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Judges 20
Lexham English Bible

The Punishment of Benjamin

20 All the Israelites[a] went out, from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, and they gathered as one body[b] to Yahweh at Mizpah. 2 And the leaders of all the people, all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand sword-bearing infantry. 3 (The descendants[c] of Benjamin heard that the Israelites[d] had gone up to Mizpah.) And the Israelites[e] said, “Tell us, how did this evil act occur?” 4 The Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered and said, “I came to Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night. 5 The lords of Gibeah rose up against me and surrounded the house at night. They intended to kill me, and they raped my concubine, and she died. 6 Then I grabbed my concubine and cut her into pieces, and I sent her throughout all the territory of Israel’s inheritance; for they committed a shameful and disgraceful thing in Israel. 7 Look, all you Israelites![f] Make your decision[g] and advice here.”

8 All the people got up as one body,[h] saying, “Not one of us will go to his tent, or will any of us return to his house. 9 So then, this is what we will do to Gibeah: we will go up against her by lot. 10 We will take ten men of one hundred from all the tribes of Israel, and one hundred of one thousand, and one thousand of ten thousand, to bring provisions to the troops, to repay them when they come to Gibeah[i] of Benjamin for all the disgraceful things[j] they did in Israel.” 11 And all the men of Israel were gathered to the city as one body[k] united.

12 Then the tribes of Israel sent men throughout all the tribes of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that happened among you? 13 So then, hand over the men, the perverse lot,[l] who are in Gibeah, so that we may kill them and purge this wickedness from Israel.” But the descendants[m] of Benjamin were not willing to listen to the voice of their relatives,[n] the Israelites.[o] 14 And the descendants[p] of Benjamin were gathered from the cities to Gibeah to go out for battle against the Israelites.[q] 15 From the cities the descendants[r] of Benjamin were counted on that day twenty-six thousand sword-wielding men,[s] besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who were counted seven hundred well-trained[t] men. 16 From all these troops were seven hundred well-trained[u] men who were left-handed;[v] each one could sling with a stone at a hair and not miss. 17 And the men of Israel besides Benjamin were counted four hundred thousand sword-wielding men;[w] all were warriors.[x]

18 Then the Israelites[y] got up and went up to Bethel, and they inquired of God, saying, “Who will go up first for the battle against the descendants[z] of Benjamin?” And Yahweh said, “Judah will go first.” 19 And the Israelites[aa] got up in the morning, and they encamped against Gibeah. 20 Then the men of Israel marched out for the battle against Benjamin, and the men of Israel took up positions against them for battle at Gibeah. 21 The descendants[ab] of Benjamin went out from Gibeah, and they struck down on that day twenty-two thousand men of Israel to the ground. 22 But the troops, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves,[ac] and again they arranged their battle lines in the place where they had arranged themselves the first day. 23 The Israelites[ad] went up and wept before Yahweh until evening and inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Should we again draw near from the battle against the descendants[ae] of Benjamin, our relatives?”[af] And Yahweh said, “Go up against them.”[ag]

24 And the Israelites[ah] drew near to the descendants[ai] of Benjamin on the second day. 25 And Benjamin went out from Gibeah to meet them on the second day, and they struck down the Israelites[aj] again, eighteen thousand men to the ground; all of these were sword-wielding.[ak] 26 And all the Israelites[al] and all the troops went up and came to Bethel and wept; and they sat there before Yahweh and fasted on that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before Yahweh. 27 And the Israelites[am] inquired of Yahweh (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, 28 and Phinehas son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, was standing before it[an] to minister in those days), saying, “Should we go out once more to battle against the descendants[ao] of Benjamin our relatives,[ap] or should we stop?” And Yahweh said, “Go up tomorrow; I will give them[aq] into your hand.”

29 So Israel stationed an ambush all around Gibeah. 30 And the Israelites[ar] went up against the descendants[as] of Benjamin on the third day, and they took up positions against Gibeah as before. 31 The descendants[at] of Benjamin went out to meet the troops, and they lured them away from the city and began to inflict casualties on the troops as before, on the main road, one of which goes up to Bethel, the other to Gibeah; and in the field there were about thirty men of Israel. 32 And the descendants[au] of Benjamin thought,[av] “They are being defeated before us as previously,”[aw] and the Israelites[ax] said, “Let us flee and lure them[ay] away from the city to the main roads.” 33 And all the men of Israel got up from their places[az] and took up positions in Baal Tamar; and the ambush of Israel charged from their places,[ba] from the vicinity of Gibeah.[bb] 34 Then ten thousand well-trained[bc] men from all Israel came out against Gibeah, and the battle became fierce;[bd] they did not know that disaster was about to close in[be] on them. 35 And Yahweh defeated Benjamin in the presence of Israel, and the Israelites[bf] destroyed on that day twenty-five thousand one hundred men of Benjamin, all of them sword-wielding.[bg]

36 The descendants[bh] of Benjamin saw that they were defeated, and the men of Israel gave ground[bi] to Benjamin because they trusted the ambush that they had set against Gibeah. 37 And the ambush came quickly and advanced against Gibeah, and it put the whole city to the sword.[bj] 38 Now the appointed time for the men of Israel with the ambush was that they sent up for them a great amount of smoke from the city. 39 And the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to inflict casualties on about thirty men of Israel because they thought,[bk] “They will be completely defeated before us as in the first battle.” 40 And the cloud of smoke began to go up from the city in a column of smoke, and Benjamin turned backward, and behold, the whole city was going up in smoke![bl] 41 And the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed because they saw that disaster was closing in[bm] on them. 42 And they retreated from before the men of Israel to the way of the wilderness, but the battle caught up to them, and those who came from the cities[bn] destroyed them in the midst of them. 43 They surrounded Benjamin; they pursued them[bo] without rest[bp] and trod them[bq] down opposite Gibeah to the east. 44 And eighteen thousand men from Benjamin fell, all of them able men.[br] 45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness, to the rock of Rimmon, but they cut down on the main roads five thousand men; and they pursued after them up to Gidom, and they struck down two thousand men. 46 So all of Benjamin who fell on that day were twenty-five thousand sword-wielding men;[bs] all of these were able men.[bt] 47 But six hundred turned and fled toward the wilderness, to the rock of Rimmon, and they remained at the rock of Rimmon for four months. 48 And the men of Israel returned to the descendants[bu] of Benjamin, and they put them to the edge of the sword,[bv] both the inhabitants of city and the animals that were found; they also set on fire all the cities that they found.

Footnotes

  1. Judges 20:1 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  2. Judges 20:1 Hebrew “man”
  3. Judges 20:3 Or “sons/children”
  4. Judges 20:3 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  5. Judges 20:3 Literally “sons of Israel” or “children of “Israel”
  6. Judges 20:7 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  7. Judges 20:7 Literally “give your word”
  8. Judges 20:8 Hebrew “man”
  9. Judges 20:10 Hebrew “Geba”
  10. Judges 20:10 Hebrew “thing”
  11. Judges 20:11 Hebrew “man”
  12. Judges 20:13 Literally “sons of uselessness”
  13. Judges 20:13 Or “sons/children”
  14. Judges 20:13 Or “brothers”
  15. Judges 20:13 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  16. Judges 20:14 Or “sons/children”
  17. Judges 20:14 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  18. Judges 20:15 Or “sons/children”
  19. Judges 20:15 Literally “men drawing sword”
  20. Judges 20:15 Or “chosen”
  21. Judges 20:16 Or “choice/chosen”
  22. Judges 20:16 Literally “bound by his right hand”
  23. Judges 20:17 Literally “men drawing sword”
  24. Judges 20:17 Literally “all were men of war”
  25. Judges 20:18 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  26. Judges 20:18 Or “sons/children”
  27. Judges 20:19 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  28. Judges 20:21 Or “sons/children”
  29. Judges 20:22 Literally “took heart”
  30. Judges 20:23 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  31. Judges 20:23 Or “sons/children”
  32. Judges 20:23 Hebrew “my brother”
  33. Judges 20:23 Hebrew “him”
  34. Judges 20:24 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  35. Judges 20:24 Or “sons/children”
  36. Judges 20:25 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  37. Judges 20:25 Literally “drawers of sword”
  38. Judges 20:26 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  39. Judges 20:27 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  40. Judges 20:28 Literally “before presence of it/him”
  41. Judges 20:28 Or “sons/children”
  42. Judges 20:28 Hebrew “my brother”
  43. Judges 20:28 Hebrew “him”
  44. Judges 20:30 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  45. Judges 20:30 Or “sons/children”
  46. Judges 20:31 Or “sons/children”
  47. Judges 20:32 Or “sons/children”
  48. Judges 20:32 Or “said”
  49. Judges 20:32 Literally “on the first”
  50. Judges 20:32 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  51. Judges 20:32 Hebrew “him”
  52. Judges 20:33 Hebrew “place”
  53. Judges 20:33 Hebrew “place”
  54. Judges 20:33 Hebrew “Geba”
  55. Judges 20:34 Or “choice/chosen”
  56. Judges 20:34 Or “the battle became heavy”
  57. Judges 20:34 Literally “touching”
  58. Judges 20:35 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  59. Judges 20:35 Literally “drawing sword”
  60. Judges 20:36 Or “sons/children”
  61. Judges 20:36 Or “a place” or “space”
  62. Judges 20:37 Literally “struck the whole city with the mouth of the sword”
  63. Judges 20:39 Or “said”
  64. Judges 20:40 Literally “to heaven”
  65. Judges 20:41 Literally “touching”
  66. Judges 20:42 Other ancient translations “city”
  67. Judges 20:43 Hebrew “him”
  68. Judges 20:43 Or “at Nohah,” a location
  69. Judges 20:43 Hebrew “him”
  70. Judges 20:44 Literally “men of strength”
  71. Judges 20:46 Literally “men drawing sword”
  72. Judges 20:46 Literally “men of strength”
  73. Judges 20:48 Or “sons/children”
  74. Judges 20:48 Literally the mouth of the sword”
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Jueces 20
La Biblia de las Américas

Guerra contra Benjamín

20 Entonces salieron todos los hijos de Israel, desde Dan hasta Beerseba, incluyendo la tierra de Galaad, y la congregación se reunió al Señor como un solo hombre en Mizpa(A). 2 Y los jefes[a] de todo el pueblo, de todas las tribus de Israel, tomaron su puesto en la asamblea del pueblo de Dios, cuatrocientos mil soldados[b](B) de a pie que sacaban espada. 3 (Y los hijos de Benjamín oyeron que los hijos de Israel habían subido a Mizpa.) Y los hijos de Israel dijeron: Decidnos, ¿cómo ocurrió esta maldad? 4 Entonces el levita, marido de la mujer que había sido asesinada, respondió y dijo: Vine con mi concubina a pasar la noche en Guibeá de Benjamín. 5 Mas los hombres de Guibeá se levantaron contra mí, y rodearon la casa por la noche por causa mía(C). Tenían intención de matarme; pero en vez de esto, violaron a mi concubina de tal manera que murió(D). 6 Tomé entonces a mi concubina, la corté en pedazos y la envié por todo el territorio de la heredad de Israel(E); porque han cometido lascivia e infamia en Israel(F). 7 He aquí, todos vosotros, hijos de Israel, dad aquí vuestro parecer y consejo(G).

8 Entonces todo el pueblo se levantó como un solo hombre, diciendo: Ninguno de nosotros irá a su tienda, ni ninguno de nosotros volverá a su casa. 9 Y ahora esto es lo que haremos a Guibeá: subiremos contra la ciudad[c] por sorteo; 10 tomaremos diez hombres de cada cien por todas las tribus de Israel, y cien de cada mil, y mil de cada diez mil para proveer[d] víveres para el pueblo, para que cuando vayan a Guibeá[e] de Benjamín los castiguen[f] por toda la infamia que han cometido en Israel. 11 Así se juntaron contra la ciudad todos los hombres de Israel, como un solo hombre.

12 Entonces las tribus de Israel enviaron hombres por toda la tribu[g] de Benjamín, diciendo: ¿Qué es esta infamia que se ha cometido entre vosotros? 13 Ahora pues, entregad a los hombres, los hombres perversos[h](H) en Guibeá, para que les demos muerte y quitemos esta infamia de Israel(I). Pero los hijos de Benjamín no quisieron escuchar la voz de sus hermanos, los hijos de Israel. 14 Y los hijos de Benjamín, de sus[i] ciudades, se reunieron en Guibeá para salir a combatir contra los hijos de Israel. 15 Y de las ciudades fueron contados[j] en aquel día, de los hijos de Benjamín, veintiséis mil hombres que sacaban espada(J), además de los habitantes de Guibeá que fueron contados[k], setecientos hombres escogidos. 16 De toda esta gente, setecientos hombres escogidos eran zurdos(K); capaces cada uno de lanzar con la honda una piedra a un cabello sin errar.

17 Entonces los hombres de Israel, fuera de Benjamín, fueron contados[l], cuatrocientos mil hombres que sacaban espada; todos estos eran hombres de guerra. 18 Los hijos de Israel se levantaron, subieron a Betel, y consultaron a Dios(L), y dijeron: ¿Quién de nosotros subirá primero a pelear contra los hijos de Benjamín? Entonces el Señor dijo: Judá subirá primero.

19 Los hijos de Israel se levantaron por la mañana y acamparon contra Guibeá. 20 Y los hombres de Israel salieron a combatir contra Benjamín, y los hombres de Israel se pusieron en orden de batalla contra ellos en Guibeá. 21 Pero los hijos de Benjamín salieron de Guibeá y derribaron[m] por tierra en aquel día veintidós mil hombres de Israel(M). 22 Pero el pueblo, los hombres de Israel, se reanimaron, y se pusieron otra vez en orden de batalla en el lugar donde se habían puesto el primer día. 23 Y subieron los hijos de Israel y lloraron delante del Señor hasta la noche(N), y consultaron al Señor(O), diciendo: ¿Nos acercaremos otra vez para combatir contra los hijos de mi hermano Benjamín? Y el Señor dijo: Subid contra él.

24 Entonces los hijos de Israel fueron contra[n] los hijos de Benjamín el segundo día. 25 Y salió Benjamín de Guibeá contra[o] ellos el segundo día y otra vez hizo caer[p] dieciocho mil hombres de los hijos de Israel; todos estos sacaban espada. 26 Todos los hijos de Israel y todo el pueblo subieron y vinieron a Betel y lloraron(P); y permanecieron allí delante del Señor y ayunaron ese día hasta la noche. Y ofrecieron holocaustos y ofrendas de paz delante del Señor. 27 Y consultaron los hijos de Israel al Señor(Q) (porque el arca del pacto de Dios estaba allí en aquellos días, 28 y Finees, hijo de Eleazar, hijo de Aarón, estaba delante de ella para ministrar en aquellos días), diciendo: ¿Volveré a salir otra vez a combatir contra los hijos de mi hermano Benjamín, o desistiré? Y el Señor dijo: Subid, porque mañana lo entregaré en tu mano(R).

Derrota y exterminio de los benjamitas

29 Puso, pues, Israel emboscadas alrededor de Guibeá(S). 30 Los hijos de Israel subieron contra los hijos de Benjamín al tercer día, y se pusieron en orden de batalla contra Guibeá como las otras veces. 31 Y salieron los hijos de Benjamín contra[q] el pueblo, siendo alejados de la ciudad(T); y comenzaron como las otras veces a herir y a matar a algunos del pueblo por los caminos, uno de los cuales sube a Betel y el otro a Guibeá, en campo abierto; mataron a unos treinta hombres de Israel. 32 Y los hijos de Benjamín dijeron: Están derrotados delante de nosotros como la primera vez. Pero los hijos de Israel dijeron: Huyamos para que los alejemos de la ciudad hacia los caminos. 33 Entonces todos los hombres de Israel se levantaron de sus puestos y se pusieron en orden de batalla en Baal-tamar; y los emboscados de Israel salieron de sus puestos(U), de Maareh-geba. 34 Cuando diez mil hombres escogidos de todo Israel fueron contra Guibeá, la batalla se hizo reñida[r]; pero Benjamín no sabía[s] que el desastre[t] se le acercaba[u](V). 35 Y el Señor hirió a Benjamín delante de Israel, de modo que los hijos de Israel destruyeron ese día a veinticinco mil cien hombres de Benjamín, todos los que[v] sacaban espada.

36 Y los hijos de Benjamín vieron que estaban derrotados[w]. Cuando los hombres de Israel cedieron terreno[x] a Benjamín porque confiaban en las emboscadas que habían puesto contra Guibeá(W), 37 los emboscados se apresuraron y se lanzaron contra Guibeá, y[y] se desplegaron e hirieron toda la ciudad a filo de espada(X). 38 Y fue la señal convenida entre los hombres de Israel y los emboscados, que ellos harían que se levantara una gran nube de humo de la ciudad(Y). 39 Entonces los hombres de Israel regresaron a la batalla, y Benjamín empezó a herir y matar a unos treinta hombres de Israel, porque dijeron: Ciertamente están derrotados[z] delante de nosotros como en la primera batalla(Z). 40 Pero cuando la nube de humo como columna empezó a levantarse de la ciudad, Benjamín miró tras sí; y he aquí, de toda la ciudad subía humo al cielo(AA). 41 Entonces los hombres de Israel se volvieron, y los hombres de Benjamín se aterrorizaron porque vieron que el desastre[aa] se les acercaba[ab](AB). 42 Por tanto, volvieron la espalda ante los hombres de Israel en dirección al desierto, pero la batalla los alcanzó, y los que salían de las ciudades los destruían en medio de ellos(AC). 43 Cercaron a Benjamín, lo persiguieron sin tregua y lo aplastaron frente a Guibeá(AD), hacia el oriente[ac]. 44 Cayeron dieciocho mil hombres de Benjamín; todos ellos eran valientes guerreros. 45 Y los demás[ad] se volvieron y huyeron al desierto, a la peña de Rimón(AE), pero capturaron[ae] a cinco mil de ellos en los caminos, y a otros los persiguieron muy de cerca hasta Gidom y mataron[af] a dos mil de ellos. 46 El total de los de Benjamín que cayeron aquel día fue de veinticinco mil hombres que sacaban espada, todos ellos valientes guerreros. 47 Pero seiscientos hombres se volvieron y huyeron al desierto, a la peña de Rimón, y permanecieron en la peña de Rimón cuatro meses. 48 Entonces los hombres de Israel se volvieron contra los hijos de Benjamín y los hirieron a filo de espada, a toda[ag] la ciudad, así como el ganado y todo lo que encontraron; también prendieron fuego a todas las ciudades que hallaron.

Footnotes

  1. Jueces 20:2 Lit., las esquinas
  2. Jueces 20:2 Lit., hombres
  3. Jueces 20:9 Lit., ella
  4. Jueces 20:10 Lit., llevar
  5. Jueces 20:10 Heb., Gueba
  6. Jueces 20:10 Lit., hagan
  7. Jueces 20:12 Lit., todas las tribus
  8. Jueces 20:13 Lit., hijos de Belial
  9. Jueces 20:14 Lit., las
  10. Jueces 20:15 O, alistados
  11. Jueces 20:15 O, alistados
  12. Jueces 20:17 O, alistados
  13. Jueces 20:21 Lit., destruyeron
  14. Jueces 20:24 Lit., se acercaron a
  15. Jueces 20:25 Lit., al encuentro de
  16. Jueces 20:25 Lit., destruyó
  17. Jueces 20:31 Lit., al encuentro de
  18. Jueces 20:34 Lit., pesada
  19. Jueces 20:34 Lit., ellos no sabían
  20. Jueces 20:34 Lit., mal
  21. Jueces 20:34 Lit., les tocaba
  22. Jueces 20:35 Lit., todos estos
  23. Jueces 20:36 Lit., heridos
  24. Jueces 20:36 Lit., lugar
  25. Jueces 20:37 Lit., y los emboscados
  26. Jueces 20:39 Lit., heridos
  27. Jueces 20:41 Lit., mal
  28. Jueces 20:41 Lit., les tocaba
  29. Jueces 20:43 Lit., hacia la salida del sol
  30. Jueces 20:45 Así en la versión gr. (sept.); el T.M. omite, los demás
  31. Jueces 20:45 Lit., recogieron
  32. Jueces 20:45 Lit., e hirieron
  33. Jueces 20:48 Otra posible lectura es, a los hombres de
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Judges 20
New International Version

The Israelites Punish the Benjamites

20 Then all Israel(A) from Dan to Beersheba(B) and from the land of Gilead came together as one(C) and assembled(D) before the Lord in Mizpah.(E) 2 The leaders of all the people of the tribes of Israel took their places in the assembly of God’s people, four hundred thousand men(F) armed with swords. 3 (The Benjamites heard that the Israelites had gone up to Mizpah.) Then the Israelites said, “Tell us how this awful thing happened.”

4 So the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, said, “I and my concubine came to Gibeah(G) in Benjamin to spend the night.(H) 5 During the night the men of Gibeah came after me and surrounded the house, intending to kill me.(I) They raped my concubine, and she died.(J) 6 I took my concubine, cut her into pieces and sent one piece to each region of Israel’s inheritance,(K) because they committed this lewd and outrageous act(L) in Israel. 7 Now, all you Israelites, speak up and tell me what you have decided to do.(M)”

8 All the men rose up together as one, saying, “None of us will go home. No, not one of us will return to his house. 9 But now this is what we’ll do to Gibeah: We’ll go up against it in the order decided by casting lots.(N) 10 We’ll take ten men out of every hundred from all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred from a thousand, and a thousand from ten thousand, to get provisions for the army. Then, when the army arrives at Gibeah[a] in Benjamin, it can give them what they deserve for this outrageous act done in Israel.” 11 So all the Israelites got together and united as one against the city.(O)

12 The tribes of Israel sent messengers throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What about this awful crime that was committed among you?(P) 13 Now turn those wicked men(Q) of Gibeah over to us so that we may put them to death and purge the evil from Israel.(R)”

But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. 14 From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites. 15 At once the Benjamites mobilized twenty-six thousand swordsmen from their towns, in addition to seven hundred able young men from those living in Gibeah. 16 Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed,(S) each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

17 Israel, apart from Benjamin, mustered four hundred thousand swordsmen, all of them fit for battle.

18 The Israelites went up to Bethel[b](T) and inquired of God.(U) They said, “Who of us is to go up first(V) to fight(W) against the Benjamites?”

The Lord replied, “Judah(X) shall go first.”

19 The next morning the Israelites got up and pitched camp near Gibeah. 20 The Israelites went out to fight the Benjamites and took up battle positions against them at Gibeah. 21 The Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down twenty-two thousand Israelites(Y) on the battlefield that day. 22 But the Israelites encouraged one another and again took up their positions where they had stationed themselves the first day. 23 The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord(Z) until evening,(AA) and they inquired of the Lord.(AB) They said, “Shall we go up again to fight(AC) against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?”

The Lord answered, “Go up against them.”

24 Then the Israelites drew near to Benjamin the second day. 25 This time, when the Benjamites came out from Gibeah to oppose them, they cut down another eighteen thousand Israelites,(AD) all of them armed with swords.

26 Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord.(AE) They fasted(AF) that day until evening and presented burnt offerings(AG) and fellowship offerings(AH) to the Lord.(AI) 27 And the Israelites inquired of the Lord.(AJ) (In those days the ark of the covenant of God(AK) was there, 28 with Phinehas son of Eleazar,(AL) the son of Aaron, ministering before it.)(AM) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?”

The Lord responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands.(AN)”

29 Then Israel set an ambush(AO) around Gibeah. 30 They went up against the Benjamites on the third day and took up positions against Gibeah as they had done before. 31 The Benjamites came out to meet them and were drawn away(AP) from the city. They began to inflict casualties on the Israelites as before, so that about thirty men fell in the open field and on the roads—the one leading to Bethel(AQ) and the other to Gibeah. 32 While the Benjamites were saying, “We are defeating them as before,”(AR) the Israelites were saying, “Let’s retreat and draw them away from the city to the roads.”

33 All the men of Israel moved from their places and took up positions at Baal Tamar, and the Israelite ambush charged out of its place(AS) on the west[c] of Gibeah.[d] 34 Then ten thousand of Israel’s able young men made a frontal attack on Gibeah. The fighting was so heavy that the Benjamites did not realize(AT) how near disaster was.(AU) 35 The Lord defeated Benjamin(AV) before Israel, and on that day the Israelites struck down 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords. 36 Then the Benjamites saw that they were beaten.

Now the men of Israel had given way(AW) before Benjamin, because they relied on the ambush(AX) they had set near Gibeah. 37 Those who had been in ambush made a sudden dash into Gibeah, spread out and put the whole city to the sword.(AY) 38 The Israelites had arranged with the ambush that they should send up a great cloud of smoke(AZ) from the city,(BA) 39 and then the Israelites would counterattack.

The Benjamites had begun to inflict casualties on the Israelites (about thirty), and they said, “We are defeating them as in the first battle.”(BB) 40 But when the column of smoke began to rise from the city, the Benjamites turned and saw the whole city going up in smoke.(BC) 41 Then the Israelites counterattacked,(BD) and the Benjamites were terrified, because they realized that disaster had come(BE) on them. 42 So they fled before the Israelites in the direction of the wilderness, but they could not escape the battle. And the Israelites who came out of the towns cut them down there. 43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them and easily[e] overran them in the vicinity of Gibeah on the east. 44 Eighteen thousand Benjamites fell, all of them valiant fighters.(BF) 45 As they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon,(BG) the Israelites cut down five thousand men along the roads. They kept pressing after the Benjamites as far as Gidom and struck down two thousand more.

46 On that day twenty-five thousand Benjamite(BH) swordsmen fell, all of them valiant fighters. 47 But six hundred of them turned and fled into the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, where they stayed four months. 48 The men of Israel went back to Benjamin and put all the towns to the sword, including the animals and everything else they found. All the towns they came across they set on fire.(BI)

Footnotes

  1. Judges 20:10 One Hebrew manuscript; most Hebrew manuscripts Geba, a variant of Gibeah
  2. Judges 20:18 Or to the house of God; also in verse 26
  3. Judges 20:33 Some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  4. Judges 20:33 Hebrew Geba, a variant of Gibeah
  5. Judges 20:43 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
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