Judges 20:41
New International Version
Then the Israelites counterattacked, and the Benjamites were terrified, because they realized that disaster had come on them.

New Living Translation
the men of Israel turned and attacked. At this point the men of Benjamin became terrified, because they realized disaster was close at hand.

English Standard Version
Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed, for they saw that disaster was close 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.

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

New King James Version
And when the men of Israel turned back, the men of Benjamin panicked, for they saw that disaster had come upon them.

New American Standard Bible
Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were terrified; for they saw that disaster was close to them.

NASB 1995
Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were terrified; for they saw that disaster was close to them.

NASB 1977
Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were terrified; for they saw that disaster was close to them.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the men of Israel turned around again, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed; for they saw that calamity had reached them.

Amplified Bible
When the men of Israel turned back again, the men of Benjamin were terrified, for they saw that disaster had fallen upon them.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the men of Israel returned, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had struck them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the men of Israel returned, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had struck 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.

English Revised Version
And the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the men of Israel turned around, and the men of Benjamin panicked. They realized that their evil had overtaken them.

Good News Translation
Then the Israelites turned around, and the Benjaminites were thrown into panic because they realized that they were about to be destroyed.

International Standard Version
At that point, as the army of Israel turned back to face the army of Benjamin, the army of Benjamin was filled with terror, because they realized that disaster was about to overtake them.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
When the Israelites turned around, the Benjaminites panicked because they could see that disaster was on their doorstep.

New Heart English Bible
The men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were terrified; for they saw that disaster had come on them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil had come upon them.

World English Bible
The men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed; for they saw that disaster had come on them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the men of Israel have turned, and the men of Benjamin are troubled, for they have seen that the calamity has struck against them—

Young's Literal Translation
And the men of Israel have turned, and the men of Benjamin are troubled, for they have seen that the evil hath stricken against them --

Smith's Literal Translation
And the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin will hasten, for they saw that evil touched upon them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They that before had made as if they fled, turning their faces stood bravely against them; which the children of Benjamin seeing, turned their backs,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And those who before had pretended to flee, turning their faces, withstood them more strongly. And when the sons of Benjamin had seen this, they turned their backs in flight,

New American Bible
Then when the men of Israel wheeled about, the men of Benjamin were thrown into confusion, for they realized that disaster was closing in on them.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the main body of Israel turned, and the Benjaminites were dismayed, for they saw that disaster was close upon them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the men of Israel turned against them, the Benjamites were terrified; for they saw that disaster was upon them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the men of Israel turned against them, and the men of Benyamin were afraid, because they saw that evil had come upon them
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were amazed; for they saw that evil was come upon them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the men of Israel turned back, and the men of Benjamin hasted, because they saw that evil had come upon them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Civil War Against Benjamin
40But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke. 41Then the men of Israel turned back on them, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had come upon them. 42So they fled before the men of Israel toward the wilderness, but the battle overtook them, and the men coming out of the cities struck them down there.…

Cross References
Joshua 8:20-22
When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers. / When Joshua and all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and struck down the men of Ai. / Meanwhile, those in the ambush came out of the city against them, and the men of Ai were trapped between the Israelite forces on both sides. So Israel struck them down until no survivor or fugitive remained.

1 Samuel 14:20-22
Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor. / And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps to join the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. / When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined the battle in close pursuit.

2 Samuel 22:38-41
I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I devoured and crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet. / You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. ...

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.

Isaiah 13:14-15
Like a hunted gazelle, like a sheep without a shepherd, each will return to his own people, each will flee to his native land. / Whoever is caught will be stabbed, and whoever is captured will die by the sword.

Jeremiah 46:5
Why am I seeing this? They are terrified, they are retreating; their warriors are defeated, they flee in haste without looking back; terror is on every side!” declares the LORD.

Lamentations 1:3
Judah has gone into exile under affliction and harsh slavery; she dwells among the nations but finds no place to rest. All her pursuers have overtaken her in the midst of her distress.

Amos 2:14-16
Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life. / The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet of foot will not escape, and the horseman will not save his life. / Even the bravest of mighty men will flee naked on that day,” declares the LORD.

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.

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.

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.

Romans 2:5
But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

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.

Hebrews 10:27
but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.

Revelation 6:15-17
Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”


Treasury of Scripture

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

were amazed

Exodus 15:9,10
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them…

Isaiah 3:8,9
For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory…

Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

was come upon them [heb] touched them

Jump to Previous
Amazed Benjamin Close Disaster Dismayed Evil Israel Overcome Overtaken Realized Stricken Terrified Troubled Turn Turned
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Amazed Benjamin Close Disaster Dismayed Evil Israel Overcome Overtaken Realized Stricken Terrified Troubled Turn Turned
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.














Then the men of Israel turned back on them
This phrase indicates a strategic military maneuver. The Israelites, after initially retreating, turned back to confront the Benjamites. This tactic is reminiscent of Joshua's strategy at Ai (Joshua 8:18-21), where a feigned retreat led to a decisive victory. The turning back signifies a shift in momentum, suggesting divine intervention and fulfillment of God's promise to deliver the Benjamites into Israel's hands (Judges 20:28).

and the men of Benjamin were terrified
The terror of the Benjamites reflects a sudden realization of their vulnerable position. This fear can be compared to the fear that fell upon the Canaanites when they faced the Israelites (Joshua 2:9-11). It underscores the psychological impact of warfare and the divine judgment upon Benjamin for their sin (Judges 19:22-30). The fear also fulfills the biblical principle that those who oppose God's people will ultimately face fear and defeat (Deuteronomy 28:7).

when they realized that disaster had come upon them
The disaster refers to the overwhelming defeat and destruction that the Benjamites faced. This realization is a moment of reckoning, akin to the judgment that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25). It serves as a warning of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God's commandments. The disaster also foreshadows the ultimate judgment that will come upon all who oppose God's will, as seen in prophetic scriptures like Revelation 19:19-21.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Men of Israel
The collective tribes of Israel, excluding Benjamin, who were engaged in a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin due to the grievous sin committed in Gibeah.

2. Men of Benjamin
The tribe of Benjamin, who were defending themselves against the other tribes of Israel. They were initially successful in battle but eventually faced defeat.

3. Gibeah
A city in the territory of Benjamin where a horrific crime took place, leading to the conflict between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes.

4. Civil War
The internal conflict among the tribes of Israel, sparked by the crime in Gibeah and the subsequent refusal of the Benjamites to surrender the perpetrators.

5. Disaster
The realization by the Benjamites that they were facing inevitable defeat and destruction, as the tide of battle turned against them.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
The events in Judges 20 highlight the severe consequences of sin and the importance of addressing wrongdoing within a community to prevent further disaster.

The Dangers of Pride
The refusal of the Benjamites to surrender the guilty parties demonstrates how pride can lead to downfall and destruction.

Unity and Division
The civil war among the tribes of Israel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of division within a community of believers and the importance of seeking reconciliation.

God's Justice
The passage reminds us of the importance of seeking God's justice rather than taking matters into our own hands, trusting that God will ultimately bring about justice.

Repentance and Restoration
The account encourages us to consider the role of repentance and the possibility of restoration even after severe conflict and judgment.(41) And when the men of Israel turned again.--Another detail of the rally described in Judges 20:33, and its effect (Judges 20:34).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the men
וְאִ֤ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

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

turned back on them,
הָפַ֔ךְ (hā·p̄aḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert

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

of Benjamin
בִּנְיָמִ֑ן (bin·yā·min)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

were terrified
וַיִּבָּהֵ֖ל (way·yib·bā·hêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 926: To tremble inwardly, be, alarmed, agitated, to hasten anxiously

when
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they realized
רָאָ֔ה (rā·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

disaster
הָרָעָֽה׃ (hā·rā·‘āh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

had come
נָגְעָ֥ה (nā·ḡə·‘āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

upon them.
עָלָ֖יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: Judges 20:41 The men of Israel turned and (Jd Judg. Jdg)
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