וינסו: CONJ+VERB,qal,wayy,3,m,pl
- המדברה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- סלע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרמון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בסלע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארבעה: NUM,card,m,sg
- חדשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Judges 21:8-14 (structural): Direct narrative continuation of the same episode: the six hundred Benjaminites who stayed in the rock of Rimmon are later provided wives and restored to their inheritance (same location and cast of characters).
- Joshua 20:2-3 (thematic): Establishment of places of refuge where those fleeing could seek safety; thematically parallels the idea of fugitives taking refuge in a designated place (here a 'rock' rather than a city of refuge).
- 2 Samuel 13:37-38 (thematic): Absalom’s flight to Geshur and prolonged sojourn (three years) echoes the motif of individuals fleeing to a stronghold/foreign refuge and dwelling there for an extended period.
- Psalm 18:2 (verbal): Uses the image of 'rock' as refuge and stronghold ('The LORD is my rock, my fortress'), echoing the literal refuge in a rock in Judges 20:47 and the broader biblical motif of rocks as places of safety.
Alternative generated candidates
- And six hundred men turned and fled to the rock Rimmon and remained in the rock Rimmon four months.
- And the remnant of Benjamin turned and fled to the rock of Rimmon—six hundred men—and they stayed in the rock of Rimmon four months.
Jud.20.48 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- ויכום: CONJ+VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl+OBJSUFF,3,m,pl
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מעיר: PREP
- מתם: PRON,3,pl,gen
- עד: PREP
- בהמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- כל: DET
- הנמצא: PART,nif,ptc,ms,sg,def
- גם: ADV
- כל: DET
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- הנמצאות: ADJ,part,f,pl,def
- שלחו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (structural): Legal injunction to put whole cities under the ban—slay men, women, children and beasts—provides the prescriptive pattern echoed in the wholesale slaughter and destruction in Judges 20:48.
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Account of Jericho's destruction: 'they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys'—language and action closely parallel the total annihilation and burning in Judges 20:48.
- Joshua 8:24-26 (verbal): After the capture of Ai the people 'struck them with the edge of the sword' and burned the city—phrasing and the combined slaughter-plus-burning motif echo Judges 20:48.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (thematic): Divine command to Saul to destroy Amalek—men, women, children, infants, and animals—shares the theme of total annihilation of an enemy people present in Judges 20:48.
- Judges 21:10 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel within the same cycle: Israel attacks Jabesh-gilead and puts its inhabitants to the sword—a repeated pattern of collective punitive slaughter and seizure later in the Judges narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the sons of Israel turned again against the sons of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, from the cities to the beasts; all that they found they put to the sword. And all the cities that they found they set on fire.
- Then the men of Israel returned against the children of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, from the city even to the beasts; all that they found they put to the sword. They set on fire all their cities that they found.
All the people of Israel went out, and the assembly gathered as one man at Mizpah — from Dan to Beersheba and the land of Gilead — before the LORD at Mizpah.
All the people stood in their ranks, all the tribes of Israel, in the assembly before God: four hundred thousand footmen who drew sword.
The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah; and the Israelites said, "Speak: how did this wickedness come about?"
The Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered and said, "I came to Gibeah of Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night." But the men of Gibeah rose up against me and surrounded the house at nightfall; they intended to kill me. They assaulted my concubine and abused her, and she died.
Then I took my concubine and divided her, limb by limb, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel, for they have acted wantonly and shamefully in Israel.
Behold, all of you, sons of Israel: give counsel and advice.
All the people rose up as one man, saying, "None of us shall return to his tent, nor shall any of us go to his house." And now this is the thing that was done at Gibeah, which lies among us by lot.
We will take ten men from every hundred, a hundred from every thousand, and a thousand from every ten thousand, to provision the people and to bring them to Gibeah of Benjamin, to do justice for all the vileness that has been wrought in Israel. So all the people of Israel assembled to the city, as one man, united.
The tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What is this wickedness that has happened among you?" Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and remove the evil from Israel." But the sons of Benjamin would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the sons of Israel.
Then the Benjaminites gathered from their cities to Gibeah to go out to battle against the Israelites.
On that day the Benjaminites mustered twenty-six thousand men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who mustered seven hundred chosen men.
Of all this people seven hundred were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
The Israelites mustered four hundred thousand men who drew the sword, besides Benjamin.
They went up and camped at Bethel, and inquired of God. The Israelites said, "Who shall go up first for us to battle against the Benjaminites?" And the LORD said, "Judah shall go first."
The Israelites rose in the morning and camped against Gibeah.
The men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; the Israelites arrayed themselves for battle against Gibeah.
The Benjaminites came out from Gibeah and struck down of the Israelites on that day twenty-two thousand men.
The Israelites were dismayed and again took up battle in the same place as on the first day.
Then the Israelites went up and wept before the LORD until evening, and inquired of the LORD, "Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjaminites, our brothers?" And the LORD said, "Go up; I will deliver them into your hand." So the Israelites drew near to the Benjaminites on the second day.
The Benjaminites went out against them from Gibeah on the second day and struck down another eighteen thousand Israelites; all these were men of valor who drew the sword.
All the Israelites and the assembly went up to Bethel and wept, and sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening; they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
They inquired of the LORD — for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days.
Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron stood before him in those days and said, "Shall one more time go up to battle against the Benjaminites, my brothers, or shall we cease?" And the LORD said, "Go up; tomorrow I will give them into your hand." So Israel set an ambush against Gibeah all around. And the Israelites rose against the Benjaminites on the third day and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as before.
The Benjaminites went out to meet the people, broke away from the city, and began to slay some of the people, as at the first — on the roads; some fell by the ascent to Bethel and some by the descent to Gibeah in the field — about thirty Israelites.
The Benjaminites said, "They are being routed before us, as at the first." And the Israelites said, "Let us flee and draw them from the city to the highways."
Every one of the Israelites rose from his place and took up position at Baal-tamar; and the men in ambush came out of their place from the rock of the cave.
Ten thousand chosen men of all Israel came forward opposite Gibeah; the battle was fierce, and the Benjaminites did not know that disaster had come upon them.
Then the LORD routed Benjamin before Israel; and the Israelites struck down that day twenty-five thousand and one hundred men of Benjamin, all of them valiant men who drew the sword.
The Benjaminites saw that they were routed, and they gave ground to the Israelites, for they had trusted in the ambush which they had set against Gibeah.
The ambush sprang forward, rushed into Gibeah, and struck the city with the edge of the sword.
The appointed sign for Israel and the ambush was the raising of a column of smoke from the city.
The Israelites turned in the battle, and the Benjaminites began to kill some of the Israelites — about thirty men — for they said, "They are being smitten before us as at the first."
The column of smoke began to rise from the city; the Benjaminites looked back, and behold, the city was wholly on fire.
The Israelites turned and terrified the Benjaminites, for they saw that disaster had come upon them.
The Benjaminites turned and fled by the way of the wilderness, and the battle overtook them; and those from the towns cut them down in their midst.
They hemmed in Benjamin and pursued him without respite; they pressed him down as far as opposite Gibeah eastward.
Of Benjamin fell eleven thousand men, all of them men of valor.
They turned and fled toward the rock of Rimmon; five thousand men went up by the way of the passes and overtook them at Gidom and struck down one thousand of them. Thus all the slain of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword that day, all of them men of valor.
The remnant fled to the rock of Rimmon — six hundred men — and remained at the rock of Rimmon four months.
Then the men of Israel turned and went back against the Benjaminites and struck them down with the edge of the sword, from the cities even to the beasts, all that was found; and they burned all the cities in which they had been.