Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version While the Benjamites were saying, “We are defeating them as before,” the Israelites were saying, “Let’s retreat and draw them away from the city to the roads.” New Living Translation Then the warriors of Benjamin shouted, “We’re defeating them as we did before!” But the Israelites had planned in advance to run away so that the men of Benjamin would chase them along the roads and be drawn away from the town. English Standard Version And the people of Benjamin said, “They are routed before us, as at the first.” But the people of Israel said, “Let us flee and draw them away from the city to the highways.” Berean Standard Bible “We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.” King James Bible And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways. New King James Version And the children of Benjamin said, “They are defeated before us, as at first.” But the children of Israel said, “Let us flee and draw them away from the city to the highways.” New American Standard Bible And the sons of Benjamin said, “They are defeated before us, like the first time.” But the sons of Israel said, “Let’s flee, so that we may draw them away from the city to the roads.” NASB 1995 The sons of Benjamin said, “They are struck down before us, as at the first.” But the sons of Israel said, “Let us flee that we may draw them away from the city to the highways.” NASB 1977 And the sons of Benjamin said, “They are struck down before us, as at the first.” But the sons of Israel said, “Let us flee that we may draw them away from the city to the highways.” Legacy Standard Bible The sons of Benjamin said, “They are defeated before us, as at the first.” But the sons of Israel said, “Let us flee that we may draw them away from the city to the highways.” Amplified Bible And the Benjamites said, “They are defeated before us, as at the first.” But the sons of Israel said, “Let us flee and lure them away from the city to the highways.” Christian Standard Bible The Benjaminites said, “We are defeating them as before.” But the Israelites said, “Let’s flee and draw them away from the city to the highways.” Holman Christian Standard Bible The Benjaminites said, “We are defeating them as before.” But the Israelites said, “Let’s flee and draw them away from the city to the highways.” American Standard Version And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them away from the city unto the highways. English Revised Version And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us rise, and draw them away from the city unto the highways. GOD'S WORD® Translation The men of Benjamin shouted, "They're defeated as before!" But the men of Israel had said, "Let's flee in order to lead them from the city to the roads." Good News Translation The Benjaminites said, "We've beaten them just as before." But the Israelites had planned to retreat and lead them away from the city onto the roads. International Standard Version Then the descendants of Benjamin told themselves, "They're falling right in front of us, just like before!" But the army of Israel told themselves, "Let's draw them away by escaping to the highways from the city." Majority Standard Bible “We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.” NET Bible Then the Benjaminites said, "They are defeated just as before." But the Israelites said, "Let's retreat and lure them away from the city into the main roads." New Heart English Bible The people of Benjamin said, "They are defeated before us, as previously." But the children of Israel said, "Let us flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways." Webster's Bible Translation And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city to the highways. World English Bible The children of Benjamin said, “They are struck down before us, as at the first.” But the children of Israel said, “Let’s flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the sons of Benjamin say, “They are struck before us as at the beginning”; but the sons of Israel said, “Let us flee, and draw them away out of the city, to the highways.” Young's Literal Translation And the sons of Benjamin say, 'They are smitten before us as at the beginning;' but the sons of Israel said, 'Let us flee, and draw them away out of the city, unto the highways.' Smith's Literal Translation And the sons of Benjamin will say, They are smitten before us as at first. And the sons of Israel said, We will flee, and draw him away from the city to the highways. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor they thought to cut them off, as they did before. But they artfully feigning a flight, designed to draw them away from the city, and by their seeming to flee to bring them to the highways aforesaid. Catholic Public Domain Version For they thought that they were falling back as they had done before. But instead, skillfully feigning flight, they undertook a plan to draw them away from the city, and by seeming to flee, to lead them along the above stated paths. New American Bible The Benjaminites thought, “They are routed before us as previously.” The Israelites, however, were thinking, “We will flee and draw them out from the city onto the highways.” New Revised Standard Version The Benjaminites thought, “They are being routed before us, as previously.” But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city toward the roads.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the Benjamites said, They are defeated before us, as at first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them away from the city to the highways. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the sons of Benjamin said: “They are defeated from before us as at the first!” And the sons of Israel said: “Let us escape, and we will lead them out from the city to the streets!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the children of Benjamin said: 'They are smitten down before us, as at the first.' But the children of Israel said: 'Let us flee, and draw them away from the city unto the highways.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And the children of Benjamin said, They fall before us as at the first: but the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them out from the city into the roads; and they did so. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Civil War Against Benjamin…31The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. 32“We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.” 33So all the men of Israel got up from their places and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar, and the Israelites in ambush charged from their positions west of Gibeah.… Cross References Joshua 8:5-7 Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them. / They will pursue us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, ‘The Israelites are running away from us as they did before.’ So as we flee from them, / you are to rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand. 2 Samuel 2:18-23 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle, / and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit. / And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied. ... 2 Chronicles 13:13-15 Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them. / When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets, / and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. Joshua 8:15-16 Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness. / Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city. 1 Samuel 4:2-3 The Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield. / When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.” 2 Samuel 17:9-10 Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ / Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him. 2 Kings 3:22-24 When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way. / “This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!” / But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites. 1 Samuel 14:20-23 Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor. / And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps to join the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. / When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined the battle in close pursuit. ... 2 Samuel 10:9-14 When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. / “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. ... 1 Kings 20:29-30 For seven days the armies camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle ensued, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans—a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day. / The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room. 2 Chronicles 20:22-24 The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. / When the men of Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the vast army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped. Luke 21:34-36 But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. / For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. / So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” 1 Thessalonians 5:3 While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Matthew 24:43-44 But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect. 1 Corinthians 10:12 So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. Treasury of Scripture And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city to the highways. Joshua 8:15,16 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness… Jump to Previous Beginning Benjamin Benjaminites Benjamites Children City Defeating Draw Highways Israel Israelites Let's Retreat Routed Smitten Struck WayJump to Next Beginning Benjamin Benjaminites Benjamites Children City Defeating Draw Highways Israel Israelites Let's Retreat Routed Smitten Struck WayJudges 20 1. The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong8. The decree of the assembly 12. The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites 18. The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand 26. They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred. We are defeating them as before This phrase reflects the initial confidence of the Benjamites, who believed they were winning against the Israelites just as they had in previous encounters. The Hebrew root for "defeating" is "נָגַף" (nagaph), which means to strike or smite. Historically, this confidence was based on their earlier victories, which had emboldened them. However, this overconfidence would soon lead to their downfall, illustrating the biblical principle that pride often precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18). the Benjamites said But the Israelites said Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads Unto the highways.--This would have the double effect of allowing the ambuscade to cut off their retreat, and of dividing their forces at the point where the roads branched off. Verse 32. - And the children of Benjamin, etc. This verse is parenthetical, being explanatory of the conduct of both parties. The Benjamites pursued recklessly, because they thought the fight was going as on the two previous days; the Israelites fled in order to draw them to the highways, and so to enable the ambushment to get between the Benjamite army and the city.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “We are defeatingנִגָּפִ֥ים (nig·gā·p̄îm) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 5062: To push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict them as before,” הֵ֛ם (hêm) Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They said וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say the Benjamites. בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son But the Israelites וּבְנֵ֧י (ū·ḇə·nê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son said, אָמְר֗וּ (’ā·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “Let us retreat נָנ֙וּסָה֙ (nā·nū·sāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away and draw them away וּֽנְתַקְּנֻ֔הוּ (ū·nə·ṯaq·qə·nu·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural | third person masculine singular Strong's 5423: To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off from מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of the city הָעִ֖יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement onto אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the roads.” הַֽמְסִלּֽוֹת׃ (ham·sil·lō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 4546: A thoroughfare, a viaduct, a staircase Links Judges 20:32 NIVJudges 20:32 NLT Judges 20:32 ESV Judges 20:32 NASB Judges 20:32 KJV Judges 20:32 BibleApps.com Judges 20:32 Biblia Paralela Judges 20:32 Chinese Bible Judges 20:32 French Bible Judges 20:32 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 20:32 The children of Benjamin said They (Jd Judg. Jdg) |
    |