Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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.” New Living Translation When the Israelites saw the smoke, they turned and attacked Benjamin’s warriors. By that time Benjamin’s warriors had killed about thirty Israelites, and they shouted, “We’re defeating them as we did in the first battle!” English Standard Version the men of Israel should turn in battle. Now Benjamin had begun to strike and kill about thirty men of Israel. They said, “Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.” Berean Standard Bible the men of Israel would turn in the battle. When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.” Berean Literal Bible and the men of Israel would turn in the battle. And Benjamin had begun to strike and kill of the men of Israel—about thirty men—for they said, “Surely he is utterly struck before us, as in the first battle.” King James Bible And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle. New King James Version whereupon the men of Israel would turn in battle. Now Benjamin had begun to strike and kill about thirty of the men of Israel. For they said, “Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.” New American Standard Bible Then the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike and kill about thirty men of Israel, for they said, “Undoubtedly they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.” NASB 1995 Then the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike and kill about thirty men of Israel, for they said, “Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.” NASB 1977 Then the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike and kill about thirty men of Israel, for they said, “Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.” Legacy Standard Bible So the men of Israel had turned around in the battle, and Benjamin had begun to strike and slay about thirty men of Israel, for they said, “Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.” Amplified Bible So the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike and kill about thirty men of Israel, for they said, “Certainly they are defeated before us as in the first battle!” Berean Annotated Bible the men of Israel (he wrestles with God) would turn in the battle. When the Benjamites (son of the right hand) had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle. Christian Standard Bible the men of Israel would return to the battle. When Benjamin had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They’re defeated before us, just as they were in the first battle.” Holman Christian Standard Bible the men of Israel would return to the battle. When Benjamin had begun to strike them down, killing about 30 men of Israel, they said, “They’re defeated before us, just as they were in the first battle.” American Standard Version And the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons; for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle. English Revised Version And the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.: GOD'S WORD® Translation Then the men of Israel would turn around in the battle. The men of Benjamin had already killed about 30 men of Israel. They even said, "Israel is completely defeated, just like in the first battle." Good News Translation the Israelites out on the battlefield were to turn around. By this time the Benjaminites had already killed the thirty Israelites. They told themselves, "Yes, we've beaten them just as before." International Standard Version The army of Israel turned around in the battle, and the army of Benjamin began to attack and kill about 30 soldiers, thinking, "Now we're really defeating them, just like before." NET Bible the Israelites counterattacked. Benjamin had begun to strike down the Israelites; they struck down about thirty men. They said, "There's no doubt about it! They are totally defeated as in the earlier battle." New Heart English Bible The men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons; for they said, "Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle." Webster's Bible Translation And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblethe men of Israel would turn in the battle. When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.” World English Bible The men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons; for they said, “Surely they are struck down before us, as in the first battle.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the men of Israel turn in battle, and Benjamin has begun to strike the wounded among the men of Israel, about thirty men, for they said, “Surely they are utterly struck before us, as [at] the first battle”; Berean Literal Bible and the men of Israel would turn in the battle. And Benjamin had begun to strike and kill of the men of Israel—about thirty men—for they said, “Surely he is utterly struck before us, as in the first battle.” Young's Literal Translation And the men of Israel turn in battle, and Benjamin hath begun to smite the wounded among the men of Israel, about thirty men, for they said, 'Surely they are utterly smitten before us, as at the first battle; Smith's Literal Translation And the men of Israel will turn about in the battle, and Benjamin began to strike the wounded among the men of Israel, about thirty men: for they said, Surely, smiting, he was smitten as the first battle. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when the children of Israel saw this in the battle (for the children of Benjamin thought they fled and pursued them vigorously, killing thirty men of their army) Catholic Public Domain Version And then, the sons of Israel discerned this sign during the battle (for the sons of Benjamin had thought that they fled, and they pursued them forcefully, cutting down thirty men from their army). New American Bible and the men of Israel would then wheel about in the battle. Benjamin, having begun by killing off some thirty of the men of Israel, thought, “Surely they are completely routed before us, as in the earlier fighting.” New Revised Standard Version the main body of Israel should turn in battle. But Benjamin had begun to inflict casualties on the Israelites, killing about thirty of them; so they thought, “Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when the men of Israel retreated in the battle, the Benjamites killed of the men of Israel about thirty men; for they said. Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the men of Israel returned from battle and Benjamin began to cast down thirty men, slain of Israel, because they said: “Surely they are defeated from before us, as in the first battle!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons; for they said: 'Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And the children of Israel saw that the liers in wait had seized Gabaa, and they stood in line of battle; and Benjamin began to smite down wounded ones among the men of Israel about thirty men; for they said, Surely they fall again before us, as in the first battle. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Civil War Against Benjamin…38The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, 39the men of Israel would turn in the battle. When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.” 40But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke.… Cross References the men of Israel would turn in the battle. Psalm 78:9 The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle. Joshua 7:8 O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies? Deuteronomy 28:25 The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will march out against them in one direction but flee from them in seven. You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth. When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down, 1 Samuel 4:2 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. 2 Samuel 2:17 The battle that day was intense, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David. 2 Chronicles 13:15 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. killing about thirty men of Israel, 1 Samuel 14:14 In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land. 1 Samuel 4:10 So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and each man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great—thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. 2 Samuel 2:31 but they had struck down 360 Benjamites who were with Abner. they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.” Joshua 8:6 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, Joshua 8:14 When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city. Joshua 8:15 Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness. 2 Samuel 5:23-25 So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. / As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” / So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 2 Kings 3:24-27 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. / They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well. / When the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they could not prevail. … Judges 4:16 Then Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth-hagoyim, and the whole army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a single man was left. Judges 8:20-21 So he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword; he was fearful because he was still a youth. / Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Get up and kill us yourself, for as the man is, so is his strength.” So Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent ornaments from the necks of their camels. Treasury of Scripture And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle. And when Judges 20:31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel. Jump to Previous Battle Begun Benjamin Benjamites Casualties Death Defeated Defeating Inflict Israel Kill Overcome Persons Retired Smite Smitten Strike Struck Surely Thirty Turn Turned Utterly WoundedJump to Next Battle Begun Benjamin Benjamites Casualties Death Defeated Defeating Inflict Israel Kill Overcome Persons Retired Smite Smitten Strike Struck Surely Thirty Turn Turned Utterly WoundedJudges 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. the men of Israel would turn in the battle. This phrase indicates a strategic maneuver by the Israelites. In the context of ancient warfare, turning in battle could imply a feigned retreat, a tactic used to draw the enemy into a vulnerable position. This strategy is reminiscent of Joshua's tactics at Ai (Joshua 8:15-19), where a similar feigned retreat led to victory. The Israelites' decision to turn in battle reflects their reliance on divine guidance and strategic planning, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and discernment in warfare. When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down, killing about thirty men of Israel, they said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.” Persons / Places / Events 1. Men of IsraelThe collective tribes of Israel, excluding Benjamin, who were engaged in a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin due to the grievous sin committed in Gibeah. 2. Benjamin One of the twelve tribes of Israel, which was defending itself against the other tribes due to the incident involving the Levite's concubine in Gibeah. 3. Battle The conflict between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes, which was part of a larger account of judgment and justice within Israel. 4. Gibeah The city in the territory of Benjamin where the initial atrocity occurred, leading to the civil war. 5. First Battle Refers to the initial encounter between the Israelites and the Benjamites, where the Benjamites were victorious, leading to overconfidence in this subsequent battle. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinSin has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only individuals but entire communities. The initial sin in Gibeah led to a devastating civil war. The Danger of Overconfidence The Benjamites' initial victory led to overconfidence, which ultimately contributed to their downfall. Pride can blind us to our vulnerabilities. The Importance of Seeking God's Guidance The Israelites sought God's counsel before battle, reminding us of the importance of seeking divine guidance in our decisions. The Role of Justice and Mercy While justice was sought against Benjamin, the account also calls us to consider the balance of justice and mercy in our own lives. Unity Among Believers The division among the tribes of Israel serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of unity and reconciliation within the body of Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 20:39?2. How does Judges 20:39 illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God's commands? 3. What strategic lessons can we learn from Israel's battle tactics in Judges 20:39? 4. How does Judges 20:39 connect to God's justice throughout the book of Judges? 5. In what ways can we apply the lessons of Judges 20:39 to modern conflicts? 6. How does "the men of Israel turned in battle" demonstrate reliance on God's plan? 7. How does Judges 20:39 reflect God's justice in the Old Testament? 8. What does Judges 20:39 reveal about the nature of divine intervention in battles? 9. How should Christians interpret the violence depicted in Judges 20:39? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 20? 11. Judges 20 (entire chapter) - Is there any archeological evidence supporting so great a civil war among the tribes of Israel, or are the events purely literary? 12. Judges 20:18-23 - Why would God direct Israel to attack Benjamin, allow defeat twice, and then finally grant them victory on the third attempt? 13. Judges 5:20: How can we reconcile the statement that 'the stars fought' with scientific understanding of celestial bodies? 14. Why does the text promote the abduction of women as a solution for the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 21:20-23)? What Does Judges 20:39 Mean The men of Israel would turn in the battle“Now the men of Israel had arranged that those in ambush should rise at a signal, and the men of Israel would turn in the battle…” (Judges 20:38–39a) • “Turn” describes a deliberate feigned retreat—a tactic already laid out in vv. 29–30. • This strategy echoes Joshua’s maneuver at Ai, where the army “fled before the men of Ai” to draw them out (Joshua 8:15–17). • The plan shows careful obedience to the Lord’s guidance (Judges 20:28) and contrasts with the earlier, uncoordinated assaults (vv. 18–25). By turning, Israel lures Benjamin away from Gibeah, clearing the field for the hidden ambush to ignite the city (v. 38). • Practical takeaway: God sometimes uses apparent setbacks to accomplish decisive victory (Romans 8:28). When the Benjamites had begun to strike them down • Benjamin believes it is witnessing a third straight rout. Earlier they had killed 22,000 (v. 21) and 18,000 (v. 25). • The text underlines how convincing Israel’s retreat was; Benjamin “had begun” to cut them down, exactly as planned (Judges 20:31). • Cross-reference Judges 20:32, where Benjamin says, “They are defeated before us,” revealing overconfidence. Compare with Pharaoh pressing Israel to the Red Sea (Exodus 14:5–9). • Lesson: God allows an enemy temporary success to expose pride and set the stage for justice (Psalm 37:12-15). Killing about thirty men of Israel • The casualties are far smaller than on the prior days, underscoring that Israel’s losses are now controlled and purposeful. • Thirty deaths bought Israel time to complete the ambush. Strategy does not erase real cost, reminding us that obedience can still involve sacrifice (Luke 14:27-33). • The number also heightens dramatic irony: Benjamin assumes another easy win, unaware that its own defeat is moments away (1 Corinthians 10:12). They said, “They are defeated before us as in the first battle.” • Benjamin interprets Israel’s flight exactly as Israel intended. Their confidence mirrors the Philistines’ early triumph when “Israel was defeated” and lost 4,000 men (1 Samuel 4:2). • Pride blinds them to the looming judgment (Proverbs 16:18). While Benjamin celebrates, the signal—smoke rising from Gibeah (Judges 20:40)—will reverse the momentum. • The phrase “as in the first battle” shows how past success can create a false security if God’s hand has turned (Isaiah 10:12-13). • Application: victories without repentance can harden the heart; true security rests not in past triumphs but in present alignment with God’s will (James 4:6-10). summary Judges 20:39 captures the pivotal moment of Israel’s civil war. Israel’s feigned retreat, Benjamin’s premature confidence, the modest casualty count, and Benjamin’s boastful declaration all converge to illustrate how God can use strategic obedience to overturn entrenched sin. What looks like defeat for the faithful is often the doorway to God’s decisive deliverance, while prideful reliance on yesterday’s victories leaves the unrepentant exposed to judgment. (39) And when the men of Israel retired.--This merely repeats with more graphic details the fact already mentioned in Judges 20:31. The "when" should be omitted, and from "Benjamin began" to the end of the next verse is parenthetic.Hebrew the menאִֽישׁ־ (’îš-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc would turn וַיַּהֲפֹ֥ךְ (way·ya·hă·p̄ōḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert in the battle. בַּמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (bam·mil·ḥā·māh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4421: A battle, war When the Benjamites וּבִנְיָמִ֡ן (ū·ḇin·yā·min) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites had begun הֵחֵל֩ (hê·ḥêl) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play to strike them down, לְהַכּ֨וֹת (lə·hak·kō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 5221: To strike killing חֲלָלִ֤ים (ḥă·lā·lîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted about thirty כִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים (kiš·lō·šîm) Preposition-k | Number - common plural Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth men בְּאִֽישׁ־ (bə·’îš-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc they said, אָמְר֔וּ (’ā·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “They are הוּא֙ (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are defeated נִגּ֨וֹף (nig·gō·wp̄) Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 5062: To push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict before us לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ (lə·p̄ā·nê·nū) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 6440: The face as in the first הָרִאשֹׁנָֽה׃ (hā·ri·šō·nāh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank battle.” כַּמִּלְחָמָ֖ה (kam·mil·ḥā·māh) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4421: A battle, war Links Judges 20:39 NIVJudges 20:39 NLT Judges 20:39 ESV Judges 20:39 NASB Judges 20:39 KJV Judges 20:39 BibleApps.com Judges 20:39 Biblia Paralela Judges 20:39 Chinese Bible Judges 20:39 French Bible Judges 20:39 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 20:39 The men of Israel turned (Jd Judg. 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