This verse from Judges 20:45 describes a battle and its aftermath during a civil war in Israel. Let's break it down:
"They turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon..." This refers to a group of soldiers (from the tribe of Benjamin, as the chapter describes) retreating. They are fleeing the battle and seeking refuge in the wilderness, specifically towards a rocky area called the Rock of Rimmon. This suggests they were routed and disorganized.
"...and they gleaned five thousand men of them in the highways..." The word "gleaned" here means to gather or collect. The pursuers (the rest of Israel) are going through the roadways, likely after the main battle, and rounding up 5,000 more Benjamite soldiers who were scattered or trying to escape.
"...and followed hard after them to Gidom, and struck two thousand men of them." The pursuers continue to chase the remaining fleeing soldiers as far as Gidom. There, they engage them in another battle or slaughter, killing another 2,000 men.
In summary, the verse depicts:
1. A defeated army fleeing.
2. The victorious army hunting down and killing the fleeing soldiers in two phases: first "gleaning" 5,000 from the roads, then engaging in a battle at Gidom and killing 2,000 more.
Key implications:
The civil war was extremely brutal. The victors were not merely defeating the enemy in battle but also actively pursuing and killing those who were trying to escape.
The tribe of Benjamin was suffering heavy losses. This verse illustrates the devastating impact of the war on them.
The verse contributes to the overall sense of chaos and violence that pervades the Book of Judges. It highlights the breakdown of order and the lack of a strong central authority in Israel at the time.
This verse from Judges 20:45 describes a battle and its aftermath during a civil war in Israel. Let's break it down:
"They turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon..." This refers to a group of soldiers (from the tribe of Benjamin, as the chapter describes) retreating. They are fleeing the battle and seeking refuge in the wilderness, specifically towards a rocky area called the Rock of Rimmon. This suggests they were routed and disorganized.
"...and they gleaned five thousand men of them in the highways..." The word "gleaned" here means to gather or collect. The pursuers (the rest of Israel) are going through the roadways, likely after the main battle, and rounding up 5,000 more Benjamite soldiers who were scattered or trying to escape.
"...and followed hard after them to Gidom, and struck two thousand men of them." The pursuers continue to chase the remaining fleeing soldiers as far as Gidom. There, they engage them in another battle or slaughter, killing another 2,000 men.
In summary, the verse depicts:
1. A defeated army fleeing.
2. The victorious army hunting down and killing the fleeing soldiers in two phases: first "gleaning" 5,000 from the roads, then engaging in a battle at Gidom and killing 2,000 more.
Key implications:
The civil war was extremely brutal. The victors were not merely defeating the enemy in battle but also actively pursuing and killing those who were trying to escape.
The tribe of Benjamin was suffering heavy losses. This verse illustrates the devastating impact of the war on them.
The verse contributes to the overall sense of chaos and violence that pervades the Book of Judges. It highlights the breakdown of order and the lack of a strong central authority in Israel at the time.
