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Judges 20:31

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 20:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Judges 20:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28and Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days), saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And Jehovah said, Go up; for to-morrow I will deliver him into thy hand.
29And Israel set liers-in-wait against Gibeah round about.
30And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and set themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
31And 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.
32And the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them away from the city unto the highways.
33And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and set themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers-in-wait of Israel brake forth out of their place, even out of Maareh-geba.
34And there came over against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore; but they knew not that evil was close upon them.
← Judges 20:30Judges 20:32 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, etc.] Sallied out of Gibeah upon them, where they had put themselves in array against them: and were drawn away from the city; the Israelites retreating, and dissembling a flight, which drew the Benjaminites to pursue after them, by which means they were drawn off to a greater distance from the city of Gibeah: and they began to smite the people, and kill as at other times; at the other two battles; in the highways; where it seems two ways met: of which one goeth up to the house of God; to Bethel, as the Targum f426; or rather to Shiloh, where the house or tabernacle of God was, and was two miles from Gibeah, as Bunting f427 says: and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To the house of God - “To Bethel,” as in the margin. On “Gibeah in the field,” see Joshua 18:24 note. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“drawn: Jos 8:14-16 smite of the people, and kill, as at: Heb. smite of the people wounded as at, etc the house of God: or, Beth-el, Gibeah. Jdg 19:13, Jdg 19:14; Isa 10:29 thirty: Jos 7:5 Judges 20:32”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification