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Judges 20:40

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 20:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and, behold, the whole of the city went up [in smoke] to heaven.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and, behold, the whole of the city went up [in smoke] to heaven.
Judges 20:40 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
37And the liers-in-wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers-in-wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.
38Now the appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers-in-wait was, that they should make a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city.
39And the men of Israel turned in the battle, and Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons; for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
40But when the cloud began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them; and, behold, the whole of the city went up [in smoke] to heaven.
41And the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed; for they saw that evil was come upon them.
42Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle followed hard after them; and they that came out of the cities destroyed them in the midst thereof.
43They inclosed the Benjamites round about, [and] chased them, [and] trod them down at [their] resting-place, as far as over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.
← Judges 20:39Judges 20:41 →
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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
“But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, etc.] Fire being set to it by the liers in wait, who had entered it, and who made a large fire, which caused a vast pillar of flame and smoke to arise, which might be seen a great way off: the Benjamites looked behind them; perhaps at hearing the blowing of the trumpet, and the long sound of that: and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven; went upwards, and reached to a great height.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a pillar: Gen 19:28; Sol 3:6; Joe 2:30; Rev 19:3 looked: Jos 8:20 flame: Heb. whole consumption Judges 20:41”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification