Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But when the column of smoke began to rise from the city, the Benjamites turned and saw the whole city going up in smoke. New Living Translation But when the warriors of Benjamin looked behind them and saw the smoke rising into the sky from every part of the town, English Standard Version But when the signal began to rise out of the city in a column of smoke, the Benjaminites looked behind them, and behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven. Berean Standard Bible But 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. King James Bible But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven. New King James Version But when the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and there was the whole city going up in smoke to heaven. New American Standard Bible But when the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, Benjamin looked behind them; and behold, the entire city was going up in smoke to heaven. NASB 1995 But when the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, Benjamin looked behind them; and behold, the whole city was going up in smoke to heaven. NASB 1977 But when the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, Benjamin looked behind them; and behold, the whole city was going up in smoke to heaven. Legacy Standard Bible But the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, and Benjamin turned behind them; and behold, the whole city was going up in smoke to heaven. Amplified Bible But when the [signal] cloud began to rise out of the city in a column of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and behold, the entire city went up in smoke to heaven. Christian Standard Bible But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, Benjamin looked behind them, and the whole city was going up in smoke. Holman Christian Standard Bible But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, Benjamin looked behind them, and the whole city was going up in smoke. American Standard Version But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and, behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven. English Revised Version But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven. GOD'S WORD® Translation But when the column of smoke started to rise from the city, the men of Benjamin turned around and saw the whole city going up in smoke. Good News Translation Then the signal appeared; a cloud of smoke began to go up from the town. The Benjaminites looked behind them and were amazed to see the whole city going up in flames. International Standard Version But then the smoke began to rise from the city in a column. The army of Benjamin observed behind them that the whole city was going up in flames straight into the sky! Majority Standard Bible But 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. NET Bible But when the signal, a pillar of smoke, began to rise up from the city, the Benjaminites turned around and saw the whole city going up in a cloud of smoke that rose high into the sky. New Heart English Bible But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and look, the whole city went up in smoke into the sky. Webster's Bible Translation But when the flame began to rise from the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjaminites looked behind them, and behold, the flame of the city ascended to heaven. World English Bible But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and behold, the whole city went up in smoke to the sky. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbut the volume has begun to go up from the city—a pillar of smoke—and Benjamin turns behind, and behold, the perfection of the city has gone up toward the heavens. Young's Literal Translation and the volume hath begun to go up from the city -- a pillar of smoke -- and Benjamin turneth behind, and lo, gone up hath the perfection of the city toward the heavens. Smith's Literal Translation And the ascending began to go up from the city of the pillar of smoke, and Benjamin will turn behind, and behold, the whole city ascended up to the heavens. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd perceived as it were a pillar of smoke rise up from the city; and Benjamin looking back, saw that the city was taken, and that the flames ascended on high: Catholic Public Domain Version And they saw something like a pillar of smoke ascending from the city. Likewise, Benjamin, looking back, discerned that the city was captured, for the flames were being carried on high. New American Bible But when the signal, the column of smoke, began to rise up from the city, Benjamin looked back and there was the whole city going up in smoke toward heaven. New Revised Standard Version But when the cloud, a column of smoke, began to rise out of the city, the Benjaminites looked behind them—and there was the whole city going up in smoke toward the sky! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut when the smoke began to rise out of the city like a pillar, the Benjamites looked behind them, and. behold, the flames of the city ascended up to heaven. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And smoke began to go up from the city like a pillar, and the sons of Benjamin turned their back, and behold, dense smoke of the city went up unto Heaven OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But when the beacon began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the signal went up increasingly over the city as a pillar of smoke; and Benjamin looked behind him, and behold the destruction of the city went up to heaven. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Civil War Against Benjamin…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.” 40 But 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. 41Then the men of Israel turned back on them, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had come upon them.… Cross References Genesis 19:28 He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain, and he saw the smoke rising from the land like smoke from a furnace. Joshua 8:20 When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers. Isaiah 34:10 It will not be quenched—day or night. Its smoke will ascend forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever again pass through it. Jeremiah 50:40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighbors,” declares the LORD, “no one will dwell there; no man will abide there. Amos 4:11 “Some of you I overthrew as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a firebrand snatched from a blaze, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. Revelation 18:9 Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. Revelation 18:18 and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. 2 Peter 3:10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. Matthew 24:15-18 So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. ... Luke 17:29-30 But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. / It will be just like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 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. Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. Jeremiah 51:58 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.” Ezekiel 38:22 I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. Zephaniah 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth. Treasury of Scripture But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven. a pillar Genesis 19:28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. Song of Solomon 3:6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? Joel 2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. Joshua 8:20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. Jump to Previous Arise Ascended Beacon Begun Benjamin Benjaminites Benjamites City Cloud Column Heaven Pillar Rise Sign Signal Sky Smoke Turned Turning Volume WholeJump to Next Arise Ascended Beacon Begun Benjamin Benjaminites Benjamites City Cloud Column Heaven Pillar Rise Sign Signal Sky Smoke Turned Turning Volume WholeJudges 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. But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the battle between the Israelites and the Benjamites. The column of smoke served as a prearranged signal for the Israelite forces. In ancient warfare, such signals were crucial for coordinating attacks, especially in the absence of modern communication methods. The use of smoke as a signal is also seen in other biblical contexts, such as the pillar of cloud that guided the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). This imagery of smoke rising can symbolize divine intervention or judgment, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:28). the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke Persons / Places / Events 1. The BenjamitesA tribe of Israel, known for their skilled warriors. In this context, they are engaged in a civil war against the other Israelite tribes due to the grievous sin committed in Gibeah. 2. The Israelites The collective tribes of Israel, excluding Benjamin, who have gathered to execute judgment on the Benjamites for their refusal to surrender the perpetrators of a heinous crime. 3. Gibeah A city in the territory of Benjamin, where the initial crime that sparked the conflict took place. It becomes the focal point of the battle and the site of the smoke signal. 4. The Battle A significant conflict between the tribe of Benjamin and the rest of Israel, resulting from the moral outrage over the events in Gibeah. 5. The Column of Smoke A prearranged signal indicating the successful attack on Gibeah, leading to the turning point in the battle. Teaching Points The Consequences of SinThe destruction of Gibeah serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences that sin can bring upon a community. It underscores the importance of addressing sin and seeking repentance. Unity in Righteous Judgment The collective action of the Israelite tribes demonstrates the necessity of unity when confronting evil. It highlights the role of the community in upholding justice and righteousness. Divine Justice The turning point in the battle, marked by the smoke signal, illustrates God's sovereignty and justice. It reassures believers that God is in control and will ultimately bring about justice. The Power of Symbolism The column of smoke is a powerful symbol of both victory and destruction. It serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and strategic planning in achieving God's purposes.(40) When the flame began to arise up.--Rather, when the column (of smoke), as in Judges 20:38. The flame of the city.--Literally, the whole of the city--i.e., the universal conflagration--a very powerful expression. (LXX., ????????? ??? ??????.) Hebrew But when the columnעַמּ֣וּד (‘am·mūḏ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5982: A column, a stand, platform of smoke עָשָׁ֑ן (‘ā·šān) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6227: Smoke began הֵחֵ֛לָּה (hê·ḥêl·lāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play to go up לַעֲל֥וֹת (la·‘ă·lō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively 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 the Benjamites בִּנְיָמִן֙ (bin·yā·min) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites looked וַיִּ֤פֶן (way·yi·p̄en) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look behind them אַחֲרָ֔יו (’a·ḥă·rāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 310: The hind or following part and saw וְהִנֵּ֛ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! the whole כְלִיל־ (ḵə·lîl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3632: Complete, the whole, as, fully city הָעִ֖יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement going up עָלָ֥ה (‘ā·lāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively in smoke. הַשָּׁמָֽיְמָה׃ (haš·šā·mā·yə·māh) Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky Links Judges 20:40 NIVJudges 20:40 NLT Judges 20:40 ESV Judges 20:40 NASB Judges 20:40 KJV Judges 20:40 BibleApps.com Judges 20:40 Biblia Paralela Judges 20:40 Chinese Bible Judges 20:40 French Bible Judges 20:40 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 20:40 But when the cloud began to arise (Jd Judg. 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