Judges 20:48

KJV

And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of [every] city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} turned again {H7725} upon the children {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144}, and smote {H5221} them with the edge {H6310} of the sword {H2719}, as well the men {H4974} of every city {H5892}, as {H5704} the beast {H929}, and all that came to hand {H4672}: also they set {H7971} on fire {H784} all the cities {H5892} that they came to {H4672}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The men of Isra'el turned back on the people of Binyamin and killed them with the sword, the entire city, the cattle and everything they found. Moreover, they set on fire all the cities they encountered.

Berean Standard Bible

And the men of Israel turned back against the other Benjamites and put to the sword all the cities, including the animals and everything else they found. And they burned down all the cities in their path.

American Standard Version

And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, both the entire city, and the cattle, and all that they found: moreover all the cities which they found they set on fire.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 20:48 concludes the devastating civil war between the united tribes of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, detailing the comprehensive and brutal retribution exacted by the victorious Israelites. This verse describes the systematic slaughter of all remaining inhabitants—men, women, and animals—within Benjaminite cities, and the complete incineration of their settlements. It marks the near-total annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin, serving as a grim testament to the catastrophic consequences of unrepentant corporate sin and the refusal to uphold justice within God's covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 20:48 serves as the grim climax to the narrative of the civil war against Benjamin, which spans [Judges 19](/judges/19 "Judges 19 - The Levite and His Concubine") and [Judges 20](/judges/20 "Judges 20 - Israel's War Against Benjamin"). Following the horrific atrocity in Gibeah (Judges 19), the united tribes of Israel sought justice from Benjamin, who defiantly refused to surrender the perpetrators. After two initial defeats, Israel finally prevailed through divine intervention and strategic planning, leading to the rout of the Benjamite army (Judges 20:44-47), with only 600 men escaping to the rock of Rimmon. This verse, therefore, describes the subsequent and final phase of the retribution: a systematic campaign of total destruction against the remaining Benjamite population and their cities, moving beyond the battlefield to an act of complete obliteration. It directly precedes and sets the stage for the profound regret and desperate measures taken in [Judges 21](/judges/21 "Judges 21 - Preserving the Remnant of Benjamin") to preserve the tribe from complete extinction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges was characterized by a profound lack of central authority and widespread moral and spiritual decay, famously summarized by the refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 17:6](/judges/17-6 "Judges 17:6 - No King in Israel") and [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes")). The events leading to this verse, particularly the Gibeah incident, reflect a society that had descended into depravity reminiscent of Sodom ([Genesis 19:4-9](/genesis/19-4 "Genesis 19:4-9 - Wickedness of Sodom")). The concept of *herem*, or "devotion to destruction," typically applied to foreign, idolatrous nations, is tragically turned inward against a fellow Israelite tribe. This illustrates the severity with which Israel viewed Benjamin's corporate sin and their refusal to uphold covenant justice. The total destruction of cities and populations, including women, children, and livestock, was a brutal, though common, practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare, often intended to eliminate any future threat and serve as a stark warning.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 20:48 powerfully underscores several critical themes within the book. Firstly, it highlights the **devastating consequences of unchecked sin and corporate moral decay**. Benjamin's defiant protection of the wicked within their borders, despite repeated calls for justice, led directly to their near-annihilation. Secondly, the verse vividly portrays the **brutality and destructive power of internal conflict and civil war**. The conflict, born from a failure of justice and a breakdown of communal responsibility, resulted in a level of devastation that far exceeded any external threat Israel faced during this period. The thoroughness of the destruction—men, beasts, and cities—emphasizes the depth of the Israelites' retribution, reflecting both their righteous indignation and perhaps a descent into vengeance. Finally, it serves as a stark illustration of **divine judgment** upon a people who had abandoned God's law and embraced depravity, even when that judgment is executed by human hands. This sets the stage for the subsequent narrative of regret and the desperate measures taken in [Judges 21](/judges/21 "Judges 21 - Preserving the Remnant of Benjamin") to preserve the remnant of Benjamin, underscoring the deep theological and social implications of their actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, נָכָה, _nāḵāh'_):** This verb is frequently used in biblical narratives of warfare, carrying the meaning "to strike, smite, beat, or kill." In this context, combined with "edge of the sword," it denotes a decisive and lethal blow, signifying a comprehensive and merciless slaughter. The consistent use of this term throughout the account of the war against Benjamin emphasizes the violent and destructive nature of the conflict, culminating in the complete extermination of those encountered.
* **Edge of the sword (Hebrew, פִּי חֶרֶב, _pî ḥerev'_):** This is a powerful and common Hebrew idiom, literally translating to "mouth of the sword." It vividly personifies the sword as a devouring entity, signifying complete and utter destruction by the blade. Its use here underscores the ruthlessness and thoroughness of the attack, indicating that no quarter was given and that the slaughter was exhaustive, leaving no survivors from the targeted population.
* **All that came to hand (Hebrew, כָּל־הַנִּמְצָא, _kol-hannimṣa'_):** This phrase emphasizes the totality and comprehensiveness of the destruction. It means "everything found" or "everyone encountered," extending the scope of the slaughter beyond just the men and beasts to include women, children, and any other living thing within their reach. This hyperbole highlights the extreme nature of the retribution, leaving nothing alive in the path of the advancing Israelite forces and underscoring the complete devastation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin,"**: After the main Benjamite army was defeated and the 600 survivors fled to the rock of Rimmon (Judges 20:47), this clause indicates a deliberate and systematic follow-up operation. The "men of Israel" did not merely cease hostilities; they initiated a focused campaign to eliminate the remaining Benjamite population and their settlements, suggesting a calculated act of total retribution.
* **"and smote them with the edge of the sword,"**: This describes the method of their retribution: a comprehensive and merciless slaughter. As noted in the "Key Word Analysis," "edge of the sword" is an idiom for total destruction, signifying that the killing was absolute and indiscriminate against those encountered, leaving no survivors from the civilian population.
* **"as well the men of [every] city, as the beast, and all that came to hand:"**: This clause specifies the targets of the slaughter, emphasizing its totality and mirroring the *herem* principle. It includes all human males in the cities, all livestock ("beast"), and "all that came to hand," which implies women, children, and any other living thing encountered. This demonstrates the extreme extent of the Israelites' punitive actions against their kinsmen.
* **"also they set on fire all the cities that they came to."**: This final clause describes the complete physical devastation of Benjamin's territory. The burning of the cities ensured that there would be no refuge or remaining infrastructure for the tribe, solidifying the completeness of their defeat and the severity of the judgment. It signifies not just military victory, but a deliberate act of obliteration, leaving a scorched earth.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 20:48 employs several potent literary devices to convey the horror and totality of Benjamin's destruction. **Graphic Imagery** is central, with phrases like "smote them with the edge of the sword" and "set on fire all the cities" painting a vivid and disturbing picture of the violence and devastation. The use of **Hyperbole** is evident in the repeated emphasis on "all" ("all that came to hand," "all the cities"), which, while conveying the comprehensive nature of the destruction, also serves to heighten the sense of overwhelming devastation, even though a remnant of 600 men survived (Judges 20:47). This near-total annihilation of a fellow Israelite tribe creates a powerful sense of **Tragic Irony**, as the very people who should have been united under God's covenant turned such destructive force upon one another. The verse also functions as a climactic moment of **Retribution**, delivering the final, devastating blow in a narrative arc that began with a heinous crime and escalated into a catastrophic civil war.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 20:48 serves as a stark and sobering testament to the devastating consequences of sin, particularly when it becomes entrenched and is defended corporately within a community. The near-annihilation of Benjamin underscores God's absolute abhorrence of depravity and injustice, even within His covenant people. While the Israelites carried out the judgment, the narrative implies divine sanction for their actions against a tribe that had become morally corrupt and defiantly refused to purge evil from their midst. This tragic episode highlights the fragility of covenant faithfulness and the profound dangers of a society where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes," leading to internal strife and self-destruction. It demonstrates that unrepentant sin, whether individual or corporate, inevitably incurs severe consequences, often leading to widespread suffering and loss, and a disruption of the very foundations of community.

* [Deuteronomy 13:12-18](/deuteronomy/13-12 "Deuteronomy 13:12-18 - Law Concerning Idolatrous Cities")
* [Leviticus 26:27-33](/leviticus/26-27 "Leviticus 26:27-33 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Psalm 78:56-64](/psalm/78-56 "Psalm 78:56-64 - God's Judgment on Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 20:48, though a deeply unsettling passage, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and society. It forces us to confront the gravity of sin and its far-reaching, destructive ripple effects. The narrative illustrates that when moral boundaries are blurred, justice is perverted, and evil is condoned or even defended within a community, the consequences can be catastrophic. This passage calls us to a vigilant self-examination, both individually and corporately, to ensure that we are not allowing moral decay to fester in our lives or communities. It also serves as a somber reminder of the destructive power of internal conflict, urging us towards reconciliation, forgiveness, and the pursuit of justice rooted in God's righteous standards rather than human vengeance. Ultimately, it compels us to recognize the desperate need for divine guidance and righteous leadership, lest we, like Israel in the time of the Judges, fall into a cycle where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - The Chaos of Judges")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of the judgment on Benjamin highlight the seriousness with which God views corporate sin and the refusal to uphold justice?**
* **In what ways might our own communities or churches be susceptible to the "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" mentality, and what are the potential consequences?**
* **What is the balance between seeking justice for wrongdoing and avoiding the destructive path of vengeance, as seen in this passage?**
* **How can we, as believers, actively work to promote righteousness and reconciliation within our spheres of influence, preventing the kind of moral decay depicted in Judges?**

### FAQ
**Was the destruction of Benjamin truly total, given that 600 men survived?**

Answer: While Judges 20:48 describes a comprehensive and seemingly total destruction of the Benjamite cities, their inhabitants, and livestock, it is important to read this verse in conjunction with [Judges 20:47](/judges/20-47 "Judges 20:47 - The 600 Survivors"), which explicitly states that 600 men escaped to the rock of Rimmon and survived for four months. Therefore, the language of "all" in verse 48 should be understood as hyperbole, emphasizing the *near-total* annihilation and the thoroughness of the Israelite retribution against all who "came to hand" in the cities. The intent was to wipe out the tribe, and the destruction was indeed devastatingly complete for the vast majority, but a small remnant was preserved, setting the stage for the narrative in [Judges 21](/judges/21 "Judges 21 - Efforts to Restore Benjamin") where the other tribes sought to ensure Benjamin's survival.

**Why did Israel carry out such a brutal act against a fellow Israelite tribe?**

Answer: The extreme brutality of Israel's actions against Benjamin was a direct consequence of the heinous atrocity committed in Gibeah ([Judges 19:22-26](/judges/19-22 "Judges 19:22-26 - The Abused Concubine")), coupled with Benjamin's defiant refusal to surrender the perpetrators for justice. The other tribes viewed Benjamin's actions as a profound violation of covenant law and a moral outrage that threatened the very fabric of Israelite society. They sought to purge the evil from their midst, seeing it as a holy war against internal corruption. The severity of the punishment reflects the gravity with which they (and implicitly, God) viewed the sin and Benjamin's corporate complicity, demonstrating that even within God's people, unrepentant wickedness would not be tolerated and could lead to devastating judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 20:48, with its depiction of brutal judgment and near-annihilation, stands in stark contrast to the redemptive work of Christ, yet it also foreshadows the ultimate divine judgment against sin. While the men of Israel wielded the "edge of the sword" in a campaign of human retribution, Jesus Christ, the true King of Israel, came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Did Not Come to Condemn")). He did not bring fire to consume cities, but the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit ([Matthew 3:11](/matthew/3-11 "Matthew 3:11 - Baptism with Fire")). The chaos and self-destruction of the Judges era, where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes," underscore the desperate need for a righteous King, a role perfectly fulfilled by Christ. He is the one who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), not through the annihilation of a tribe, but through His own sacrificial death on the cross, bearing the judgment that humanity deserved. In Christ, the ultimate "sword" of God's wrath against sin was sheathed, not in the destruction of humanity, but in the self-giving love of the Son, offering reconciliation and peace where there was once only division and judgment ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). He brings true justice and establishes a kingdom not of this world, where peace and righteousness reign, ultimately fulfilling the longing for a just and merciful ruler that the book of Judges so powerfully 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

Deuteronomy 13:15

Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that [is] therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.

Deuteronomy 13:17

And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;

Proverbs 18:19

¶ A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.

2 Chronicles 28:6

¶ For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, [which were] all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 28:9

But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name [was] Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage [that] reacheth up unto heaven.

2 Chronicles 25:13

But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil.