Judges 20:37 - The ambushers hurried, and rushed on Gibeah; then the ambushers spread out, and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.

Generated Verse: Judges 20:37

What does "Judges 20:37" mean?


This verse, Judges 20:37, describes a specific moment in the battle between the Israelites and the Benjamites over the horrific crime committed in Gibeah (the gang rape and murder of a Levite's concubine). Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"The ambushers hurried, and rushed on Gibeah...": This refers to a pre-arranged group of Israelite soldiers who were hidden in ambush near the city of Gibeah. They were waiting for a signal or opportunity to attack. The phrase "hurried and rushed" indicates that they moved quickly and decisively once the time was right, likely to surprise the Benjamites.

"...then the ambushers spread out...": After entering the city, the ambushers dispersed to cover more ground. This tactic would have made it more difficult for the Benjamites to organize a defense and allowed the Israelites to engage in a more widespread attack.

"...and struck all the city with the edge of the sword.": This is a grim statement describing the ruthless nature of the attack. "The edge of the sword" is a common biblical idiom for killing, particularly in warfare. The phrase "struck all the city" suggests a widespread slaughter, implying that the ambushers killed many of the inhabitants of Gibeah.

In essence, the verse depicts the execution of a planned military strategy. The ambushers, a concealed force, suddenly attacked Gibeah and carried out a brutal assault, killing many of its residents. This verse highlights the intensity and violence of the conflict between the Israelites and the Benjamites. It is important to interpret this verse within the context of the entire chapter and the preceding events to fully understand its significance in the narrative.

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