Judges 20:38 - Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambushers was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.
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What does "Judges 20:38" mean?
This verse from Judges 20:38 describes a prearranged signal used during a battle between the Israelites and the Benjamites. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambushers...": This tells us that there was a previously agreed-upon signal. The main Israelite army and a separate group laying in ambush (hidden, ready to attack) had decided on a specific action to communicate.
"...was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.": The signal was to be a large cloud of smoke billowing from the city. This meant the ambushers had successfully entered and taken control of the city. Once the main army saw this signal, they would know to turn around and join the ambushers in a full attack on the remaining Benjamite forces.
Context in Judges 20
To fully understand, consider the context of Judges 20:
The Conflict: The Israelites were at war with the tribe of Benjamin due to a horrific crime committed in the Benjamite city of Gibeah.
The Battle Plan: The Israelites had suffered heavy losses in direct attacks on the Benjamites. They devised a new strategy involving an ambush. A portion of their army was hidden near Gibeah, waiting for the signal.
The Signal's Purpose: The smoke signal was crucial for coordination. It informed the main army that the ambushers were in position and that the time to execute the final phase of the plan had arrived.
In summary, the verse describes a tactical maneuver relying on a visible signal to coordinate different elements of an army. The smoke was the prearranged cue for the main army to change course and attack, based on the success of the ambushers.
Judges 20:38 - Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambushers was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.
What does "Judges 20:38" mean?
This verse from Judges 20:38 describes a prearranged signal used during a battle between the Israelites and the Benjamites. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the ambushers...": This tells us that there was a previously agreed-upon signal. The main Israelite army and a separate group laying in ambush (hidden, ready to attack) had decided on a specific action to communicate.
"...was that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.": The signal was to be a large cloud of smoke billowing from the city. This meant the ambushers had successfully entered and taken control of the city. Once the main army saw this signal, they would know to turn around and join the ambushers in a full attack on the remaining Benjamite forces.
Context in Judges 20
To fully understand, consider the context of Judges 20:
The Conflict: The Israelites were at war with the tribe of Benjamin due to a horrific crime committed in the Benjamite city of Gibeah.
The Battle Plan: The Israelites had suffered heavy losses in direct attacks on the Benjamites. They devised a new strategy involving an ambush. A portion of their army was hidden near Gibeah, waiting for the signal.
The Signal's Purpose: The smoke signal was crucial for coordination. It informed the main army that the ambushers were in position and that the time to execute the final phase of the plan had arrived.
In summary, the verse describes a tactical maneuver relying on a visible signal to coordinate different elements of an army. The smoke was the prearranged cue for the main army to change course and attack, based on the success of the ambushers.