Judges 20:21

KJV

And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} came forth {H3318} out of Gibeah {H1390}, and destroyed down {H7843} to the ground {H776} of the Israelites {H3478} that day {H3117} twenty {H6242} and two {H8147} thousand {H505} men {H376}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the army of Binyamin came out of Giv'ah and slaughtered the army of Isra'el; on that day 22,000 men fell.

Berean Standard Bible

And the Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down 22,000 Israelites on the battlefield that day.

American Standard Version

And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites on that day twenty and two thousand men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 20:21 dramatically recounts the devastating opening engagement of a brutal civil war within ancient Israel, where the tribe of Benjamin inflicted a shocking and unexpected defeat upon the combined forces of the other Israelite tribes. Emerging aggressively from Gibeah, the Benjamites "destroyed down to the ground" a staggering twenty-two thousand Israelite men on that day, marking a tragic and profound setback for those seeking justice against the wickedness that had ignited the conflict. This verse powerfully underscores the severe cost of unaddressed sin, the destructive power of internal strife, and the complex nature of divine judgment within God's chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 20:21 is situated at a pivotal and grim point within the book of Judges, serving as the climax of the deeply disturbing narrative of Israel's civil war (Judges 19-21). The preceding chapter, [Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine"), graphically details the horrific rape and murder of a Levite's concubine in Gibeah, a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. The Levite's subsequent dismemberment of her body and distribution of the pieces throughout Israel serves as a shocking call to action, inciting outrage among the other tribes. Chapter 20 opens with the united tribes of Israel gathering at Mizpah, demanding that Benjamin surrender the perpetrators from Gibeah for justice. However, Benjamin defiantly refuses, choosing instead to protect the wicked men, thereby escalating the crisis into a full-scale armed conflict. While the Israelites inquire of God and are instructed to "go up" against Benjamin ([Judges 20:18](/judges/20-18 "Judges 20:18 - Israel Inquires of God")), this verse records their shocking and unexpected initial defeat, setting a somber and perplexing tone for the ensuing conflict and raising questions about their approach to divine command.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Judges 20:21 unfold during the turbulent period of the Judges, an era characterized by a profound lack of central governmental authority and widespread moral and spiritual decay. The recurring refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")), perfectly encapsulates this chaotic time. This period was marked by tribal autonomy, sporadic and often flawed leadership, and a cyclical pattern of apostasy, divine judgment through foreign oppression, repentance, and temporary deliverance by a judge. The incident in Gibeah highlights the catastrophic breakdown of covenantal law, justice, and social order within Israel. Culturally, tribal solidarity was immensely strong, often overriding broader national or religious obligations. Benjamin's misguided loyalty to its own members, even in the face of a heinous crime and national outrage, demonstrates this misplaced allegiance, tragically leading to an internal conflict that threatened the very fabric of the Israelite confederacy and exposed the depths of their spiritual decline.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent throughout the book of Judges. Firstly, it starkly illustrates the **consequences of unaddressed sin**; the initial act of depravity in Gibeah, compounded by Benjamin's defiant refusal to dispense justice, spirals into a national catastrophe of unprecedented scale. Secondly, it highlights the complex theme of **divine judgment and discipline**, even for those who seemingly act with righteous intent. Despite inquiring of God and ostensibly acting on His command, Israel's initial defeat suggests a deeper lesson God intended for them—perhaps exposing their reliance on their own strength, their lack of true humility, or a need for more profound repentance before Him, as evidenced by their subsequent weeping and fasting ([Judges 20:23](/judges/20-23 "Judges 20:23 - Israel Weeps Before God")). Finally, the verse dramatically underscores the **destructive nature of internal strife** when justice, unity, and covenant faithfulness are abandoned. The slaughter of 22,000 Israelite men by their own brethren is a stark warning against division and a tragic testament to the moral and spiritual decline of the nation during this period, foreshadowing the need for a righteous king to bring order and true justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Children (Hebrew, _bên'_):** The Hebrew word בֵּן (_bên_) literally means "son," but in a broader sense, it refers to descendants, members of a group, or even a quality or condition. Here, "children of Benjamin" signifies the collective members or descendants of the tribe of Benjamin, emphasizing their tribal identity and solidarity. This term highlights the familial and communal nature of the conflict, as it was not merely an army, but a "family" of Israel fighting against another "family," underscoring the tragedy of the civil war.
* **Came forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** The verb יָצָא (_yâtsâʼ_) means "to go out," "to come forth," or "to proceed." In a military context, it often denotes marching out to battle or engaging in an offensive. Here, it highlights Benjamin's proactive and aggressive posture. They did not merely defend Gibeah from within its walls; they "came forth" to meet the Israelite forces in open battle, indicating their readiness and determination to engage in full-scale warfare, which ultimately led to their initial, shocking success. This offensive move underscores their defiance and confidence.
* **Destroyed (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁחַת (_shâchath_), translated here as "destroyed down to the ground," is a powerful and frequently used term in the Old Testament. It signifies not merely killing, but a comprehensive spoiling, corrupting, or laying waste. It implies utter ruin, devastation, and moral decay. In this context, it emphasizes the complete and decisive nature of Benjamin's victory on that day, indicating a thorough and brutal annihilation of the Israelite forces. Its use here underscores the severity of the defeat and the tragic extent of the internal destruction, portraying a scene of complete routing and devastation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah":** This clause establishes the identity of the victorious party – the tribe of Benjamin – and their strategic origin point, Gibeah. Crucially, it highlights their offensive posture; they did not wait to be besieged but actively "came forth" to confront the united Israelite army, demonstrating their resolve and perhaps an overconfidence that would be severely tested in subsequent days of the conflict.
* **"and destroyed down to the ground":** This phrase emphasizes the totality and brutality of the defeat inflicted by Benjamin. The verb "destroyed" (as analyzed above) signifies a complete routing and annihilation, indicating that the Israelite forces were not merely repelled but utterly vanquished, with many falling in battle. It paints a grim picture of the battlefield and the overwhelming nature of Benjamin's victory on this particular day.
* **"of the Israelites that day":** This specifies the victims of the attack – the united tribes of Israel, highlighting the internecine nature of the conflict – and the timeframe. The phrase "that day" is crucial, as it denotes the first day of what would become a multi-day conflict. This initial, shocking setback underscores that this was not the final outcome of the war, but a severe and humbling blow that set the stage for the subsequent narrative of Israel's perseverance and eventual, hard-won victory.
* **"twenty and two thousand men":** This precise numerical detail quantifies the immense human cost of this single engagement. The loss of 22,000 Israelite men in one day, at the hands of their own brethren, is a staggering figure that underscores the devastating impact of the civil war and the profound tragedy of Israel's internal division. It serves as a stark reminder of the high price paid for unaddressed sin, tribal defiance, and the breakdown of covenantal unity.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Judges 20:21 is imbued with significant literary devices that amplify its tragic impact and theological complexity. **Irony** is profoundly present, as the united tribes of Israel, acting with a seemingly righteous cause to exact justice for a heinous crime, suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of the very tribe they seek to discipline. This unexpected outcome subverts the reader's expectations and highlights a deeper divine purpose or a flaw in Israel's approach, demonstrating that even righteous intentions can be undermined by pride or a lack of true humility. Furthermore, the verse is steeped in **Tragedy**, depicting the horrific reality of internecine conflict. The precise number of casualties, "twenty and two thousand men," underscores the immense human cost and the self-inflicted wounds of a nation in moral decay. This dramatic portrayal serves as a stark warning against the consequences of unaddressed sin and internal division, presenting a bleak snapshot of Israel's spiritual and social decline and emphasizing the devastating consequences when God's people turn against each other.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 20:21 stands as a stark and sobering reminder of the profound and often devastating consequences of unaddressed sin, both individual and corporate. The Benjamites' defiant protection of the wicked men of Gibeah, coupled with the other tribes' flawed approach to justice (perhaps marked by presumption or a lack of full repentance), led to an internal conflict that tragically mirrored the moral decay of the entire nation. This shocking event underscores that God's people are not immune to judgment when they stray from His covenant and fail to uphold righteousness. It also highlights the danger of presumption, even when one believes they are acting on God's behalf; the Israelites' initial defeat suggests that their reliance on numbers or their own perceived righteousness was insufficient without true humility and complete dependence on divine guidance. God's allowance of their defeat served as a refining fire, leading them to deeper prayer and repentance before granting victory.

* [Proverbs 13:15](/proverbs/13-15 "Proverbs 13:15 - The Way of Transgressors is Hard")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")
* [1 Corinthians 1:10](/1_corinthians/1-10 "1 Corinthians 1:10 - Call to Unity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The grim account of Judges 20:21 serves as a sobering mirror for believers today, reflecting the profound dangers of unaddressed sin and internal disunity within any community, especially the body of Christ. Just as Benjamin's refusal to confront evil led to widespread devastation, so too can the unacknowledged or unrepented sins within our personal lives, families, or churches fester and erupt into destructive conflict. This passage compels us to prioritize biblical justice, genuine humility, and earnest reconciliation. It reminds us that even when we believe our cause is righteous, our methods and heart attitudes must align precisely with God's perfect will and character, not merely our own strength, zeal, or presumption. True spiritual victory often requires a season of humbling, confession, and repentance, acknowledging our own vulnerabilities and complete dependence on God, rather than relying solely on our numbers, intellect, or initial fervor. Ultimately, this passage calls us to cultivate a spirit of unity, forgiveness, and an unwavering commitment to biblical justice, recognizing that internal strife can be far more damaging and spiritually corrosive than any external opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might unaddressed sin, either personal or corporate, be silently eroding unity or spiritual health in my life or community?**
* **When I believe I am acting for a "righteous cause," how can I ensure my approach is marked by humility, prayer, and complete dependence on God, rather than self-reliance or presumption?**
* **What practical steps can I take to foster greater unity, reconciliation, and a commitment to biblical justice within my relationships, family, or church, even in the face of disagreement or past hurts?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Israelites lose the first battle despite God telling them to "go up" against Benjamin?**

Answer: This is a profound theological question that highlights the complex and often refining ways of God. While God did instruct Israel to "go up" against Benjamin ([Judges 20:18](/judges/20-18 "Judges 20:18 - Israel Inquires of God")), the initial defeats on the first two days (Judges 20:21, [Judges 20:25](/judges/20-25 "Judges 20:25 - Second Defeat of Israel")) suggest that their initial approach or heart attitude was flawed in God's eyes. It's plausible that the Israelites, despite having a righteous cause (seeking justice for a heinous crime), were relying on their overwhelming numbers and military might rather than truly humbling themselves and depending on God's power. Their subsequent weeping, fasting, and renewed inquiry before the Lord ([Judges 20:23](/judges/20-23 "Judges 20:23 - Israel Weeps Before God"), [Judges 20:26-28](/judges/20-26 "Judges 20:26-28 - Israel Weeps and Sacrifices")) indicate a necessary process of spiritual refinement. God may have allowed these defeats to humble them, expose any lingering pride or self-reliance, and lead them to a deeper, more desperate reliance on Him alone for victory, even in a just cause. It taught them that a divine command does not automatically guarantee immediate, effortless success, but often requires persistent faith, humble obedience, and a purified heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The chaos, moral decay, and self-destruction depicted in Judges 20:21, where "every man did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")), powerfully underscore Israel's desperate and inherent need for a true and righteous King. This internecine slaughter, born of unaddressed sin and a catastrophic failure of justice and unity, foreshadows the ultimate solution found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect King, not from a flawed human lineage, but the divine Son of God, who alone brings true justice, order, and lasting peace. Unlike the Israelites who struggled to deal with sin and division through their own might, Jesus is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly atoning for humanity's wickedness and reconciling us to God through His sacrificial death ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")). Furthermore, where tribal solidarity led to destructive conflict and division in Judges, Christ unites all believers into one spiritual body, breaking down every dividing wall of hostility and creating one new humanity ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). He is the ultimate answer to humanity's rebellion, disunity, and moral depravity, establishing a kingdom where righteousness and peace truly reign, fulfilling the profound longing for a just and unifying leader that the tragic narrative of the book of Judges so desperately highlights.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 20:25

And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.

Psalms 73:18

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Psalms 73:19

How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

Jeremiah 12:1

¶ Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of [thy] judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Ecclesiastes 9:1

¶ For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, [are] in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred [by] all [that is] before them.

Ecclesiastes 9:3

This [is] an evil among all [things] that are done under the sun, that [there is] one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness [is] in their heart while they live, and after that [they go] to the dead.

2 Chronicles 28:10

And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: [but are there] not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?