Judges 20:45
New International Version
As they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, the Israelites cut down five thousand men along the roads. They kept pressing after the Benjamites as far as Gidom and struck down two thousand more.

New Living Translation
The survivors fled into the wilderness toward the rock of Rimmon, but Israel killed 5,000 of them along the road. They continued the chase until they had killed another 2,000 near Gidom.

English Standard Version
And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. Five thousand men of them were cut down in the highways. And they were pursued hard to Gidom, and 2,000 men of them were struck down.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the Benjamites turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and Israel cut down 5,000 men on the roads. And they overtook them at Gidom and struck down 2,000 more.

King James Bible
And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.

New King James Version
Then they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon; and they cut down five thousand of them on the highways. Then they pursued them relentlessly up to Gidom, and killed two thousand of them.

New American Standard Bible
The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, but they caught five thousand of them on the roads and overtook them at Gidom, and killed two thousand of them.

NASB 1995
The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, but they caught 5,000 of them on the highways and overtook them at Gidom and killed 2,000 of them.

NASB 1977
The rest turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, but they caught 5,000 of them on the highways and overtook them at Gidom and killed 2,000 of them.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the rest turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, but they caught 5,000 of them on the highways and overtook them at Gidom and struck down 2,000 of them.

Amplified Bible
The survivors [of Benjamin] turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and Israel caught five thousand of them on the roads and overtook them at Gidom and killed two thousand of them.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Benjamin turned and fled toward the wilderness to Rimmon Rock, and Israel killed five thousand men on the highways. They overtook them at Gidom and struck two thousand more dead.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Benjamin turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and Israel killed 5,000 men on the highways. They overtook them at Gidom and struck 2,000 more dead.

American Standard Version
And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men, and followed hard after them unto Gidom, and smote of them two thousand men.

Contemporary English Version
Some other warriors of Benjamin turned and ran down the road toward Rimmon Rock in the desert. The Israelites killed 5,000 of them on the road, then chased the rest until they had killed 2,000 more.

English Revised Version
And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and followed hard after them unto Gidom, and smote of them two thousand men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The others turned and fled into the desert to Rimmon Rock. But the men of Israel killed 5,000 more on the roads. They caught up with another 2,000 and killed them near Gidom.

Good News Translation
The others turned and ran toward the open country to Rimmon Rock. Five thousand of them were killed on the roads. The Israelites continued to pursue the rest to Gidom, killing two thousand.

International Standard Version
The rest of them turned and ran into the wilderness in the direction of the rock of Rimmon, but 5,000 of them were killed on the highways while 2,000 of them were overtaken and killed near Gidom.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the Benjamites turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and Israel cut down 5,000 men on the roads. And they overtook them at Gidom and struck down 2,000 more.

NET Bible
The rest turned and ran toward the wilderness, heading toward the cliff of Rimmon. But the Israelites caught five thousand of them on the main roads. They stayed right on their heels all the way to Gidom and struck down two thousand more.

New Heart English Bible
They turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon: and they killed on the highways five thousand men, and followed hard after them to Gidom, and struck down two thousand men.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they turned and fled towards the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them to Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.

World English Bible
They turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. They gleaned five thousand men of them in the highways, and followed hard after them to Gidom, and struck two thousand men of them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they turn and flee toward the wilderness, to the rock of Rimmon; and they glean five thousand of their men in the highways, and follow after them to Gidom, and strike two thousand [more] of their men.

Young's Literal Translation
and they turn and flee toward the wilderness, unto the rock of Rimmon; and they glean of them in the highways five thousand men, and follow after them unto Gidom, and smite of them two thousand men.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will turn and flee to the desert, to the rock Rimmon: and they will glean in the highways five thousand men; and they will pursue after him even to Gidom, and will strike of him two thousand men.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they that remained of Benjamin saw this, they fled into the wilderness and made towards the rock that is called Remmon. In that flight, also as they were straggling and going different ways, they slew of them five thousand men. And as they went farther, they still pursued them, and slew also other two thousand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when those who remained of Benjamin had seen this, they fled into the wilderness. And they were traveling toward the rock which is called Rimmon. In that flight also, among those who were scattering in different directions, they slew five thousand men. And though they scattered all the more, they continued to pursue them, and then they put to death another two thousand.

New American Bible
They turned and fled into the wilderness to the crag of Rimmon. The Israelites picked off five thousand men on the highways and kept pace with them as far as Gidom, where they struck down another two thousand of them.

New Revised Standard Version
When they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, five thousand of them were cut down on the main roads, and they were pursued as far as Gidom, and two thousand of them were slain.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon; and five thousand of them fell in the highway; all men that drew the sword; and they pursued hard after them as far as Gibeon, and slew two thousand men of them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they turned and fled to the wilderness to the cliff of Ramun, and five thousand men drawing a sword fell in the roads, and they pursued after them unto Gebuun, and they killed two thousand men with the sword
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon; and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and followed hard after them unto Gidom, and smote of them two thousand men.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the rest turned, and fled to the wilderness to the rock of Remmon; and the children of Israel picked off of them five thousand men; and the children of Israel went down after them as far as Gedan, and they smote of them two thousand men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Civil War Against Benjamin
44And 18,000 Benjamites fell, all men of valor. 45Then the Benjamites turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, and Israel cut down 5,000 men on the roads. And they overtook them at Gidom and struck down 2,000 more. 46That day 25,000 Benjamite swordsmen fell, all men of valor.…

Cross References
Joshua 7:5
And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water.

2 Samuel 2:19-23
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. / So Abner told him, “Turn to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him. ...

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

Hosea 10:9
Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity?

1 Samuel 14:14
In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land.

2 Samuel 18:8
The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.

Jeremiah 8:6
I have listened and heard; they do not speak what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, asking, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone has pursued his own course like a horse charging into battle.

Isaiah 10:32-34
Yet today they will halt at Nob, shaking a fist at the mount of Daughter Zion, at the hill of Jerusalem. / Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled. / He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

1 Kings 20:29-30
For seven days the armies camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle ensued, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans—a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day. / The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room.

2 Kings 14:12
And Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his home.

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 17:31-33
On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind. / Remember Lot’s wife! / Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

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 11:4
And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.


Treasury of Scripture

And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them to Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.

Rimmon

Joshua 15:32
And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:

1 Chronicles 6:77
Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:

Zechariah 14:10
All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.

Jump to Previous
Benjamites Caught Cut Desert Hard Highways Kept Killed Overtook Pursued Rimmon Roads Rock Slain Slew Smote Struck Thousand Turned Wilderness
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Benjamites Caught Cut Desert Hard Highways Kept Killed Overtook Pursued Rimmon Roads Rock Slain Slew Smote Struck Thousand Turned Wilderness
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 Benjamites turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon
The Benjamites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, were engaged in a civil war against the other Israelite tribes due to the grievous sin committed in Gibeah. The "wilderness" refers to the desolate and rugged terrain east of the central hill country of Israel, often a place of refuge or escape. The "rock of Rimmon" is a specific location, likely a natural fortress or high place, providing a strategic defensive position. This reflects the desperation and tactical retreat of the Benjamites, seeking safety in a familiar and defensible location. The rock of Rimmon is mentioned again in Judges 20:47, indicating its significance as a place of refuge.

and Israel cut down 5,000 men on the roads
The phrase "cut down" indicates a decisive and violent confrontation. The roads were likely the main routes of escape, suggesting that the Israelites had anticipated the Benjamites' retreat and strategically positioned themselves to intercept them. This reflects the intensity and brutality of the conflict, as well as the determination of the Israelite forces to bring judgment upon the Benjamites for their transgressions. The number 5,000 signifies a significant loss, emphasizing the scale of the battle and the severity of the punishment.

And they overtook them at Gidom and struck down 2,000 more
The location "Gidom" is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, indicating it may have been a minor or temporary landmark known to the original audience. The pursuit and additional slaughter of 2,000 Benjamites highlight the relentless nature of the conflict and the thoroughness of the Israelite campaign. This relentless pursuit can be seen as a fulfillment of divine judgment, as the Israelites sought to eradicate the sin from their midst. The total number of casualties underscores the tragic consequences of sin and disobedience within the covenant community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Benjamites
A tribe of Israel, known for their skilled warriors. In this context, they are fleeing after a devastating defeat.

2. Israel
Refers to the other tribes of Israel who have united against the tribe of Benjamin due to a grievous sin committed in Gibeah.

3. Wilderness
The area to which the Benjamites fled, symbolizing a place of desolation and refuge.

4. Rock of Rimmon
A location where the surviving Benjamites sought refuge, indicating a place of temporary safety.

5. Gidom
A location mentioned as the endpoint of the pursuit, highlighting the thoroughness of Israel's campaign against Benjamin.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
The conflict arose from a grievous sin in Gibeah, reminding us that sin can have far-reaching and devastating consequences.

Unity and Division
The tribes of Israel united against Benjamin, illustrating how sin can cause division even among God's people.

Seeking Refuge
The Benjamites fled to the rock of Rimmon, symbolizing the human tendency to seek refuge in times of distress. Spiritually, we are called to seek refuge in God.

Pursuit of Justice
The relentless pursuit of the Benjamites by Israel highlights the human desire for justice, but also the need for mercy and reconciliation.

God's Sovereignty
Despite the chaos and conflict, God's sovereign plan is at work, reminding us to trust in His ultimate justice and purpose.(45) Unto the rock of Rimmon--i.e., of the pomegranate. As the tree is common in Palestine (Numbers 20:25; Deuteronomy 8:8. &c.), the name is naturally common. There was one Rimmon in Zebulon (Joshua 19:13), another in Judah (Joshua 15:32), south of Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:10; and see Joshua 21:25; Nehemiah 11:29). This Rimmon is a steep conical hill of white limestone (Robinson, 1:440), not far from Gibeah, and fifteen miles north of Jerusalem, six miles east of Bethel ("towards the sun-rising"). It is still called Rimmon. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the Benjamites turned
וַיִּפְנ֞וּ (way·yip̄·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

and fled
וַיָּנֻ֤סוּ (way·yā·nu·sū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

toward the wilderness
הַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙ (ham·miḏ·bā·rāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the rock
סֶ֣לַע (se·la‘)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5553: A craggy rock

of Rimmon,
הָֽרִמּ֔וֹן (hā·rim·mō·wn)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7417: A Syrian god

and Israel cut down
וַיְעֹֽלְלֻ֙הוּ֙ (way·‘ō·lə·lu·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5953: To effect thoroughly, to glean, to overdo, maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose

5,000
חֲמֵ֥שֶׁת (ḥă·mê·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2568: Five

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

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

And they overtook
וַיַּדְבִּ֤יקוּ (way·yaḏ·bî·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1692: To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit

them at
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

Gidom
גִּדְעֹ֔ם (giḏ·‘ōm)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1440: Gidom -- a place in Benjamin

and struck down
וַיַּכּ֥וּ (way·yak·kū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5221: To strike

2,000 more.
אַלְפַּ֥יִם (’al·pa·yim)
Number - md
Strong's 505: A thousand


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OT History: Judges 20:45 They turned and fled toward the wilderness (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 20:44
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