Revised Literal Translation

Judges 20

1Then all the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֒Yis.ra.'ElH3478went outוַיֵּצְאוּ֮vai.ye.tze.'UH3318,and the congregationהָעֵדָ֜הha.'e.DahH5712was gathered togetherוַתִּקָּהֵ֨לva.ti.ka.HelH6950as oneאֶחָ֗ד'e.ChadH259manכְּאִ֣ישׁke.'IshH376,from Danלְמִדָּן֙le.mi.DanH1835even to Beer–shebaH884,with the landוְאֶ֖רֶץve.'E.retzH776of Gileadהַגִּלְעָ֑דha.gil.'AdH1568,unto Yhwhיְהוָ֖הYah.wehH3068in Mizpehהַמִּצְפָּֽה׃ha.mitz.PahH4709.

2And the chiefפִּנּ֣וֹתpi.NotH6438of all the peopleהָעָ֗םha.'AmH5971, evenof all the tribesשִׁבְטֵ֣יshiv.TeiH7626of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478,presentedוַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֞וּvai.yit.ya.tze.VuH3320themselves in the assemblyבִּקְהַ֖לbik.HalH6951of the peopleעַ֣ם'amH5971of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםha.'E.lo.HimH430,fourאַרְבַּ֨ע'ar.Ba'H702hundredמֵא֥וֹתme.'otH3967thousandאֶ֛לֶף'E.lefH505footmenאִ֥ישׁ רַגְלִ֖י'ish rag.LiH7273 H376that drewשֹׁ֥לֵֽףSho.lefH8025swordחָֽרֶב׃ פCha.revH2719.

3(Now the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֔ןvin.ya.MinH1144heardוַֽיִּשְׁמְעוּ֙vai.yish.me.'UH8085that the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478were gone upעָל֥וּ'a.LuH5927to Mizpehהַמִּצְפָּ֑הha.mitz.PahH4709.)Then saidוַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙vai.yo.me.RuH559the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478,Tellדַּבְּר֕וּda.be.RuH1696us,how wasנִהְיְתָ֖הnih.ye.TahH1961this wickednessהָרָעָ֥הha.ra.'AhH7451?

4And the Leviteהָאִ֣ישׁ הַלֵּוִ֗יha.'Ish ha.le.ViH376 H3881,the husbandאִ֛ישׁ'ishH376of the womanהָאִשָּׁ֥הha.'i.ShahH802that was slainהַנִּרְצָחָ֖הha.nir.tza.ChahH7523,answeredוַיַּ֜עַןvai.Ya.'anH6030and saidוַיֹּאמַ֑רvai.yo.MarH559,I cameבָּ֛אתִיBa.tiH935into Gibeahהַגִּבְעָ֙תָה֙ha.giv.'A.tahH1390that belongethto Benjaminלְבִנְיָמִ֔ןle.vin.ya.MinH1144,I and my concubineוּפִֽילַגְשִׁ֖יu.fi.lag.ShiH6370,to lodgeלָלֽוּן׃la.LunH3885.

5And the menבַּעֲלֵ֣יba.'a.LeiH1167of Gibeahהַגִּבְעָ֔הha.giv.'AhH1390roseוַיָּקֻ֤מוּvai.ya.Ku.muH6965against me, and besetH5437the houseהַבַּ֖יִתha.Ba.yitH1004round aboutH5437upon me by nightלָ֑יְלָהLa.ye.lahH3915, andthoughtדִּמּ֣וּdi.MuH1819to have slainלַהֲרֹ֔גla.ha.RogH2026me: and my concubineפִּילַגְשִׁ֥יpi.lag.ShiH6370have they forcedעִנּ֖וּ'i.NuH6031,that she is deadוַתָּמֹֽת׃va.ta.MotH4191.

6And I tookוָֽאֹחֵ֤זva.'o.ChezH270my concubineבְּפִֽילַגְשִׁי֙be.fi.lag.ShiH6370,and cut her in piecesוָֽאֲנַתְּחֶ֔הָva.'a.na.te.Che.haH5408,and sentוָֽאֲשַׁלְּחֶ֔הָva.'a.sha.le.Che.haH7971her throughout all the countryשְׂדֵ֖הse.DehH7704of the inheritanceנַחֲלַ֣תna.cha.LatH5159of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478:for they have committedעָשׂ֛וּ'a.SuH6213lewdnessזִמָּ֥הzi.MahH2154and follyוּנְבָלָ֖הu.ne.va.LahH5039in Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃be.Yis.ra.'ElH3478.

7Behold, ye areall childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478;giveהָב֥וּha.VuH3051hereהֲלֹֽם׃ha.LomH1988your adviceדָּבָ֥רda.VarH1697and counselוְעֵצָ֖הve.'e.TzahH6098.

8And all the peopleהָעָ֔םha.'AmH5971aroseוַיָּ֙קָם֙vai.Ya.komH6965as oneאֶחָ֖ד'e.ChadH259manכְּאִ֥ישׁke.'IshH376,sayingלֵאמֹ֑רle.MorH559,We will not anyאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376of usgoH3212to his tentלְאָהֳל֔וֹle.'o.ho.LoH168,neither will we anyאִ֥ישׁ'ishH376of usturnנָס֖וּרna.SurH5493into his houseלְבֵיתֽוֹ׃le.vei.ToH1004.

9But now this shall bethe thingהַדָּבָ֔רha.da.VarH1697which we will doנַעֲשֶׂ֖הna.'a.SehH6213to Gibeahלַגִּבְעָ֑הla.giv.'AhH1390; we will go upby lotבְּגוֹרָֽל׃be.go.RalH1486against it;

10And we will takeוְלָקַ֣חְנוּve.la.Kach.nuH3947tenעֲשָׂרָה֩'a.sa.RahH6235menאֲנָשִׁ֨ים'a.na.ShimH582of an hundredלַמֵּאָ֜הla.me.'AhH3967throughout all the tribesשִׁבְטֵ֣יshiv.TeiH7626of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לYis.ra.'ElH3478,and an hundredוּמֵאָ֤הu.me.'AhH3967of a thousandלָאֶ֙לֶף֙la.'E.lefH505,and a thousandוְאֶ֣לֶףve.'E.lefH505out of ten thousandלָרְבָבָ֔הla.re.va.VahH7233,to fetchלָקַ֥חַתla.Ka.chatH3947victualצֵדָ֖הtze.DahH6720for the peopleלָעָ֑םla.'AmH5971,that they may doלַעֲשׂ֗וֹתla.'a.SotH6213,when they comeלְבוֹאָם֙le.vo.'AmH935to Gibeahלְגֶ֣בַעle.Ge.va'H1387of Benjaminבִּנְיָמִ֔ןbin.ya.MinH1144,according to all the follyהַ֨נְּבָלָ֔הha.ne.va.LahH5039that they have wroughtעָשָׂ֖ה'a.SahH6213in Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃be.Yis.ra.'ElH3478.

11So all the menאִ֤ישׁ'ishH376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙Yis.ra.'ElH3478were gatheredוַיֵּֽאָסֵ֞ףvai.ye.'a.SefH622against the cityהָעִ֔ירha.'IrH5892,knit togetherחֲבֵרִֽים׃ פcha.ve.RimH2270as oneאֶחָ֖ד'e.ChadH259manכְּאִ֥ישׁke.'IshH376.

12And the tribesשִׁבְטֵ֤יshiv.TeiH7626of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙Yis.ra.'ElH3478sentוַֽיִּשְׁלְח֞וּvai.yish.le.ChuH7971menאֲנָשִׁ֔ים'a.na.ShimH582through all the tribeשִׁבְטֵ֥יshiv.TeiH7626of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֖ןvin.ya.MinH1144,sayingלֵאמֹ֑רle.MorH559,What wickednessהָרָעָ֣הha.ra.'AhH7451isthis that is doneנִהְיְתָ֖הnih.ye.TahH1961among you?

13Now therefore deliverתְּנוּ֩te.NuH5414usthe menהָאֲנָשִׁ֨יםha.'a.na.ShimH582,the childrenבְּנֵֽי־be.nei-H1121of Belialבְלִיַּ֜עַלve.li.Ya.'alH1100, which arein Gibeahבַּגִּבְעָה֙ba.giv.'AhH1390,that we may put them to deathוּנְמִיתֵ֔םu.ne.mi.TemH4191,and put awayוּנְבַעֲרָ֥הu.ne.va.'a.RahH1197evilרָעָ֖הra.'AhH7451from Israelמִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑לmi.Yis.ra.'ElH3478.But the childrenאָבוּ֙בְּנֵ֣י'a.Vu'a.Vu//be.neibe.neiH1121of Benjaminבִּנְיָמִ֔ןbin.ya.MinH1144wouldאָבוּ֙בְּנֵ֣י'a.Vu'a.Vu//be.neibe.neiH14not hearkenלִשְׁמֹ֕עַlish.Mo.a'H8085to the voiceבְּק֖וֹלbe.KolH6963of their brethrenאֲחֵיהֶ֥ם'a.chei.HemH251the childrenבְּנֵֽי־be.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃Yis.ra.'ElH3478:

14But the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֛ןvin.ya.MinH1144gathered themselves togetherוַיֵּאָסְפ֧וּvai.ye.'a.se.FuH622out of the citiesהֶעָרִ֖יםhe.'a.RimH5892unto Gibeahהַגִּבְעָ֑תָהha.giv.'A.tahH1390,to go outלָצֵ֥אתla.TzetH3318to battleלַמִּלְחָמָ֖הla.mil.cha.MahH4421against the childrenבְּנֵ֥יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃Yis.ra.'ElH3478.

15And the childrenבְנֵ֨יve.NeiH1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֜ןvin.ya.MinH1144were numberedוַיִּתְפָּֽקְדוּ֩vai.yit.pa.ke.DuH6485at that timeבַּיּ֤וֹםbai.YomH3117out of the citiesמֵהֶ֣עָרִ֔יםme.He.'a.RimH5892twentyעֶשְׂרִ֨ים'es.RimH6242and sixוְשִׁשָּׁ֥הve.shi.ShahH8337thousandאֶ֛לֶף'E.lefH505menאִ֖ישׁ'ishH376that drewשֹׁ֣לֵֽףSho.lefH8025swordחָ֑רֶבCha.revH2719,beside the inhabitantsמִיֹּשְׁבֵ֤יmi.yo.she.VeiH3427of Gibeahהַגִּבְעָה֙ha.giv.'AhH1390,which were numberedהִתְפָּ֣קְד֔וּhit.Pa.ke.DuH6485sevenשְׁבַ֥עshe.Va'H7651hundredמֵא֖וֹתme.'otH3967chosenבָּחֽוּר׃ba.ChurH977menאִ֥ישׁ'ishH376.

16Among all this peopleהָעָ֣םha.'AmH5971there weresevenשְׁבַ֤עshe.Va'H7651hundredמֵאוֹת֙me.'OtH3967chosenבָּח֔וּרba.ChurH977menאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376lefthandedאִטֵּ֖ר יַד־ יְמִינ֑וֹ'i.Ter yad- ye.mi.NoH3225 H3027 H334;every one could slingקֹלֵ֧עַko.Le.a'H7049stonesבָּאֶ֛בֶןba.'E.venH68at an hairהַֽשַּׂעֲרָ֖הha.sa.'a.RahH8185breadth,and not missיַחֲטִֽא׃ פya.cha.Ti'H2398.

17And the menוְאִ֨ישׁve.'IshH376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֜לYis.ra.'ElH3478,beside Benjaminמִבִּנְיָמִ֔ןmi.bin.ya.MinH1144,were numberedהִתְפָּֽקְד֗וּhit.pa.ke.DuH6485fourאַרְבַּ֨ע'ar.Ba'H702hundredמֵא֥וֹתme.'otH3967thousandאֶ֛לֶף'E.lefH505menאִ֖ישׁ'ishH376that drewשֹׁ֣לֵֽףSho.lefH8025swordחָ֑רֶבCha.revH2719: all these weremenאִ֥ישׁ'ishH376of warמִלְחָמָֽה׃mil.cha.MahH4421.

18And the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478aroseוַיָּקֻ֜מוּvai.ya.Ku.muH6965,and went upוַיַּעֲל֣וּvai.ya.'a.LuH5927to the houseH1004of Godבֵאלֹהִים֒ve.lo.HimH1008 H430,and askedוַיִּשְׁאֲל֣וּvai.yish.'a.LuH7592counsel of GodH430,and saidוַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙vai.yo.me.RuH559,Whichמִ֚יmiH4310of us shall go upיַעֲלֶה־ya.'a.leh-H5927firstבַתְּחִלָּ֔הva.te.chi.LahH8462to the battleלַמִּלְחָמָ֖הla.mil.cha.MahH4421against the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֑ןvin.ya.MinH1144?And Yhwhיְהוָ֖הYah.wehH3068saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559,Judahיְהוּדָ֥הye.hu.DahH3063shall go upfirstבַתְּחִלָּֽה׃va.te.chi.LahH8462.

19And the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478rose upוַיָּק֥וּמוּvai.ya.Ku.muH6965in the morningבַּבֹּ֑קֶרba.Bo.kerH1242,and encampedוַיַּֽחֲנ֖וּvai.ya.cha.NuH2583against Gibeahהַגִּבְעָֽה׃ פha.giv.'AhH1390.

20And the menאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478went outוַיֵּצֵא֙vai.ye.Tze'H3318to battleלַמִּלְחָמָ֖הla.mil.cha.MahH4421against Benjaminבִּנְיָמִ֑ןbin.ya.MinH1144;and the menאִֽישׁ־'ish-H376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לYis.ra.'ElH3478put themselves in arrayוַיַּעַרְכ֨וּvai.ya.'ar.KhuH6186to fightמִלְחָמָ֖הmil.cha.MahH4421against them at Gibeahהַגִּבְעָֽה׃ha.giv.'AhH1390.

21And the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֖ןvin.ya.MinH1144came forthוַיֵּצְא֥וּvai.ye.tze.'UH3318out of Gibeahהַגִּבְעָ֑הha.giv.'AhH1390,and destroyed downוַיַּשְׁחִ֨יתוּvai.yash.Chi.tuH7843to the groundאָֽרְצָה׃'A.re.tzahH776of the Israelitesבְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜לve.Yis.ra.'ElH3478that dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbai.YomH3117twentyוְעֶשְׂרִ֥יםve.'es.RimH6242and twoשְׁנַ֨יִםshe.Na.yimH8147thousandאֶ֛לֶף'E.lefH505menאִ֖ישׁ'ishH376.

22And the peopleהָעָ֖םha.'AmH5971the menאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478encouragedוַיִּתְחַזֵּ֥קvai.yit.cha.ZekH2388themselves, and set their battleמִלְחָמָ֔הmil.cha.MahH4421againוַיֹּסִ֙פוּ֙vai.yo.Si.fuH3254in arrayלַעֲרֹ֣ךְla.'a.RokhH6186in the placeבַּמָּק֕וֹםba.ma.KomH4725where they put themselves in arrayעָ֥רְכוּ'A.re.khuH6186the firstהָרִאשֽׁוֹן׃ha.ri.ShonH7223dayבַּיּ֥וֹםbai.YomH3117.

23(And the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לYis.ra.'ElH3478went upוַיַּעֲל֣וּvai.ya.'a.LuH5927and weptוַיִּבְכּ֣וּvai.yiv.KuH1058beforeלִפְנֵֽי־lif.nei-H6440Yhwhיְהוָה֮Yah.wehH3068until evenהָעֶרֶב֒ha.'e.RevH6153,and askedוַיִּשְׁאֲל֤וּvai.yish.'a.LuH7592counsel of Yhwhבַֽיהוָה֙ba.Yah.wehH3068,sayingלֵאמֹ֔רle.MorH559,Shall I go upלָגֶ֙שֶׁת֙la.Ge.shetH5066againהַאוֹסִ֗יףha.'o.SifH3254to battleלַמִּלְחָמָ֔הla.mil.cha.MahH4421against the childrenבְּנֵ֥יbe.NeiH1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֖ןvin.ya.MinH1144my brotherאָחִ֑י'a.ChiH251?And Yhwhיְהוָ֖הYah.wehH3068saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559,Go upעֲל֥וּ'a.LuH5927against him.)

24And the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לYis.ra.'ElH3478came nearוַיִּקְרְב֧וּvai.yik.re.VuH7126against the childrenבְּנֵ֥יbe.NeiH1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֖ןvin.ya.MinH1144the secondהַשֵּׁנִֽי׃ha.she.NiH8145dayבַּיּ֥וֹםbai.YomH3117.

25And Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֨ן׀vin.ya.MinH1144went forthוַיֵּצֵא֩vai.ye.Tze'H3318againstH7125them out of Gibeahהַגִּבְעָה֮ha.giv.'AhH1390the secondהַשֵּׁנִי֒ha.she.NiH8145dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbai.YomH3117,and destroyed downוַיַּשְׁחִיתוּ֩vai.yash.chi.TuH7843to the groundאָ֑רְצָה'A.re.tzahH776of the childrenבִבְנֵ֨יviv.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֜לYis.ra.'ElH3478again eighteenשְׁמֹנַ֨ת עָשָׂ֥רshe.mo.Nat 'a.SarH6240 H8083thousandאֶ֛לֶף'E.lefH505menאִ֖ישׁ'ishH376;all these drewשֹׁ֥לְפֵיSho.le.feiH8025the swordחָֽרֶב׃Cha.revH2719.

26Then all the childrenבְּנֵי֩be.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֨לYis.ra.'ElH3478,and all the peopleהָעָ֜םha.'AmH5971,went upוַיַּעֲל֣וּvai.ya.'a.LuH5927,and cameוַיָּבֹ֣אוּvai.ya.Vo.'uH935unto the houseH1004of GodH1008 H430,and weptוַיִּבְכּוּ֙vai.yiv.KuH1058,and satוַיֵּ֤שְׁבוּvai.Ye.she.vuH3427there beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlif.NeiH6440Yhwhיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068,and fastedוַיָּצ֥וּמוּvai.ya.Tzu.muH6684that dayבַיּוֹם־vai.yom-H3117until evenהָעָ֑רֶבha.'A.revH6153,and offeredוַֽיַּעֲל֛וּvai.ya.'a.LuH5927burnt offeringsעֹל֥וֹתo.LotH5930and peace offeringsוּשְׁלָמִ֖יםu.she.la.MimH8002beforeלִפְנֵ֥יlif.NeiH6440Yhwhיְהוָֽה׃Yah.wehH3068.

27And the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478enquiredוַיִּשְׁאֲל֥וּvai.yish.'a.LuH7592of Yhwhבַּֽיהוָ֑הba.Yah.wehH3068, (for the arkאֲרוֹן֙'a.rOnH727of the covenantבְּרִ֣יתbe.RitH1285of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֔יםha.'E.lo.HimH430wasthere in those daysבַּיָּמִ֖יםbai.ya.MimH3117,

28And Phinehasוּ֠פִינְחָסU.fin.chosH6372,the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Eleazarאֶלְעָזָ֨ר'el.'a.ZarH499,the sonבֶּֽן־ben-H1121of Aaronאַהֲרֹ֜ן'a.ha.RonH175,stoodעֹמֵ֣ד׀'o.MedH5975beforeלְפָנָ֗יוle.fa.NavH6440it in those daysבַּיָּמִ֣יםbai.ya.MimH3117,)sayingלֵאמֹר֒le.MorH559,Shall I yet againהַאוֹסִ֨ףha.'o.SifH3254go outלָצֵ֧אתla.TzetH3318to battleלַמִּלְחָמָ֛הla.mil.cha.MahH4421against the childrenבְּנֵֽי־be.nei-H1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֥ןvin.ya.MinH1144my brotherאָחִ֖י'a.ChiH251,or shall I ceaseאֶחְדָּ֑ל'ech.DalH2308?And Yhwhיְהוָה֙Yah.wehH3068saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559,Go upעֲל֔וּ'a.LuH5927;for to morrowמָחָ֖רma.CharH4279I will deliverאֶתְּנֶ֥נּוּ'et.te.Ne.nuH5414them into thine handבְיָדֶֽךָ׃ve.ya.De.khaH3027.

29And Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙Yis.ra.'ElH3478setוַיָּ֤שֶׂםvai.Ya.semH7760liers in waitאֹֽרְבִ֔ים'o.re.VimH693round aboutסָבִֽיב׃ פsa.VivH5439Gibeahהַגִּבְעָ֖הha.giv.'AhH1390.

30And the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לYis.ra.'ElH3478went upוַיַּעֲל֧וּvai.ya.'a.LuH5927against the childrenבְּנֵ֥יbe.NeiH1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֖ןvin.ya.MinH1144on the thirdהַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑יha.she.li.ShiH7992dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbai.YomH3117,and put themselves in arrayוַיַּעַרְכ֥וּvai.ya.'ar.KhuH6186against Gibeahהַגִּבְעָ֖הha.giv.'AhH1390,as at other timesH6471.

31And the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִן֙vin.ya.MinH1144went outוַיֵּצְא֤וּvai.ye.tze.'UH3318againstH7125the peopleהָעָ֔םha.'AmH5971, andwere drawn awayהָנְתְּק֖וּha.ne.te.KuH5423from the cityהָעִ֑ירha.'IrH5892;and they beganוַיָּחֵ֡לּוּvai.ya.Che.luH2490to smiteלְהַכּוֹת֩le.ha.kOtH5221of the peopleמֵהָעָ֨םme.ha.'AmH5971, andkillחֲלָלִ֜יםcha.la.LimH2491,as at other timesH6471,in the highwaysבַּֽמְסִלּוֹת֙bam.si.lOtH4546,of which oneאַחַ֜ת'a.ChatH259goeth upעֹלָ֣ה'o.LahH5927to the houseH1004of GodH1008 H430,and the otherוְאַחַ֤תve.'a.ChatH259to Gibeahגִּבְעָ֙תָה֙giv.'A.tahH1390in the fieldבַּשָּׂדֶ֔הba.sa.DehH7704,about thirtyכִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥יםkish.lo.ShimH7970menאִ֖ישׁ'ishH376of Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃be.Yis.ra.'ElH3478.

32And the childrenבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִ֔ןvin.ya.MinH1144saidוַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙vai.yo.me.RuH559, They aresmitten downנִגָּפִ֥יםni.ga.FimH5062beforeלְפָנֵ֖ינוּle.fa.Nei.nuH6440us, as at the firstכְּבָרִאשֹׁנָ֑הke.va.ri.sho.NahH7223.But the childrenוּבְנֵ֧יu.ve.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֣לYis.ra.'ElH3478saidאָמְר֗וּ'a.me.RuH559,Let us fleeנָנ֙וּסָה֙na.Nu.sahH5127,and drawוּֽנְתַקְּנֻ֔הוּu.ne.ta.ke.Nu.huH5423them from the cityהָעִ֖ירha.'IrH5892unto the highwaysהַֽמְסִלּֽוֹת׃Ham.si.LotH4546.

33And all the menאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לYis.ra.'ElH3478rose upקָ֚מוּKa.muH6965out of their placeמִמְּקוֹמ֔וֹmi.me.ko.MoH4725,and put themselves in arrayוַיַּעַרְכ֖וּvai.ya.'ar.KhuH6186at Baal–tamarH1193:and the liers in waitוְאֹרֵ֧בve.'o.RevH693of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לYis.ra.'ElH3478came forthמֵגִ֥יחַme.Gi.achH1518out of their placesמִמְּקֹמ֖וֹmi.me.ko.MoH4725, evenout of the meadowsמִמַּֽעֲרֵה־mi.ma.'a.reh-H4629of Gibeahגָֽבַע׃Ga.va'H1387.

34And there cameוַיָּבֹאוּ֩vai.ya.vo.'UH935againstמִנֶּ֨גֶדmi.Ne.gedH5048Gibeahלַגִּבְעָ֜הla.giv.'AhH1390tenעֲשֶׂרֶת֩'a.se.RetH6235thousandאֲלָפִ֨ים'a.la.FimH505chosenבָּחוּר֙ba.ChurH977menאִ֤ישׁ'ishH376out of all Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478,and the battleוְהַמִּלְחָמָ֖הve.ha.mil.cha.MahH4421was soreכָּבֵ֑דָהka.Ve.dahH3513:but they knewיָדְע֔וּya.de.'UH3045not that evilהָרָעָֽה׃ פha.ra.'AhH7451wasnearנֹגַ֥עַתno.Ga.'atH5060them.

35And Yhwhיְהוָ֥ה׀Yah.wehH3068smoteוַיִּגֹּ֨ףvai.yi.GofH5062BenjaminH1144beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlif.NeiH6440Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֒Yis.ra.'ElH3478:and the childrenבְנֵ֨יve.NeiH1121of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֤לYis.ra.'ElH3478destroyedוַיַּשְׁחִיתוּ֩vai.yash.chi.TuH7843of the BenjamitesH1145that dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbai.YomH3117twentyעֶשְׂרִ֨ים'es.RimH6242and fiveוַחֲמִשָּׁ֥הva.cha.mi.ShahH2568thousandאֶ֛לֶף'E.lefH505and an hundredוּמֵאָ֖הu.me.'AhH3967menאִ֑ישׁ'IshH376:all these drewשֹׁ֥לֵףSho.lefH8025the swordחָֽרֶב׃Cha.revH2719.

36So the childrenבְנֵֽי־ve.nei-H1121of BenjaminH1144sawוַיִּרְא֥וּvai.yir.'UH7200that they were smittenנִגָּ֑פוּni.Ga.fuH5062:for the menאִֽישׁ־'ish-H376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֤לYis.ra.'ElH3478gaveוַיִּתְּנ֨וּvai.yi.te.NuH5414placeמָקוֹם֙ma.kOmH4725to the BenjamitesH1145,because they trustedבָֽטְחוּ֙va.te.ChuH982unto the liers in waitהָ֣אֹרֵ֔בha.'o.RevH693which they had setשָׂ֖מוּSa.muH7760beside Gibeahהַגִּבְעָֽה׃ha.giv.'AhH1390.

37And the liers in waitוְהָאֹרֵ֣בve.ha.'o.RevH693hastedהֵחִ֔ישׁוּhe.Chi.shuH2363,and rushedוַֽיִּפְשְׁט֖וּvai.yif.she.TuH6584upon Gibeahהַגִּבְעָ֑הha.giv.'AhH1390;and the liers in waitהָאֹרֵ֔בha.'o.RevH693drew themselvesalongוַיִּמְשֹׁךְ֙vai.yim.shoKhH4900,and smoteוַיַּ֥ךְvai.YakhH5221all the cityהָעִ֖ירha.'IrH5892with the edgeלְפִי־le.fi-H6310of the swordחָֽרֶב׃Cha.revH2719.

38Now there was an appointed signוְהַמּוֹעֵ֗דve.ha.mo.'EdH4150between the menלְאִ֥ישׁle.'IshH376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478andעִם־'im-H5973the liers in waitהָאֹרֵ֑בha.'o.RevH693,that they should make a greatהֶ֕רֶבHe.revH7235flameמַשְׂאַ֥תmas.'AtH4864with smokeהֶעָשָׁ֖ןhe.'a.ShanH6227rise upלְהַעֲלוֹתָ֛םle.ha.'a.lo.TamH5927out of the cityהָעִֽיר׃ha.'IrH5892.

39And when the menאִֽישׁ־'ish-H376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478retiredוַיַּהֲפֹ֥ךְvai.ya.ha.FokhH2015in the battleבַּמִּלְחָמָ֑הba.mil.cha.MahH4421,Benjaminוּבִנְיָמִ֡ןu.vin.ya.MinH1144beganהֵחֵל֩he.ChelH2490to smiteלְהַכּ֨וֹתle.ha.KotH5221andkillחֲלָלִ֤יםcha.la.LimH2491of the menבְּאִֽישׁ־be.'ish-H376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙Yis.ra.'ElH3478about thirtyכִּשְׁלֹשִׁ֣יםkish.lo.ShimH7970personsאִ֔ישׁ'IshH376:for they saidאָמְר֔וּ'a.me.RuH559,Surelyנִגּ֨וֹףni.GofH5062they are smitten downנִגָּ֥ףni.GafH5062beforeלְפָנֵ֔ינוּle.fa.Nei.nuH6440us, as inthe firstהָרִאשֹׁנָֽה׃ha.ri.sho.NahH7223battleכַּמִּלְחָמָ֖הka.mil.cha.MahH4421.

40But when the flameוְהַמַּשְׂאֵ֗תve.ha.mas.'EtH4864beganהֵחֵ֛לָּהhe.Che.lahH2490to arise upלַעֲל֥וֹתla.'a.LotH5927out of the cityהָעִ֖ירha.'IrH5892with a pillarעַמּ֣וּד'a.MudH5982of smokeעָשָׁ֑ן'a.ShanH6227,the BenjamitesH1145lookedוַיִּ֤פֶןvai.Yi.fenH6437behindאַחֲרָ֔יו'a.cha.RavH310them, and, behold, the flameכְלִיל־khe.lil-H3632of the cityהָעִ֖ירha.'IrH5892ascended upעָלָ֥ה'a.LahH5927to heavenהַשָּׁמָֽיְמָה׃ha.sha.Ma.ye.mahH8064.

41And when the menוְאִ֤ישׁve.'IshH376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙Yis.ra.'ElH3478turned againהָפַ֔ךְha.FakhH2015,the menאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376of Benjaminבִּנְיָמִ֑ןbin.ya.MinH1144were amazedוַיִּבָּהֵ֖לvai.yi.ba.HelH926:for they sawרָאָ֔הra.'AhH7200that evilהָרָעָֽה׃ha.ra.'AhH7451was comeנָגְעָ֥הna.ge.'AhH5060upon them.

42Therefore they turnedוַיִּפְנ֞וּvai.yif.NuH6437their backsbeforeלִפְנֵ֨יlif.NeiH6440the menאִ֤ישׁ'ishH376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵל֙Yis.ra.'ElH3478unto the wayדֶּ֣רֶךְDe.rekhH1870of the wildernessהַמִּדְבָּ֔רha.mid.BarH4057;but the battleוְהַמִּלְחָמָ֖הve.ha.mil.cha.MahH4421overtookהִדְבִּיקָ֑תְהוּhid.bi.Ka.te.huH1692them; and them which cameout of the citiesמֵהֶ֣עָרִ֔יםme.He.'a.RimH5892they destroyedמַשְׁחִיתִ֥יםmash.chi.TimH7843in the midstבְּתוֹכֽוֹ׃be.to.KhoH8432of them.

43Thusthey inclosedH3803the BenjamitesH1145round aboutH3803, andchasedהִרְדִיפֻ֔הוּhir.di.Fu.huH7291them, andtrode them downהִדְרִיכֻ֑הוּhid.ri.Khu.huH1869with easeמְנוּחָ֖הme.nu.ChahH4496over againstנֹ֥כַחNo.khachH5227Gibeahהַגִּבְעָ֖הha.giv.'AhH1390toward the sunrisingמִמִּזְרַח־ שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃mi.miz.rach- Sha.meshH8121 H4217.

44And there fellוַֽיִּפְּלוּ֙vai.yi.pe.LuH5307of Benjaminמִבִּנְיָמִ֔ןmi.bin.ya.MinH1144eighteenשְׁמֹנָֽה־ עָשָׂ֥רshe.mo.nah- 'a.SarH6240 H8083thousandאֶ֖לֶף'E.lefH505menאִ֑ישׁ'IshH376; all these weremenאַנְשֵׁי־'an.shei-H582of valourחָֽיִל׃Cha.yilH2428.

45And they turnedוַיִּפְנ֞וּvai.yif.NuH6437and fledוַיָּנֻ֤סוּvai.ya.Nu.suH5127toward the wildernessהַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙ha.mid.Ba.rahH4057unto the rockסֶ֣לַעSe.la'H5553of Rimmonהָֽרִמּ֔וֹןha.ri.MonH7417:and they gleanedוַיְעֹֽלְלֻ֙הוּ֙vay.'o.le.Lu.huH5953of them in the highwaysבַּֽמְסִלּ֔וֹתbam.si.LotH4546fiveחֲמֵ֥שֶׁתcha.Me.shetH2568thousandאֲלָפִ֖ים'a.la.FimH505menאִ֑ישׁ'IshH376;and pursuedוַיַּדְבִּ֤יקוּvai.yad.Bi.kuH1692hard afterאַחֲרָיו֙'a.cha.RavH310them unto Gidomגִּדְעֹ֔םgid.'OmH1440,and slewוַיַּכּ֥וּvai.ya.KuH5221two thousandאַלְפַּ֥יִם'al.Pa.yimH505menאִֽישׁ׃'IshH376of them.

46So that all which fellהַנֹּ֨פְלִ֜יםha.No.fe.LimH5307that dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbai.YomH3117of Benjaminמִבִּנְיָמִ֗ןmi.bin.ya.MinH1144were twentyעֶשְׂרִים֩'es.RimH6242and fiveוַחֲמִשָּׁ֨הva.cha.mi.ShahH2568thousandאֶ֥לֶף'E.lefH505menאִ֛ישׁ'ishH376that drewשֹׁ֥לֵֽףSho.lefH8025the swordחֶ֖רֶבChe.revH2719; all these weremenאַנְשֵׁי־'an.shei-H582of valourחָֽיִל׃Cha.yilH2428.

47But sixשֵׁ֥שׁsheshH8337hundredמֵא֖וֹתme.'otH3967menאִ֑ישׁ'IshH376turnedוַיִּפְנ֞וּvai.yif.NuH6437and fledוַיָּנֻ֤סוּvai.ya.Nu.suH5127to the wildernessהַמִּדְבָּ֙רָה֙ha.mid.Ba.rahH4057unto the rockסֶ֣לַעSe.la'H5553Rimmonהָֽרִמּ֔וֹןha.ri.MonH7417,and abodeוַיֵּֽשְׁבוּ֙vai.ye.she.VuH3427in the rockבְּסֶ֣לַעbe.Se.la'H5553Rimmonרִמּ֔וֹןri.MonH7417fourאַרְבָּעָ֖ה'ar.ba.'AhH702monthsחֳדָשִֽׁים׃cho.da.ShimH2320.

48And the menוְאִ֨ישׁve.'IshH376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֜לYis.ra.'ElH3478turned againשָׁ֣בוּSha.vuH7725upon the childrenבְּנֵ֤יbe.NeiH1121of Benjaminבִנְיָמִן֙vin.ya.MinH1144,and smoteוַיַּכּ֣וּםvai.ya.KumH5221them with the edgeלְפִי־le.fi-H6310of the swordחֶ֔רֶבChe.revH2719,as well the menמְתֹם֙me.TomH4974of everycityמֵעִ֤ירme.'IrH5892,asH5704the beastבְּהֵמָ֔הbe.he.MahH929,and all that came to handהַנִּמְצָ֑אha.nim.Tza'H4672:also they setשִׁלְּח֥וּshi.le.ChuH7971on fireבָאֵֽשׁ׃ פva.'EshH784all the citiesהֶעָרִ֥יםhe.'a.RimH5892that they came toהַנִּמְצָא֖וֹתha.nim.tza.'otH4672.

Commentaries on Judges 20