Judges 20:31
New International Version
The Benjamites came out to meet them and were drawn away from the city. They began to inflict casualties on the Israelites as before, so that about thirty men fell in the open field and on the roads—the one leading to Bethel and the other to Gibeah.

New Living Translation
When the men of Benjamin came out to attack, they were drawn away from the town. And as they had done before, they began to kill the Israelites. About thirty Israelites died in the open fields and along the roads, one leading to Bethel and the other leading back to Gibeah.

English Standard Version
And the people of Benjamin went out against the people and were drawn away from the city. And as at other times they began to strike and kill some of the people in the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the open country, about thirty men of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah.

King James Bible
And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

New King James Version
So the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city. They began to strike down and kill some of the people, as at the other times, in the highways (one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah) and in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
When the sons of Benjamin went out against the people, they were lured away from the city, and they began to strike and kill some of the people as at other times, on the roads (one of which goes up to Bethel, and the other to Gibeah), and in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

NASB 1995
The sons of Benjamin went out against the people and were drawn away from the city, and they began to strike and kill some of the people as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

NASB 1977
And the sons of Benjamin went out against the people and were drawn away from the city, and they began to strike and kill some of the people, as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the sons of Benjamin went out to meet the people and were drawn away from the city, and they began to strike and slay some of the people as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

Amplified Bible
The Benjamites went out against their army and were lured away from the city, and they began to strike and kill some of the people as at other times, on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, and in the open country, about thirty men of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the Benjaminites came out against the troops and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the troops as before, killing about thirty men of Israel on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah through the open country.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the Benjaminites came out against the people and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about 30 men of Israel on the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah through the open country.

American Standard Version
And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite and kill of the people, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to Beth-el, and the other to Gibeah, in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

English Revised Version
And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite and kill of the people, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to Beth-el, and the other to Gibeah, in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The men of Benjamin went out to attack Israel's troops and were led away from the city. They started to inflict casualties as before. They killed about 30 men from Israel in the open country and on the roads to Bethel and Gibeah.

Good News Translation
The Benjaminites came out to fight and were led away from the city. As they had before, they began killing some Israelites in the open country, on the road to Bethel and on the road to Gibeah. They killed about thirty Israelites.

International Standard Version
They attacked the army and were drawn away from the city as they began to inflict casualties on the soldiers along the roads to Bethel and Gibeah, just as they had done the other times. About 30 soldiers from Israel fell in battle there and in the fields.

Majority Standard Bible
The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah.

NET Bible
The Benjaminites attacked the army, leaving the city unguarded. They began to strike down their enemy just as they had done before. On the main roads (one leads to Bethel, the other to Gibeah) and in the field, they struck down about thirty Israelites.

New Heart English Bible
The people of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to strike and kill some of the people, as at other times, on the highways, of which one goes up to Bethel, and the other to Gibeah, in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

World English Bible
The children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to strike and kill of the people as at other times, in the highways, of which one goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sons of Benjamin come out to meet the people; they have been drawn away out of the city, and begin to strike [some] of the people—wounded as time by time—in the highways (of which one is going up to Beth-El, and the other to Gibeah in the field), [are] about thirty men of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
And the sons of Benjamin come out to meet the people; they have been drawn away out of the city, and begin to smite some of the people -- wounded as time by time, in the highways (of which one is going up to Beth-El, and the other to Gibeah in the field), are about thirty men of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Benjamin will come forth to the meeting of the people, they were separated from the city; and they will begin to strike of the people wounded as once upon once, in the highways, which one went up to the house of God, and one to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men in Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the children of Benjamin boldly issued out of the city, and seeing their enemies flee, pursued them a long way, so as to wound and kill some of them, as they had done the first and second day, whilst they fled by two highways, whereof one goeth up to Bethel, and the other to Gabaa, and they slew about thirty men:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the sons of Benjamin again burst forth boldly from the city. And since their enemies were fleeing, they pursued them a long way, so that they might wound or kill some of them, just as they had done on the first and second days. And they turned their backs along two paths, one bringing them toward Bethel, and the other toward Gibeah. And they struck down about thirty men.

New American Bible
When the Benjaminites marched out to meet the army, they began, as on other occasions, to strike down some of the troops along the highways, one of which goes up to Bethel and one to Gibeah in the open country; about thirty Israelites were slain.

New Revised Standard Version
When the Benjaminites went out against the army, they were drawn away from the city. As before they began to inflict casualties on the troops, along the main roads, one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah, as well as in the open country, killing about thirty men of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the Benjamites went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city: and they began to smite the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, one of which goes up to Gibeah, and the other to Beth-el through the field, about thirty men of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the sons of Benjamin went out for the meeting of the people, and they emptied out from the city and they began to cast down the people slain, as at all times, in the streets, one of which went up to Gebah, and one to Bayth Eil, into a field, about thirty men of Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite and kill of the people, as at other times, in the field, in the highways, of which one goeth up to Beth-el, and the other to Gibeah, about thirty men of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Benjamin went out to meet the people, and were all drawn out of the city, and began to smite and slay the people as before in the roads, whereof one goes up to Baethel, and one to Gabaa in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Civil War Against Benjamin
30On the third day the Israelites went up against the Benjamites and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as they had done before. 31The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. 32“We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.”…

Cross References
Joshua 8:14-16
When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city. / Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness. / Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city.

2 Samuel 2:18-23
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle, / and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit. / And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied. ...

1 Samuel 4:2-3
The Philistines arrayed themselves against Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about four thousand men on the battlefield. / When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.”

2 Chronicles 13:13-17
Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them. / When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets, / and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. ...

1 Samuel 14:14-15
In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land. / Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God.

2 Kings 3:24
But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites.

Hosea 9:9
They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.

Jeremiah 7:12
But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel.

Psalm 78:60-64
He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men. / He delivered His strength to captivity, and His splendor to the hand of the adversary. / He surrendered His people to the sword because He was enraged by His heritage. ...

Isaiah 10:6
I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.

Matthew 24:16-18
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Luke 21:21-22
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.

Mark 13:14-16
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Romans 11:8-10
as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” / And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. / May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.”

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.


Treasury of Scripture

And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goes up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

drawn

Joshua 8:14-16
And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city…

the house of God.

Judges 19:13,14
And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah…

Isaiah 10:29
They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.

thirty

Joshua 7:5
And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

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Judges 20
1. The Levite in a general assembly declared his wrong
8. The decree of the assembly
12. The Benjamites, being cited, make head against the Israelites
18. The Israelites in two battles lose forty thousand
26. They destroy by a plan all the Benjamites, except six hundred.














And the Benjamites came out
The Benjamites, descendants of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, are central to this narrative. The Hebrew root for "came out" (יָצָא, yatsa) implies a deliberate action, suggesting the Benjamites' readiness and willingness to engage in battle. Historically, the tribe of Benjamin was known for its fierce warriors, and this phrase sets the stage for their aggressive confrontation with the other Israelite tribes.

against the people
The phrase "against the people" indicates a direct opposition. Here, "the people" refers to the collective tribes of Israel, excluding Benjamin. This internal conflict among the Israelites highlights the severe moral and social breakdown within the nation, as brother turns against brother. The Hebrew word for "people" (עַם, am) often denotes a community bound by shared identity, emphasizing the tragedy of this civil strife.

and were drawn away from the city
The strategy of drawing the Benjamites away from the city suggests a tactical maneuver by the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "drawn away" (נָשַׁךְ, nashak) can imply being lured or enticed, indicating a planned ambush. This reflects the Israelites' strategic thinking in warfare, aiming to exploit the Benjamites' confidence and draw them into a vulnerable position.

And they began to inflict casualties on the Israelites as before
This phrase underscores the initial success of the Benjamites in the battle. The word "inflict" (נָגַף, nagaph) in Hebrew conveys a sense of striking or smiting, indicating the intensity of the conflict. The reference to "as before" suggests a repeated pattern of victory for the Benjamites, highlighting their formidable prowess in battle and the Israelites' struggle to overcome them.

on the roads—one of which goes up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah
The mention of roads leading to Bethel and Gibeah provides geographical context, emphasizing the strategic importance of these locations. Bethel, meaning "House of God," was a significant religious site, while Gibeah was the Benjamite stronghold. The roads symbolize the pathways of conflict and the interconnectedness of these key locations in the narrative.

in the open country
The "open country" refers to the battlefield setting, away from the fortified city. The Hebrew term for "open country" (מִשְׂדֶּה, misdeh) suggests a broad, exposed area, which would have been advantageous for certain military tactics. This setting contrasts with the security of the city, highlighting the vulnerability and exposure of the combatants.

about thirty Israelites were slain
The specific number "thirty" indicates the scale of the initial casualties suffered by the Israelites. In Hebrew culture, numbers often carry symbolic meaning, and while thirty is not a significant symbolic number, its mention here underscores the tangible cost of the conflict. The word "slain" (נָפַל, naphal) conveys a sense of falling or being struck down, emphasizing the gravity and loss of life in this fratricidal war.

(31) To smite of the people, and kill.--Rather, to smite the wounded or beaten of the people. It means, apparently, that when some of the Israelites had been wounded with slings, the Benjamites began to rush on them, for the purpose of killing them, and they feigned flight along two highways, of which one led to Bethel, and the other to a place which, to distinguish it from Gibeah, seems to have been called "Gibeah in the field." In this feigned flight thirty Israelites were killed. "Gibeah in the field" seems to be Jeba, and the main road from Gibeah (Tuleil el F-l), at about a mile's distance from the hill, branches off into two, of which one leads to Beitin (Bethel), and the other to Jeba ("Gibeah in the field").

The highways.--(Mesilloth.) Roads like the Roman viae regiae, regularly built.

Verse 31. - The house of God. Here manifestly Bethel, as in the margin. Gibeah in the field. The A.V. is the natural rendering of the Hebrew words, which imply a Gibeah in the field different from Gibeah, as the Septuagint seems to have understood them (Γαβαὰ ἐν ἀγρῷ). It is a happy conjecture, borne out by the existing roads, that this Gibeah-in-the-field is the same as Gobs, now Jeba. Indeed it is almost impossible to conceive how the pursuers, coming out of Gibeah, could be described as coming to two highways, of which one led to Bethel and the other to the very place they had come from. The latest explorers of the district fully concur in this identification of Gibeah-in-the-field with Jeba.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Benjamites
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

came out
וַיֵּצְא֤וּ (way·yê·ṣə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

against
לִקְרַ֣את (liq·raṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

[them]
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and were drawn away
הָנְתְּק֖וּ (hā·nə·tə·qū)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5423: To pull, draw, or tear away, apart, or off

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the city.
הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

They began
וַיָּחֵ֡לּוּ (way·yā·ḥêl·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

to attack
לְהַכּוֹת֩ (lə·hak·kō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5221: To strike

the people
מֵהָעָ֨ם (mê·hā·‘ām)
Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

as before,
כְּפַ֣עַם ׀ (kə·p̄a·‘am)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence

killing
חֲלָלִ֜ים (ḥă·lā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted

about thirty
כִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים (kiš·lō·šîm)
Preposition-k | Number - common plural
Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth

men
אִ֖ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Israel
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

in the fields
בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה (baś·śā·ḏeh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

and on the roads,
בַּֽמְסִלּוֹת֙ (bam·sil·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4546: A thoroughfare, a viaduct, a staircase

one
אַחַ֜ת (’a·ḥaṯ)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of which
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

led up
עֹלָ֣ה (‘ō·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to
בֵֽית־ (ḇêṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 0: 0

Bethel
אֵ֗ל (’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1008: Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah

and the other
וְאַחַ֤ת (wə·’a·ḥaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

to Gibeah.
גִּבְעָ֙תָה֙ (giḇ·‘ā·ṯāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1390: Gibeah -- 'hill', three cities in Palestine


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OT History: Judges 20:31 The children of Benjamin went out against (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 20:30
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