Judges 20:37
New International Version
Those who had been in ambush made a sudden dash into Gibeah, spread out and put the whole city to the sword.

New Living Translation
Then those who were hiding rushed in from all sides and killed everyone in the town.

English Standard Version
Then the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush moved out and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.

Berean Standard Bible
The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword.

King James Bible
And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

New King James Version
And the men in ambush quickly rushed upon Gibeah; the men in ambush spread out and struck the whole city with the edge of the sword.

New American Standard Bible
the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush also deployed and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.

NASB 1995
the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush also deployed and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.

NASB 1977
the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush also deployed and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah. Then the men in ambush deployed and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.

Amplified Bible
Then the men in ambush quickly rushed and attacked Gibeah; and the men in ambush also deployed and struck the entire city with the edge of the sword.

Christian Standard Bible
The men in ambush had rushed quickly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The men in ambush had rushed quickly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword.

American Standard Version
And the liers-in-wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers-in-wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

English Revised Version
And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The men in ambush quickly charged toward Gibeah. They spread out in the city and killed everyone.

Good News Translation
These men ran quickly toward Gibeah; they spread out in the city and killed everyone there.

International Standard Version
The soldiers in ambush rushed out to attack Gibeah, deploying in force and executing the entire city with swords.

Majority Standard Bible
The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword.

NET Bible
The men hiding in ambush made a mad dash to Gibeah. They attacked and put the sword to the entire city.

New Heart English Bible
The ambushers hurried, and rushed on Gibeah; and the ambushers drew themselves along, and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the liers in wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

World English Bible
The ambushers hurried, and rushed on Gibeah; then the ambushers spread out, and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the ambush has hurried, and pushes against Gibeah, and the ambush draws itself out, and strikes the whole of the city by the mouth of the sword.

Young's Literal Translation
and the ambush have hasted, and push against Gibeah, and the ambush draweth itself out, and smiteth the whole of the city by the mouth of the sword.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the ambush hasted, and they will spread out against Gibeah; and the ambush will draw out and will strike all the city with the mouth of the sword.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they that were in ambush arose on a sudden out of their coverts, and whilst Benjamin turned their backs to the slayers, went into the city, and smote it with the edge of the sword.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And after they had risen up suddenly from hiding, and those of Benjamin had turned their backs to those who cut them down, they entered the city, and they struck it with the edge of the sword.

New American Bible
Then the men in ambush, having made a sudden dash against Gibeah, marched in and put the whole city to the sword.

New Revised Standard Version
The troops in ambush rushed quickly upon Gibeah. Then they put the whole city to the sword.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the men who were in ambush quietly made an attack against Gibeah; then the men in ambush moved forward and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the ambush quietly fell on Gebah and the ambush walked and struck all the city with the mouth of the sword
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the liers-in-wait hastened, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers-in-wait drew forth, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And when they retreated, then the liers in wait rose up, and they moved toward Gabaa, and the whole ambush came forth, and they smote the city with the edge of the sword.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Civil War Against Benjamin
36Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah. 37The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword. 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,…

Cross References
Joshua 8:4-8
with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready. / 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, ...

Joshua 8:12
Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.

Joshua 8:19
and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire.

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 Samuel 10:9-10
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.

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.

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.

2 Chronicles 20:22-23
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.

Isaiah 37:36
Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!

Jeremiah 51:12
Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon.

Matthew 24:15-16
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.

Luke 21:20-21
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Romans 11:4
And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.


Treasury of Scripture

And the liers in wait hurried, and rushed on Gibeah; and the liers in wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

the liers in wait hasted.

Joshua 8:19
And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.

drew themselves along.

Exodus 19:13
There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

Joshua 6:5
And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

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Ambush Ambushers City Deployed Draweth Drew Edge Haste Hasted Hastened Hurried Itself Liers Mouth Moved Overrunning Push Rushed Rushing Smiteth Smote Spread Struck Sword Themselves Wait Watchers
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Ambush Ambushers City Deployed Draweth Drew Edge Haste Hasted Hastened Hurried Itself Liers Mouth Moved Overrunning Push Rushed Rushing Smiteth Smote Spread Struck Sword Themselves Wait Watchers
Judges 20
1. The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong
8. 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 ambush
The Hebrew word for "ambush" is "מַאֲרָב" (ma'arav), which refers to a hidden or secret attack. In the context of ancient warfare, an ambush was a strategic military tactic used to surprise and overpower the enemy. This reflects the cunning and strategic planning of the Israelites in their battle against the Benjamites. The use of an ambush demonstrates the importance of wisdom and strategy in overcoming challenges, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible.

quickly
The word "quickly" emphasizes the swiftness and urgency of the action taken by the ambush. In Hebrew, the concept of speed is often associated with decisiveness and the need to act in accordance with God's timing. This highlights the importance of being prepared and responsive to God's leading, as well as the necessity of acting promptly when the moment is right.

charged
The term "charged" conveys a sense of forceful and determined action. In the Hebrew context, this word would imply a vigorous and aggressive movement towards the objective. It reflects the courage and resolve of the Israelites as they executed their plan. This can inspire believers to approach their spiritual battles with the same determination and reliance on God's strength.

out of their position
This phrase indicates that the ambush was strategically placed and hidden until the right moment. The idea of being "out of their position" suggests a sudden and unexpected emergence, catching the enemy off guard. It underscores the element of surprise and the effectiveness of God's guidance in orchestrating events for His purposes.

advanced
The word "advanced" suggests progress and forward movement. In the context of this battle, it indicates the Israelites' movement towards victory. Spiritually, it can symbolize the believer's journey of faith, moving forward in trust and obedience to God's commands, advancing His kingdom on earth.

at Geba
Geba was a town in the territory of Benjamin, and its mention here provides a geographical context for the battle. The historical and archaeological significance of Geba adds depth to the narrative, reminding readers of the real places and events that form the backdrop of biblical history. It serves as a reminder of God's involvement in the specific details of our lives and His sovereignty over all places and times.

and deployed
The word "deployed" indicates the strategic arrangement of forces in preparation for battle. In Hebrew, this concept involves careful planning and positioning. It reflects the importance of being organized and ready for the tasks God sets before us, emphasizing the need for preparation and readiness in spiritual warfare.

to attack the entire city
This phrase highlights the comprehensive nature of the Israelites' assault. The focus on the "entire city" suggests a thorough and complete action, leaving no part untouched. It serves as a metaphor for the believer's call to fully commit to God's purposes, ensuring that every area of life is surrendered to His will and influence.

(37) Results of the ambuscade. (Comp. Joshua 8:15; Joshua 8:19-20.)

Drew themselves along.--The marginal suggestion, made a long sound with the trumpet, is untenable (See Judges 4:6.)

With The edge of the sword.--See Judges 1:8; Joshua 8:24. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The men in ambush
וְהָאֹרֵ֣ב (wə·hā·’ō·rêḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 693: To lie in wait

rushed
וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֖וּ (way·yip̄·šə·ṭū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid

suddenly
הֵחִ֔ישׁוּ (hê·ḥî·šū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2363: To hurry, to be eager with excitement, enjoyment

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Gibeah;
הַגִּבְעָ֑ה (hag·giḇ·‘āh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1390: Gibeah -- 'hill', three cities in Palestine

they
הָאֹרֵ֔ב (hā·’ō·rêḇ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 693: To lie in wait

advanced
וַיִּמְשֹׁךְ֙ (way·yim·šōḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4900: To draw, drag

and put
וַיַּ֥ךְ (way·yaḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

the whole
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

city
הָעִ֖יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

to the sword.
חָֽרֶב׃ (ḥā·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword


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OT History: Judges 20:37 The ambushers hurried and rushed on Gibeah (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 20:36
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