Judges 20:42 - Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel to the way of the wilderness; but the battle followed hard after them; and those who came out of the cities destroyed them in the middle of it.
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What does "Judges 20:42" mean?
This verse from Judges 20:42 describes the Benjamites' retreat after suffering losses in battle against the other tribes of Israel. Let's break it down:
"Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel to the way of the wilderness;" This indicates that the Benjamites, facing defeat, began to flee the battlefield, heading towards the wilderness. This was likely their attempt to escape and regroup, perhaps seeking refuge in the sparsely populated areas. They were retreating in a disordered fashion, making them vulnerable.
"but the battle followed hard after them;" The Israelites pursued the fleeing Benjamites relentlessly. They weren't giving the Benjamites any respite or chance to reorganize. The Israelites were determined to press their advantage.
"and those who came out of the cities destroyed them in the middle of it." This is a crucial detail. It suggests that the Israelite forces not only pursued the Benjamites in the open field but also sent out troops from the nearby cities (likely those that had been spared from the initial Benjamite attacks). These Israelite troops emerged from the cities and ambushed the retreating Benjamites in the midst of their flight. "In the middle of it" likely refers to the terrain between the battlefield and the wilderness, indicating that the Benjamites were caught in a crossfire.
In summary: The Benjamites, facing defeat, retreated towards the wilderness. However, the Israelites relentlessly pursued them, and troops from the Israelite cities ambushed them, leading to further destruction of the Benjamite forces during their escape. It paints a picture of a desperate retreat and a devastating loss for the Benjamites. The Benjamites were caught between the pursuing Israelite army and ambush parties from the cities.
Judges 20:42 - Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel to the way of the wilderness; but the battle followed hard after them; and those who came out of the cities destroyed them in the middle of it.
What does "Judges 20:42" mean?
This verse from Judges 20:42 describes the Benjamites' retreat after suffering losses in battle against the other tribes of Israel. Let's break it down:
"Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel to the way of the wilderness;" This indicates that the Benjamites, facing defeat, began to flee the battlefield, heading towards the wilderness. This was likely their attempt to escape and regroup, perhaps seeking refuge in the sparsely populated areas. They were retreating in a disordered fashion, making them vulnerable.
"but the battle followed hard after them;" The Israelites pursued the fleeing Benjamites relentlessly. They weren't giving the Benjamites any respite or chance to reorganize. The Israelites were determined to press their advantage.
"and those who came out of the cities destroyed them in the middle of it." This is a crucial detail. It suggests that the Israelite forces not only pursued the Benjamites in the open field but also sent out troops from the nearby cities (likely those that had been spared from the initial Benjamite attacks). These Israelite troops emerged from the cities and ambushed the retreating Benjamites in the midst of their flight. "In the middle of it" likely refers to the terrain between the battlefield and the wilderness, indicating that the Benjamites were caught in a crossfire.
In summary: The Benjamites, facing defeat, retreated towards the wilderness. However, the Israelites relentlessly pursued them, and troops from the Israelite cities ambushed them, leading to further destruction of the Benjamite forces during their escape. It paints a picture of a desperate retreat and a devastating loss for the Benjamites. The Benjamites were caught between the pursuing Israelite army and ambush parties from the cities.