Judges 20:41

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then, as the men of Isra'el reversed direction, those of Binyamin were overcome with terror. When they saw that disaster had come upon them,

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the men of Israel turned back on them, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had come upon them.

American Standard Version:

And the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed; for they saw that evil was come upon them.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And when the men^{H376} of Israel^{H3478} turned again^{H2015}, the men^{H376} of Benjamin^{H1144} were amazed^{H926}: for they saw^{H7200} that evil^{H7451} was come^{H5060} upon them.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Judges 20:41

Judges 20:41 is part of a larger narrative found in Judges 19-21, which describes a period of moral and social decay in Israel. The verse is situated within a gruesome and tragic story that begins with the rape and murder of a Levite's concubine, leading to a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel.

In the verse, the men of Israel had been pursuing the men of Benjamin in battle, but initially, they suffered heavy losses. However, after seeking God's guidance and employing a different military strategy, the Israelites were able to push back the Benjamites. When the men of Israel turned again, likely indicating a strategic maneuver or a renewed attack, the men of Benjamin were taken by surprise. The phrase "the men of Benjamin were amazed" reflects their shock and dismay at the sudden turn of events. The realization that "evil was come upon them" suggests that the Benjamites understood they were facing divine judgment for their refusal to hand over the perpetrators of the heinous crime that sparked the conflict.

The broader context of this verse speaks to the themes of justice, retribution, and the consequences of sin. It also highlights the cyclical nature of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance seen throughout the book of Judges. The story serves as a stark warning against the breakdown of societal norms and the importance of accountability within the community of Israel. It reflects a time when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25), leading to chaos and divine disfavor. This period was marked by a lack of central leadership, which contributed to the moral ambiguity and intertribal conflict depicted in the narrative.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2015
   There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָפַךְ
   Transliteration: hâphak
   Pronunciation: haw-fak'
   Description: a primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert; [idiom] become, change, come, be converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse, retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary, every way).
   
4. Strong's Number: H1144
   There are 156 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בִּנְיָמִין
   Transliteration: Binyâmîyn
   Pronunciation: bin-yaw-mene'
   Description: from בֵּן and יָמִין; son of (the) right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Benjamin.
   
5. Strong's Number: H926
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּהַל
   Transliteration: bâhal
   Pronunciation: baw-hal'
   Description: a primitive root; to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously; be (make) affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make) haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble, vex.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7451
   There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַע
   Transliteration: raʻ
   Pronunciation: rah
   Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
   
8. Strong's Number: H5060
   There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַע
   Transliteration: nâgaʻ
   Pronunciation: naw-gah'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.); beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.