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Nach YomiJudges · שו׀טיםChapter 20

Judges 20

שו׀טים ׀ךק כ׳

Section: נביאים · נביאים ךאשונים | Book: Judges | Chapter: 20 of 21 | Day: 44 of 742

Date: March 27, 2026

קלאוד על הנ׮ך

Judges 20 is one of the most devastating chapters in the entire biblical canon, narrating an internecine war that nearly annihilates the tribe of Benjamin. The chapter functions as the climactic act of the three-chapter epilogue (chapters 19-21) that closes the book of Judges, and its literary design is both sophisticated and deeply unsettling. What begins as a justified demand for communal accountability — the assembly at Mizpah (ha-Mitzpah) responding to the atrocity at Gibeah — escalates into a total war whose consequences far exceed the original crime. The phrase “from Dan to Beer-sheba” (mi-Dan ve-ad Be’er Sheva) signals a rare moment of pan-Israelite unity, yet the chapter exposes how even collective moral outrage, when untempered by wisdom and genuine repentance, can produce catastrophic results.

The narrative structure is built around three successive battles, each revealing a different dimension of the relationship between Israel and God. In the first two engagements, despite their overwhelming numerical superiority of 400,000 against Benjamin’s 26,700, Israel suffers staggering defeats: 22,000 fallen on the first day and 18,000 on the second. The classical commentators, particularly Rashi and Radak drawing on Sanhedrin 103b, explain these losses as divine punishment for a telling moral inconsistency — Israel mobilized to avenge the violation of a human being at Gibeah but had previously ignored the idolatry of Micah’s graven image (pesel Mikhah) described in chapters 17-18. God’s rebuke, delivered through military defeat, carries a pointed theological message: selective moral outrage that champions interpersonal justice while tolerating offenses against the divine order reveals a flawed spiritual foundation.

The turning point comes before the third battle, when Israel’s inquiry at the sanctuary undergoes a qualitative transformation. In the first two consultations, the Israelites ask only procedural questions — “Who shall go up first?” and “Shall we fight again?” — receiving ambiguous divine responses that authorize engagement without promising victory. Only on the third occasion, with the text now explicitly noting the presence of the Ark of the Covenant (Aron Brit ha-Elohim) and the High Priest Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron, does Israel ask the complete question: “Shall we go out again, or shall we cease?” (ha-osif od latzeit la-milchamah
 im echdal). God’s response is correspondingly unambiguous: “Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hands” (alu ki machar etnennu be-yadekha). The progression in the quality of Israel’s prayer — from presumptuous certainty to weeping and fasting to genuine surrender — mirrors a process of teshuvah that the text presents as prerequisite for divine assistance.

The military stratagem Israel employs on the third day — a feigned retreat drawing Benjamin out of Gibeah while an ambush force seizes and burns the city — bears striking resemblance to Joshua’s conquest of Ai in Joshua 8. This literary parallel is unlikely accidental; it invites the reader to compare the generation that conquered the land under Joshua’s leadership with the generation that now turns the same tactics against fellow Israelites. The signal of the column of smoke (mas’et he-ashan) rising from Gibeah echoes the smoke of Ai and Sodom alike, and the total destruction visited upon Benjamin — 25,100 warriors killed, cities burned, civilians put to the sword — raises uncomfortable questions about proportionality and the moral cost of collective punishment.

The chapter’s concluding verses, in which only 600 Benjaminite men survive by fleeing to the Rock of Rimmon (Sela ha-Rimmon), set the stage for the desperate crisis of chapter 21. Read within the broader architecture of Judges, this chapter stands as the ultimate illustration of the book’s recurring refrain: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (ish ha-yashar be-einav ya’aseh). The tragedy is not simply that a crime occurred at Gibeah, but that the response to that crime, pursued without adequate spiritual self-examination, nearly destroyed an entire tribe and tore apart the fabric of the Israelite confederation. The theological lesson embedded in the narrative is that righteous indignation, however justified, must be accompanied by introspection and humility before God — a theme that resonates far beyond the historical circumstances of the period of the Judges.

׀ךק כ׳ · Chapter 20

׀סוק א׳ · Verse 1

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֵ׊ְאו֌֮ כ֌ׇל֟ב֌ְנֵ֣י י֎שְׂך֞אֵל֒ וַת֌֎ק֌֞הֵ֚ל ה֞עֵד֞֜ה כ֌ְא֎֣ישׁ אֶח֞֗ד לְמ֎ד֌֞ן֙ וְעַד֟ב֌ְאֵ֣ך שֶׁ֔בַע וְאֶ֖ךֶץ הַג֌֎לְע֑֞ד אֶל֟יְהֹו֖֞ה הַמ֌֎׊ְ׀֌֞֜ה׃

English:

Thereupon all the Israelites—from Dan to Beer-sheba and [from] the land of Gilead—marched forth, and the community assembled as one, before GOD at Mizpah.

All Israel, from the northernmost city of Dan to the southernmost Beer-sheba, including the Transjordan territory of Gilead, assembles with complete unity at Mizpah before God to address the atrocity committed at Gibeah.

׀סוק ב׳ · Verse 2

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎֜תְיַ׊֌ְב֞ו֌ ׀֌֎נ֌֣וֹת כ֌ׇל֟ה֞ע֞֗ם כ֌ֹ֚ל שׁ֎בְטֵ֣י י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֔ל ב֌֎קְהַ֖ל עַ֣ם ה֞אֱלֹה֎֑ים אַךְב֌ַ֚ע מֵא֥וֹת אֶ֛לֶף א֎֥ישׁ ךַגְל֎֖י שֹׁ֥לֵ֜ף֟ח֞֜ךֶב׃ {×€}

English:

All the leaders of the people [and] all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of God’s people, 400,000 fighters on foot.—

The leaders of all the tribes present themselves in the assembly, mustering an enormous force of 400,000 armed foot soldiers — a demonstration of the gravity with which Israel treats this crisis.
ךש׎יRashi
׀֎֌נ֌וֹת כ֞֌ל ה֞ע֞ם. (תךגום:) ךֵישֵׁי כ֞֌ל עַמ֞֌א:
The leaders of the entire people. The heads of the entire people.1This is Targum Yonasan’s translation.

׀סוק ג׳ · Verse 3

Hebrew:

וַ֜י֌֎שְׁמְעו֌֙ ב֌ְנֵ֣י ב֮נְי־מ֮֔ן כ֌֎֜י֟ע֞ל֥ו֌ בְנֵ֜י֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֖ל הַמ֌֎׊ְ׀֌֑֞ה וַי֌ֹ֜אמְךו֌֙ ב֌ְנֵ֣י י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֔ל ד֌ַב֌ְך֕ו֌ אֵיכ֥֞ה נ֎הְיְת֖֞ה ה֞ך֞ע֥֞ה הַז֌ֹ֜את׃

English:

The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had come up to Mizpah.aThis sentence is continued at v. 14 below.—The Israelites said, “Tell us, how did this evil thing happen?”

Benjamin hears of the gathering but takes no action, while the assembled Israelites demand a formal account of the crime, asking how this terrible evil came to pass.

׀סוק ד׳ · Verse 4

Hebrew:

וַי֌ַ֜עַן ה֞א֎֣ישׁ הַל֌ֵו֎֗י א֎֛ישׁ ה֞א֎שׁ֌֥֞ה הַנ֌֎ךְ׊֞ח֖֞ה וַי֌ֹאמַ֑ך הַג֌֎בְע֞֙ת֞ה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ך לְב֮נְי־מ֮֔ן ב֌֛֞את֎י אֲנ֎֥י ו֌׀֎ילַגְשׁ֎֖י ל֞ל֜ו֌ן׃

English:

And that Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, replied, “My concubine and I came to Gibeah of Benjamin to spend the night.

The Levite, identified pointedly as the husband of the murdered woman, begins his testimony by recounting how he and his concubine came to Gibeah of Benjamin to lodge for the night.

׀סוק ה׳ · Verse 5

Hebrew:

וַי֌֞קֻրמו֌ ע֞לַי֙ ב֌ַעֲלֵ֣י הַג֌֎בְע֞֔ה וַי֌֞סֹ֧ב֌ו֌ ע֞לַ֛י אֶת֟הַב֌ַ֖י֎ת ל־֑יְל־ה אוֹת֎י֙ ד֌֎מ֌֣ו֌ לַהֲךֹ֔ג וְאֶת֟׀֌֎ילַגְשׁ֎֥י ע֎נ֌֖ו֌ וַת֌֞מֹ֜ת׃

English:

The citizens of Gibeah set out to harm me. They gathered against me around the house in the night; they meant to kill me, and they abused my concubine until she died.

The Levite testifies that the men of Gibeah surrounded the house intending to kill him, and instead violated his concubine so brutally that she died — making clear the crime was both attempted murder and fatal assault.
ךש׎יRashi
ד֎֌מ֌ו֌ לַהֲךֹג. כ֎֌וְ֌נו֌ לַהֲךֹג, אנישמינט׎ו בְ֌לַעַ׎ז:
They thought they would murder me. They intended to murder me. "Apesment" in old French.

׀סוק ו׳ · Verse 6

Hebrew:

ו֞אֹחֵրז ב֌ְ׀֎֜ילַגְשׁ֎י֙ ו֞֜אֲנַת֌ְחֶ֔ה֞ ו֞֜אֲשַׁל֌ְחֶ֔ה֞ ב֌ְכׇל֟שְׂדֵ֖ה נַחֲלַ֣ת י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֑ל כ֌֎֥י ע֞שׂ֛ו֌ ז֎מ֌֥֞ה ו֌נְב֞ל֖֞ה ב֌ְי֎שְׂך֞אֵ֜ל׃

English:

So I took hold of my concubine and I cut her in pieces and sent them through every part of Israel’s territory. For an outrageous act of depravity had been committed in Israel.

The Levite explains his drastic act of dismembering his concubine's body and sending the pieces throughout Israel's territory, done to rouse the nation against this public act of depravity committed in their midst.

׀סוק ז׳ · Verse 7

Hebrew:

ה֎נ֌ֵ֥ה כֻל֌ְכֶ֖ם ב֌ְנֵ֣י י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֑ל ה֞ב֥ו֌ ל֞כֶ֛ם ד֌֞ב֥֞ך וְעֵ׊֖֞ה הֲלֹ֜ם׃

English:

Now you are all Israelites; produce a plan of action here and now!”

The Levite concludes his appeal by calling on all Israelites to take collective responsibility as a holy nation and produce a plan of action to address this outrage that affects them all.

׀סוק ח׳ · Verse 8

Hebrew:

וַי֌֞֙קׇם֙ כ֌ׇל֟ה֞ע֞֔ם כ֌ְא֎֥ישׁ אֶח֖֞ד לֵאמֹ֑ך לֹրא נֵלֵךְ֙ א֎֣ישׁ לְאׇהֳל֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א נ֞ס֖ו֌ך א֎֥ישׁ לְבֵית֜וֹ׃

English:

Then all the people rose as one and declared, “We will not go back to our homes, we will not enter our houses!

The entire assembly rises as one and vows not to return home until the matter is resolved, demonstrating their unified determination to see justice carried out against Gibeah.

׀סוק ט׳ · Verse 9

Hebrew:

וְעַת֌֞֕ה זֶ֣ה הַד֌֞ב֞֔ך אֲשֶׁ֥ך נַעֲשֶׂ֖ה לַג֌֎בְע֑֞ה ע֞לֶ֖יה֞ ב֌ְגוֹך֞֜ל׃

English:

But this is what we will do to Gibeah: [we will wage war] against it according to lot.

The people declare their military plan: they will march against Gibeah, using lots to organize the campaign and determine each tribe's role in the attack.

׀סוק י׮ · Verse 10

Hebrew:

וְל֞קַ֣חְנו֌ עֲשׂ֞ך֞ה֩ אֲנ֞שׁ֎֚ים לַמ֌ֵא֞֜ה לְכֹ֣ל ׀ שׁ֎בְטֵ֣י י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֗ל ו֌מֵא֞րה ל֞אֶ֙לֶף֙ וְאֶ֣לֶף ל֞֜ךְב֞ב֞֔ה ל֞קַ֥חַת ׊ֵד֖֞ה ל֞ע֑֞ם לַעֲשׂ֗וֹת לְבוֹא֞ם֙ לְגֶ֣בַע ב֌֎נְי֞מ֎֔ן כ֌ְכׇ֚ל֟הַנ֌ְב֞ל֞֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ך ע֞שׂ֖֞ה ב֌ְי֎שְׂך֞אֵ֜ל׃

English:

We will take from all the tribes of Israel ten of every hundred, a hundred of every thousand, and a thousand of every ten thousand to supply provisions for the troops—to prepare for their going to Geba in Benjaminbto prepare for their going to Geba in Benjamin Emendation yields “for those who go to requite Gibeah.” for all the outrage it has committed in Israel.”

A tithe of the army — one in ten from each tribe — is assigned to gather provisions for the fighting force, ensuring the troops marching against Gibeah are properly supplied for what they expect to be a decisive punitive campaign.
ךש׎יRashi
לַעֲשׂוֹת לְבוֹא֞ם. לְב֎יא֞ת֞ם זוֹ לְג֎בְעַת ב֎֌נְי֞מ֎ין ׳כְ֌כ֞ל הַנְ֌ב֞ל֞ה׳ וְגוֹ׳:
When taking action in their engagement in this engagement with Givas Binyomin, as befits their entirely loathsome, etc.

׀סוק י׮א · Verse 11

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֵא֞סֵ֞ף כ֌ׇל֟א֎րישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵל֙ אֶל֟ה֞ע֎֔יך כ֌ְא֎֥ישׁ אֶח֖֞ד חֲבֵך֎֜ים׃ {×€}

English:

So Israel’s entire force, united as one, massed against the town.

All of Israel's forces mass against the city of Gibeah as comrades united in a single purpose, demonstrating an unprecedented national solidarity in response to the crime.
ךש׎יRashi
חֲבֵך֎ים. שׁ֞ו֎ים בְ֌עֵ׊֞ה אַחַת:
Comrades. In unified counsel.

׀סוק י׮ב · Verse 12

Hebrew:

וַ֜י֌֎שְׁלְח֞ו֌ שׁ֎בְטֵրי י֎שְׂך֞ￜￜֵל֙ אֲנ֞שׁ֎֔ים ב֌ְכׇל֟שׁ֎בְטֵ֥י ב֮נְי־מ֖֮ן לֵאמֹ֑ך מ־֚ה ה֞ך֞ע֣֞ה הַז֌ֹ֔את אֲשֶׁ֥ך נ֎הְיְת֖֞ה ב֌֞כֶ֜ם׃

English:

And the tribes of Israel sent agents through the whole tribectribe Heb. plural. of Benjamin, saying, “What is this evil thing that has happened among you?

Before resorting to war, the tribes of Israel send messengers throughout Benjamin's clans — whose ten families are reckoned as ten tribes — demanding an explanation and offering a diplomatic path to resolve the crisis.
ךש׎יRashi
בְ֌כ֞ל ש֎ׁבְטֵי ב֮נְי־מ֮ן. עֲשׂ֞ך֞ה שְׁב֞ט֎ים נֶחְשְׁבו֌ עֲשׂ֞ך֞ה מ֎שְׁ׀ְ֌חוֹת֞יו, שֶׁי֎֌הְיו֌ מֵך֞חֵל שְׁנֵים ע֞שׂ֞ך שְׁב֞ט֎ים:
To all the tribes of Binyomin. Their ten clans were considered ten families, so that twelve tribes would emanate from Rochel.2The ten clans and the tribes of Menashe and Efraim.

׀סוק י׮ג · Verse 13

Hebrew:

וְעַת֌֞֡ה ת֌ְנו֌֩ אֶת֟ה֞אֲנ֞שׁ֎֚ים ב֌ְנֵי֟בְל֎י֌ַ֜עַל אֲשֶׁրך ב֌ַג֌֎בְע֞ה֙ ו֌נְמ֎יתֵ֔ם ו֌נְבַעֲך֥֞ה ך֞ע֖֞ה מ֎י֌֎שￜￜְך֞אֵ֑ל וְלֹրא א֞בו֌֙ [ב֌ְנֵ֣י] ב֮נְי־מ֮֔ן ל֎שְׁמֹ֕עַ ב֌ְק֖וֹל אֲחֵיהֶ֥ם ב֌ְנֵי֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֜ל׃

English:

Come, hand over those scoundrels in Gibeah so that we may put them to death and stamp out the evil from Israel.” But the Benjaminites would not yield to the demand of their fellow Israelites.

Israel demands that Benjamin hand over the criminals of Gibeah for execution to purge the evil from Israel, but Benjamin refuses to listen to their brethren — a fateful decision that triggers civil war.

׀סוק י׮ד · Verse 14

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֵא֞סְ׀֧ו֌ בְנֵ֜י֟ב֎נְי֞מ֎֛ן מ֎ן֟הֶע֞ך֎֖ים הַג֌֎בְע֑֞ת֞ה ל֞׊ֵ֥את לַמ֌֎לְח֞מ֖֞ה ע֎ם֟ב֌ְנֵ֥י י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֜ל׃

English:

So the Benjaminites gathered from their towns to Gibeah in order to take the field against the Israelites.

Rather than surrendering the guilty men, the Benjaminites rally from their cities to Gibeah, choosing tribal solidarity over justice and preparing for war against the rest of Israel.

׀סוק ט׮ו · Verse 15

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎תְ׀֌֞֜קְדו֌֩ בְנֵ֚י ב֮נְי־מ֮֜ן ב֌ַי֌րוֹם הַהו֌א֙ מֵהֶ֣ע֞ך֎֔ים עֶשְׂך֎֚ים וְשׁ֎שׁ֌֥֞ה אֶ֛לֶף א֎֖ישׁ שֹׁ֣לֵ֜ף ח֑֞ךֶב לְ֠בַ֠ד מ֎י֌ֹשְׁבֵրי הַג֌֎בְע֞ה֙ ה֎תְ׀֌֣֞קְד֔ו֌ שְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת א֎֥ישׁ ב֌֞ח֜ו֌ך׃

English:

dMeaning of parts of vv. 15 and 16 uncertain. On that day the Benjaminites mustered from the towns 26,000 fighters, mustered apart from the inhabitants of Gibeah; 700 elite troops

Benjamin musters 26,000 swordsmen from its towns plus 700 elite troops from Gibeah itself — a formidable but vastly outnumbered force against Israel's 400,000.

׀סוק ט׮ז · Verse 16

Hebrew:

מ֎כ֌ֹ֣ל ׀ ה֞ע֣֞ם הַז֌ֶ֗ה שְׁבַրע מֵאוֹת֙ א֎֣ישׁ ב֌֞ח֔ו֌ך א֎ט֌ֵ֖ך יַד֟יְמ֎ינ֑וֹ כ֌ׇל֟זֶ֗ה קֹלֵ֧עַ ב֌֞אֶ֛בֶן אֶל֟הַ֜שׂ֌ַעֲך֖֞ה וְלֹ֥א יַחֲט֎֜א׃ {×€}

English:

of these forces—700 of the best troops—were left-handed. Every one of them could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

Among Benjamin's forces are 700 left-handed elite slingers with extraordinary precision — able to hit a hair's breadth without missing — reflecting Benjamin's traditional martial prowess despite their small numbers.
ךש׎יRashi
א֎טֵ֌ך יַד יְמ֎ינוֹ. גְ֌מו֌דֵי יַד יְמ֮ינ־ם, לֹא ה֞יו֌ שׁוֹלְט֎ים ב֞֌ה֌ כְ֌א֎ל֌ו֌ ה֞יְת֞ה אֲטו֌מ֞ה, כְ֌מוֹ (תהלים סט:טז): ׎אַל תֶ֌אְטַך ע֞לַי בְ֌אֵך ׀֎֌יה֞׎: כ֞֌ל זֶה. שְׁבַע מֵאוֹת א֎ישׁ הַל֞֌לו֌: אֶל הַשַ֌ׂעֲך֞ה. לְחו֌ט הַשֵ֌ׂע֞ך: וְלֹא יַחֲט֎א. לֹא י֎שְׁגֶ֌ה:
With shriveled right arms. Their right arms were shrunken. They could not utilize them, as if they were closed, as in "Let not the well close its mouth over me."3Tehilim, 69:16. Each of them These seven hundred men. At a hair. A strand of hair. And not miss. And not err.

׀סוק י׮ז · Verse 17

Hebrew:

וְא֎֚ישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֜ל ה֎תְ׀֌֞֜קְד֗ו֌ לְבַד֙ מ֎ב֌֎נְי֞מ֎֔ן אַךְב֌ַ֚ע מֵא֥וֹת אֶ֛לֶף א֎֖ישׁ שֹׁ֣לֵ֜ף ח֑֞ךֶב כ֌ׇל֟זֶ֖ה א֎֥ישׁ מ֎לְח֞מ֞֜ה׃

English:

Those on Israel’s side—other than Benjamin—mustered 400,000 fighters, every one of them a warrior.

׀סוק י׮ח · Verse 18

Hebrew:

וַי֌֞קֻ֜מו֌ וַי֌ַעֲל֣ו֌ בֵ֜ית֟אֵל֮ וַי֌֎שְׁאֲל֣ו֌ בֵאלֹה֎ים֒ וַי֌ֹ֜אמְךו֌֙ ב֌ְנֵ֣י י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֔ל מ֚֮י יַעֲלֶה֟ל֌֣֞נו֌ בַת֌ְח֎ל֌֞֔ה לַמ֌֎לְח֞מ֖֞ה ע֎ם֟ב֌ְנֵ֣י ב֮נְי־מ֑֮ן וַי֌ֹ֥אמֶך יְהֹו֖֞ה יְהו֌ד֥֞ה בַת֌ְח֎ל֌֞֜ה׃

English:

They proceeded to Bethel and inquired of God; the Israelites asked, “Who of us shall advance first to fight the Benjaminites?” And GOD replied, “Judah first.”

Israel inquires of God at Bethel through the Urim and Thummim, but critically only asks who should lead the attack — not whether they will be victorious. God designates Judah to go first, but the incomplete question foreshadows their initial defeats.
ךש׎יRashi
יְהו֌ד֞ה בַתְ֌ח֎ל֞֌ה. אֲב֞ל לֹא ב֞חֲנו֌ ל֎שְׁאוֹל א֎ם לְנַ׊ֵ֌חַ א֎ם ל֎ינ֞֌׊ֵחַ, ו֌ב֞אַחֲךוֹנ֞ה שֶׁב֞֌חֲנו֌, א֞מַך (׀סוק כח): ׎עֲלו֌ כ֎֌י מ־ח־׹ אֶתְ֌נֶנ֌ו֌ בְי֞דֶך֞׎, ה֎שְׁכ֎֌ימו֌ וְה֎שְׁל֎ימו֌ ד֎֌בְךֵיהֶם:
Yehudah first. But they did not try to inquire whether they would be victorious or vanquished. When they ultimately tried, He replied, "Go up, for tomorrow I shall deliver them into your hand." They were consistent, and fulfilled their promise.4V.28.

׀סוק י׮ט · Verse 19

Hebrew:

וַי֌֞ק֥ו֌מו֌ בְנֵ֜י֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֖ל ב֌ַב֌ֹ֑קֶך וַ֜י֌ַחֲנ֖ו֌ עַל֟הַג֌֎בְע֞֜ה׃

English:

So the Israelites arose in the morning and encamped against Gibeah.

׀סוק כ׳ · Verse 20

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֵ׊ֵא֙ א֎֣ישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֔ל לַמ֌֎לְח֞מ֖֞ה ע֎ם֟ב֌֎נְי֞מ֎֑ן וַי֌ַעַךְכ֚ו֌ א֎ת֌֧֞ם א֎֜ישׁ֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֛ל מ֮לְח־מ־֖ה אֶל֟הַג֌֎בְע֞֜ה׃

English:

Israel’s side took the field against the Benjaminites; those on Israel’s side drew up in battle order against them at Gibeah.

׀סוק כ׮א · Verse 21

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֵ׊ְא֥ו֌ בְנֵי֟ב֎נְי֞מ֎֖ן מ֎ן֟הַג֌֎בְע֑֞ה וַי֌ַשְׁח֎֚יתו֌ בְי֎שְׂך֞אֵ֜ל ב֌ַי֌֣וֹם הַה֗ו֌א שְׁנַ֚י֎ם וְעֶשְׂך֎֥ים אֶ֛לֶף א֎֖ישׁ א֞֜ךְ׊֞ה׃

English:

But the Benjaminites issued from Gibeah, and that day they struck down 22,000 of the Israelites.

In a shocking reversal, Benjamin routs the far larger Israelite army, killing 22,000 men on the first day. The Sages explain this punishment came because Israel zealously pursued justice for a human crime but had ignored the idolatry of Micah's graven image.
ךש׎יRashi
וַיַ֌שְׁח֎יתו֌. נֶעֶנְשׁו֌ עַל שֶׁלֹ֌א ק֎נְ֌או֌ כְ֌מוֹ כֵן בְ֌מַעֲשֵׂה דְ֌מו֌ת מ֮יכ־ה שֶׁה֞י֞ה כְ֌ב֞ך:
They crushed. They were punished because they were not equally vengeful over the incident of the figure of Michah,5Chapters 17, 18. which had already taken place.6Sanhedrin, 103:b.

׀סוק כ׮ב · Verse 22

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎תְחַז֌ֵ֥ק ה֞ע֖֞ם א֎֣ישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֑ל וַי֌ֹס֎֙׀ו֌֙ לַעֲךֹ֣ךְ מ֮לְח־מ־֔ה ב֌ַמ֌֞ק֕וֹם אֲשֶׁך֟ע֥֞ךְכו֌ שׁ֖֞ם ב֌ַי֌֥וֹם ה֞ך֎אשׁ֜וֹן׃

English:

Now the army—Israel’s side—rallied and again drew up in battle order at the same place as they had on the first day.

Despite the devastating loss, Israel's army strengthens its resolve and regroups, drawing up battle lines at the same location as the first day for a second attempt.

׀סוק כ׮ג · Verse 23

Hebrew:

וַי֌ַעֲל֣ￜￜ֌ בְנֵ֜י֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֗ל וַי֌֎בְכ֌֣ו֌ ל֎׀ְנֵי֟יְהֹו֞ה֮ עַד֟ה֞עֶ֒ךֶב֒ וַי֌֎שְׁאֲלրו֌ בַ֜יהֹו֞ה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ך הַאוֹס֎֗יף ל֞גֶ֙שֶׁת֙ לַמ֌֎לְח֞מ֞֔ה ע֎ם֟ב֌ְנֵ֥י ב֮נְי־מ֖֮ן א־ח֑֮י וַי֌ֹ֥אמֶך יְהֹו֖֞ה עֲל֥ו֌ אֵל֞֜יו׃ {×€}

English:

For the Israelites had gone up and wept before GOD until evening. They had inquired of GOD, “Shall we again join battle with our kinsmen the Benjaminites?” And GOD had replied, “March against them.”

Before the second battle, the Israelites go up to Shiloh, weep before God until evening, and ask whether they should continue fighting their Benjaminite kinsmen. God replies simply: 'March against them' — still without promising victory.

׀סוק כ׮ד · Verse 24

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎קְךְב֧ו֌ בְנֵ֜י֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֛ל אֶל֟ב֌ְנֵ֥י ב֮נְי־מ֖֮ן ב֌ַי֌֥וֹם הַשׁ֌ֵנ֎֜י׃

English:

The Israelites advanced against the Benjaminites on the second day.

׀סוק כ׮ה · Verse 25

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֵ׊ֵא֩ ב֎נְי֞מ֎֚ן ׀ ל֎קְך֞את֥֞ם ׀ מ֎֜ן֟הַג֌֎בְע֞ה֮ ב֌ַי֌֣וֹם הַשׁ֌ֵנ֎י֒ וַי֌ַשְׁח֎֩יתו֌֩ ב֎בְנֵ֚י י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֜ל ע֗וֹד שְׁמֹנַ֚ת ע֞שׂ֥֞ך אֶ֛לֶף א֎֖ישׁ א־֑׹ְש־ה כ֌ׇל֟אֵ֖ל֌ֶה שֹׁ֥לְ׀ֵי ח֞֜ךֶב׃

English:

But the Benjaminites came out from Gibeah against them on the second day and struck down 18,000 more of the Israelites, all of them fighters.

The second day brings another devastating defeat: Benjamin kills 18,000 more Israelite soldiers, bringing the total losses to 40,000 — a staggering toll that drives Israel to deeper repentance.

׀סוק כ׮ו · Verse 26

Hebrew:

וַי֌ַעֲל֣ו֌ כׇל֟ב֌ְנֵי֩ י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֚ל וְכׇל֟ה֞ע֞֜ם וַי֌֞בֹ֣או֌ בֵ֜ית֟אֵ֗ל וַי֌֎בְכ֌ו֌֙ וַי֌ֵրשְׁבו֌ שׁ֞ם֙ ל֎׀ְנֵ֣י יְהֹו֞֔ה וַי֌֞׊֥ו֌מו֌ בַי֌וֹם֟הַה֖ו֌א עַד֟ה֞ע֑֞ךֶב וַ֜י֌ַעֲל֛ו֌ עֹל֥וֹת וￜￜשְׁל֞מ֎֖ים ל֎׀ְנֵ֥י יְהֹו֞֜ה׃

English:

Then all the Israelites, all the army, went up and came to Bethel and they sat there, weeping before GOD. They fasted that day until evening, and presented burnt offerings and offerings of well-being to GOD.

After two defeats, Israel's approach deepens dramatically: the entire nation goes to Bethel, sits weeping before God, fasts until evening, and offers both burnt offerings and peace offerings — seeking genuine reconciliation with God, not just military guidance.

׀סוק כ׮ז · Verse 27

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎שְׁאֲל֥ו֌ בְנֵי֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֖ל ב֌ַיהֹו֑֞ה וְשׁ֞֗ם אֲךוֹן֙ ב֌ְך֎֣ית ה֞אֱלֹה֎֔ים ב֌ַי֌֞מ֎֖ים ה֞הֵ֜ם׃

English:

The Israelites inquired of GOD (for the Ark of God’s Covenant was there in those days,

The text now mentions the Ark of the Covenant's presence, which was not noted in the earlier inquiries — suggesting that only now, in their fuller repentance, does Israel properly engage with God through the sacred vessels.

׀סוק כ׮ח · Verse 28

Hebrew:

ו֌֠׀֎֜ינְח֞֠ס ב֌ֶן֟אֶלְע֞ז֚֞ך ב֌ֶ֜ן֟אַהֲךֹ֜ן עֹמֵ֣ד ׀ לְ׀֞נ֞֗יו ב֌ַי֌֞מ֎֣ים ה֞הֵם֮ לֵאמֹך֒ הַאוֹס֎֚ף ע֜וֹד ל֞׊ֵ֧את לַמ֌֎לְח֞מ֛֞ה ע֎ם֟ב֌ְנֵ֜י֟ב֎נְי֞מ֎֥ן א־ח֖֮י א֎ם֟אֶחְד֌֑֞ל וַי֌ֹրאמֶך יְהֹו֞ה֙ עֲל֔ו֌ כ֌֎֥י מ־ח־֖׹ אֶת֌ְנֶ֥נ֌ו֌ בְי֞דֶ֜ך֞׃

English:

and Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest ministered before [God] in those days), “Shall we again take the field against our kinsmen the Benjaminites, or shall we not?” GOD answered, “Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hands.”

Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron serves as High Priest and inquires via the Urim and Thummim. This time Israel asks the complete question — whether to fight or cease — and God finally promises explicit victory: 'Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hands.'

׀סוק כ׮ט · Verse 29

Hebrew:

וַי֌֞րשֶׂם י֎שְׂך֞אֵל֙ אֹ֜ךְב֎֔ים אֶל֟הַג֌֎בְע֖֞ה ס֞ב֎֜יב׃ {×€}

English:

Israel set up ambushes against Gibeah on all sides.

׀סוק ל׳ · Verse 30

Hebrew:

וַי֌ַעֲל֧ו֌ בְנֵי֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֛ל אֶל֟ב֌ְנֵ֥י ב֮נְי־מ֖֮ן ב֌ַי֌֣וֹם הַשׁ֌ְל֎ישׁ֎֑י וַי֌ַעַךְכ֥ו֌ אֶל֟הַג֌֎בְע֖֞ה כ֌ְ׀ַ֥עַם ב֌ְ׀֞֜עַם׃

English:

And on the third day, the Israelites went up against the Benjaminites, as before, and engaged them in battle at Gibeah.

On the third day, Israel again engages Benjamin at Gibeah using the same frontal approach as before — but this time it is a deliberate feint, part of a carefully planned ambush strategy.

׀סוק ל׮א · Verse 31

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֵ׊ְאրו֌ בְנֵ֜י֟ב֎נְי֞מ֎ן֙ ל֎קְךַ֣את ה֞ע֞֔ם הׇנְת֌ְק֖ו֌ מ֎ן֟ה֞ע֎֑יך וַי֌֞חֵ֡ל֌ו֌ לְהַכ֌וֹת֩ מֵה֞ע֚֞ם חֲל֞ל֎֜ים כ֌ְ׀ַￜￜעַם ׀ ב֌ְ׀ַ֗עַם ב֌ַ֜מְס֎ל֌וֹת֙ אֲשֶׁ֚ך אַחַ֜ת עֹל֣֞ה בֵ֜ית֟אֵ֗ל וְאַחַրת ג֌֎בְע֞֙ת֞ה֙ ב֌ַשׂ֌֞דֶ֔ה כ֌֎שְׁלֹשׁ֎֥ים א֎֖ישׁ ב֌ְי֎שְׂך֞אֵ֜ל׃

English:

The Benjaminites dashed out to meet the army and were drawn away from the town onto the roads, of which one runs to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. As before, they started out by striking some of the troops dead in the open field, about 30 of the Israelites.

The Benjaminites take the bait, sallying out from Gibeah and pursuing Israel along the roads leading to Bethel and into the open field, killing about 30 Israelites and growing overconfident — exactly as Israel planned.

׀סוק ל׮ב · Verse 32

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֹ֜אמְךו֌֙ ב֌ְנֵ֣י ב֮נְי־מ֮֔ן נ֎ג֌֞׀֎֥ים הֵ֛ם לְ׀֞נֵ֖ינו֌ כ֌ְב֞ך֎֜אשֹׁנ֑֞ה ו֌בְנֵ֧י י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֣ל א֞מְך֗ו֌ נ֞נ֙ו֌ס֞ה֙ ו֌֜נְתַק֌ְנ֔ו֌הו֌ מ֎ן֟ה֞ע֎֖יך אֶל֟הַ֜מְס֎ל֌֜וֹת׃

English:

The Benjaminites thought, “They are being routed before us as previously.” But the Israelites had planned: “We will take to flight and draw them away from the town to the roads.”

Benjamin falls into the trap: they assume Israel is being routed as in the previous two battles, while in truth Israel's retreat is a calculated ruse to draw Benjamin away from the city so the hidden ambush force can seize Gibeah.

׀סוק ל׮ג · Verse 33

Hebrew:

וְכֹ֣ל ׀ א֎֣ישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֗ל ק֚֞מו֌ מ֎מ֌ְקוֹמ֔וֹ וַי֌ַעַךְכ֖ו֌ ב֌ְבַ֣עַל ת֌֞מ֑֞ך וְאֹךֵ֧ב י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֛ל מֵג֎֥יחַ מ֎מ֌ְקֹמ֖וֹ מ֎מ֌ַ֥עֲךֵה ג֞֜בַע׃

English:

And while everyone else on Israel’s side had moved away from their positions and had drawn up in battle order at Baal-tamar, the Israelite ambush was rushing out from its position at Maareh-geba.eMaareh-geba Emendation yields “west of Gibeah.”

The ambush springs into action: while the main Israelite force turns to face Benjamin at Baal-tamar, the hidden ambush force rushes out from its concealed position at Gibeah's vulnerable exposed flank to seize the undefended city.
ךש׎יRashi
בְ֌בַעַל ת֞֌מ֞ך. בְ֌מֵישַׁך יְך֎יחוֹ: מֵג֎יחַ. נ֎מְשׁ֞ךְ, כְ֌מוֹ (איוב מ:כג): ׎י֞ג֎יחַ יַךְדֵ֌ן אֶל ׀֎֌יהו֌׎; (תהלים כב:י): ׎גֹח֎י מ֎ב֞֌טֶן׎: מ֎מַ֌עֲךֵה גֶבַע. מ֎מ֞֌קוֹם ׊ַך, עֶךְו֞ת֞ה֌ וְג֎ל֌ו֌י֞ה֌ שֶׁל ג֎֌בְעַת ב֎֌נְי֞מ֎ין, מְקוֹם ת֌וֹךְ׀֞ה שֶׁל֞֌ה֌ שֶׁה֎יא נוֹח֞ה ל֎יכ֞֌בֵשׁ מ֎ש֞֌ׁם, כְ֌מוֹ (בךאשית מב:ט): ׎ל֎ךְאוֹת אֶת עֶךְוַת ה֞א֞ךֶץ ב֞֌אתֶם׎:
Baal Tamar. The plain of Yericho.7“Tamar”, lit. “date”, alludes to Yericho, “The city of dates.” Devarim, 34:3. Poured. Extended themselves, as in "He shall draw the Yardein into his mouth,"8Eyov, 40:23. "You drew me from the womb."9Tehilim, 22:10. Maareh Gev'ah. From a narrow pass, the "nakedness,"10“Maareh” is from “Ervah,” nakedness. or exposed overlook of Givas Binyomin; its uncovered part from which it was defenseless against conquest, as in, "You have come to gaze at the nakedness of the land."11Beraishis, 42:9. Yoseif accused his brothers of spying, claiming. that they were seeking Egypt’s “nakedness,” or exposed, defenseless areas.

׀סוק ל׮ד · Verse 34

Hebrew:

וַי֌֞בֹ֩או֌֩ מ֎נ֌ֶ֚גֶד לַג֌֎בְע֞֜ה עֲשֶׂ֩ךֶת֩ אֲל֞׀֎֚ים א֎րישׁ ב֌֞חו֌ך֙ מ֎כ֌ׇל֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֔ל וְהַמ֌֎לְח֞מ֖֞ה כ֌֞בֵ֑ד֞ה וְהֵם֙ לֹ֣א י֞דְע֔ו֌ כ֌֎י֟נֹגַ֥עַת עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם ה֞ך֞ע֞֜ה׃ {×€}

English:

Thus 10,000 of the best troops from all Israel came to a point south offsouth of So many Heb. mss. and Targum; most mss. and the editions read “opposite.” Gibeah, and the battle was furious. Before they realized that disaster was approaching,

Ten thousand elite Israelite troops close in on Gibeah from the south while fierce fighting rages. Benjamin still does not realize that disaster is approaching, as they have not yet seen the smoke signal and continue fighting with full confidence.

׀סוק ל׮ה · Verse 35

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎ג֌ֹ֚ף יְהֹו֥֞ה ׀ אֶ֜ת֟ב֌֎נְי֞מ֎ן֮ ל֎׀ְנֵ֣י י֎שְׂך֞אֵל֒ וַי֌ַשְׁח֎֩יתו֌֩ בְנֵ֚י י֎שְׂך֞אֵրל ב֌ְב֎נְי֞מ֎ן֙ ב֌ַי֌֣וֹם הַה֔ו֌א עֶשְׂך֎֚ים וַחֲמ֎שׁ֌֥֞ה אֶ֛לֶף ו֌מֵא֖֞ה א֎֑ישׁ כ֌ׇל֟אֵ֖ל֌ֶה שֹׁ֥לֵ֜ף֟ח֞֜ךֶב׃

English:

GOD routed the Benjaminites before Israel. That day the Israelites slew 25,100 of the Benjaminites, all of them fighters.

׀סוק ל׮ו · Verse 36

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎ךְא֥ו֌ בְנֵ֜י֟ב֎נְי֞מ֎֖ן כ֌֎֣י נ֎ג֌֑֞׀ו֌ וַי֌֎ת֌ְנ֚ו֌ א֎֜ישׁ֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵրל מ֞קוֹם֙ לְב֮נְי־מ֮֔ן כ֌֎րי ב֞֜טְחו֌֙ אֶל֟ה֣֞אֹךֵ֔ב אֲשֶׁך֟שׂ֖֞מו֌ אֶל֟הַג֌֎בְע֞֜ה׃

English:

Then the Benjaminites realized that they were routed.gThen the Benjaminites realized that they were routed This sentence is continued by v. 45. Now the rest of Israel’s side had yielded ground to the Benjaminites, for they relied on the ambush that they had laid against Gibeah.

The narrative recaps the strategy: Israel deliberately yielded ground to draw Benjamin away from Gibeah, trusting in the ambush they had positioned around the city to cut off Benjamin's retreat.
ךש׎יRashi
וַי֎֌תְ֌נו֌ א֎ישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵל. אֲשֶׁך בַ֌ש֞֌ׂדֶה, מ֞קוֹם לְב֮נְי־מ֮ן ל֎בְךֹחַ אֶל הַג֎֌בְע֞ה, כ֎֌י ס֞מְכו֌ י֎שְׂך֞אֵל עַל ה֞אוֹךֵב שֶׁיֵ֌׊ְאו֌ ל֎קְך֞את֞ם:
The Yisroelite troops gave. Those in the field gave ground to Binyomin to escape to Givoh, since the Yisroelites depended on the ambushers to advance toward them.

׀סוק ל׮ז · Verse 37

Hebrew:

וְה֞אֹךֵ֣ב הֵח֎֔ישׁו֌ וַ֜י֌֎׀ְשְׁט֖ו֌ אֶל֟הַג֌֎בְע֑֞ה וַי֌֎מְשֹׁךְ֙ ה֞אֹךֵ֔ב וַי֌ַ֥ךְ אֶת֟כ֌ׇל֟ה֞ע֎֖יך לְ׀֎י֟ח֞֜ךֶב׃

English:

One ambush quickly deployed against Gibeah, and the other ambush advanced and put the whole town to the sword.

The ambush force moves swiftly, storming into the now-undefended Gibeah. They sound the shofar as a signal and put the entire city to the sword, completing the seizure while Benjamin's army is still in the field.
ךש׎יRashi
וַי֎֌מְשֹׁךְ ה֞אוֹךֵב. מ֞שַׁךְ בַ֌ש֌ׁוֹ׀֞ך; ד֞֌ב֞ך אַחֵך: מ֞שַׁךְ בַ֌ש֌ׁוֹ׀֞ך ה֞ע֞ם אֲשֶׁך א֎ת֌וֹ, אֶל ה֞ע֎יך:
The ambushers sounded the signal. The shofar blast. Another interpretation: With the shofar, they drew the people with them to the city.

׀סוק ל׮ח · Verse 38

Hebrew:

וְהַמ֌וֹעֵ֗ד ה־י־֛ה לְא֎֥ישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֖ל ע֎ם֟ה֞אֹךֵ֑ב הֶ֕ךֶב לְהַעֲלוֹת֛֞ם מַשְׂאַ֥ת הֶע֞שׁ֖֞ן מ֎ן֟ה֞ע֎֜יך׃

English:

A time had been agreed upon by the rest of Israel’s side with those in ambush: When a huge column of smoke was sent up from the town,

The prearranged signal between the main army and the ambush force was a massive column of smoke rising from the city, indicating that the ambush had successfully captured Gibeah and that the main force should now turn and attack Benjamin.
ךש׎יRashi
וְהַמ֌וֹעֵד ה־י־ה. מ֎תְ֌ח֎ל֞֌ה ה־י־ה אוֹת בֵ֌ין י֎שְׂך֞אֵל ו֌בֵין ה֞אוֹךֵב, ל֎הְיוֹת ה֞אוֹךֵב מַךְבֶ֌ה לְהַעֲלוֹת עֲשַׁן ה֞ע֎יך, וְי֞ב֎ינו֌ י֎שְׂך֞אֵל אֲשֶׁך ל֞כַד ה֞אוֹךֵב אֶת הַג֎֌בְע֞ה: מַשְׂאַת הֶע֞שׁ֞ן. גֹ֌בַה֌ הֶע֞שׁ֞ן:
A time frame was pre-arranged At the outset, a signal was arranged between the Yisroelites and the ambushers, whereby the ambushers would raise continuous smoke from the city. The Yisroelites would thus understand that the ambushers had conquered Givoh. Clouds of smoke. High hanging smoke.

׀סוק ל׮ט · Verse 39

Hebrew:

וַי֌ַהֲ׀ֹ֥ךְ א֎֜ישׁ֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֖ל ב֌ַמ֌֎לְח֞מ֑֞ה ו֌ב֎נְי֞מ֎֡ן הֵחֵל֩ לְהַכ֌֚וֹת חֲל֞ל֎րים ב֌ְא֎֜ישׁ֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵל֙ כ֌֎שְׁלֹשׁ֎֣ים א֎֔ישׁ כ֌֎֣י א֞֜מְך֔ו֌ אַךְ֩ נ֎ￜￜ֌֚וֹף נ֎ג֌֥֞ף הו֌א֙ לְ׀֞נֵ֔ינו֌ כ֌ַמ֌֎לְח֞מ֖֞ה ה֞ך֎אשֹׁנ֞֜ה׃

English:

the rest of Israel’s side was to turn about in battle. Benjamin had begun by striking dead about 30 men on Israel’s side, and they thought, “They are being routed before us as in the previous fighting.”

The text retells the battle's turning point in detail: while Israel feigns retreat and Benjamin strikes down about 30 men thinking they have won again, the narrative explains how the 25,000 Benjaminite casualties actually occurred.
ךש׎יRashi
וַיַ֌הֲ׀ֹךְ א֎ישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵל. עַכְשׁ֞יו חוֹזֵך ל֎תְח֎לַ֌ת הַדְ֌ב֞ך֎ים וְשׁוֹנֶה ו֌מְ׀֞ךֵשׁ, עֶשְׂך֎ים וַחֲמ֎ש֞֌ׁה אֶלֶף שֶׁכ֞֌תַבְנו֌ לְמַעְל֞ה (׀סוק לה), כֵ֌י׊ַד נ֞׀ְלו֌ וְהֵיכ֞ן נ֞׀ְלו֌:
The Yisroelite troops retreated. Scripture now returns to the beginning of the narrative, reviewing and explaining how the twenty five thousand mentioned above12V.35. fell, and where they fell.

׀סוק מ׳ · Verse 40

Hebrew:

וְהַמ֌ַשְׂאֵ֗ת הֵחֵ֛ל֌֞ה לַעֲל֥וֹת מ֎ן֟ה֞ע֎֖יך עַמ֌֣ו֌ד ע֞שׁ֑֞ן וַי֌֎ր׀ֶן ב֌֎נְי֞מ֎ן֙ אַחֲך֞֔יו וְה֎נ֌ֵ֛ה ע֞ל֥֞ה כְל֎יל֟ה֞ע֎֖יך הַשׁ֌֞מ֞֜יְמ֞ה׃

English:

But when the column, the pillar of smoke, began to rise from the city, the Benjaminites looked behind them, and there was the whole town going up in smoke to the sky!

The smoke signal rises from the burning city, and when the Benjaminites finally look behind them, they see their entire city engulfed in flames rising to the sky — the moment they realize the trap has closed around them.

׀סוק מ׮א · Verse 41

Hebrew:

וְא֎րישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵל֙ ה֞׀ַ֔ךְ וַי֌֎ב֌֞הֵ֖ל א֎֣ישׁ ב֌֎נְי֞מ֎֑ן כ֌֎֣י ׹־א־֔ה כ֌֎֜י֟נ֞גְע֥֞ה ע֞ל֖֞יו ה֞ך֞ע֞֜ה׃

English:

And now Israel’s side turned about, and Benjamin’s side was thrown into panic, for they realized that disaster had overtaken them.

Israel's main force wheels around to attack, and Benjamin is seized by panic as they see both the burning city behind them and the Israelite army now advancing upon them — realizing the earlier retreats were a ruse and total disaster has overtaken them.

׀סוק מ׮ב · Verse 42

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎׀ְנ֞ו֌ ל֎׀ְנֵ֚י א֎րישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵל֙ אֶל֟ד֌ֶ֣ךֶךְ הַמ֌֎דְב֌֞֔ך וְהַמ֌֎לְח֞מ֖֞ה ה֎דְב֌֎יק֑֞תְהו֌ וַ֜אֲשֶׁך֙ מֵהֶ֣ע֞ך֎֔ים מַשְׁח֎ית֎֥ים אוֹת֖וֹ ב֌ְתוֹכ֜וֹ׃

English:

They retreated before Israel’s force along the road to the wilderness, where the fighting caught up with them; meanwhile those from the townshfrom the towns Meaning of Heb. uncertain; emendation yields “in the town” (i.e., Gibeah). were massacring them in it.

The fleeing Benjaminites retreat toward the wilderness but are caught in a pincer: the main Israelite army pursues them from behind while the ambush force emerging from the captured cities cuts them down from within — trapped between two fronts.
ךש׎יRashi
וַאֲשֶׁך מֵהֶע֞ך֎ים. ה֞אוֹךֵב שֶׁנ֎֌כְנַס ב֞֌ע֎יך, מַשְׁח֎ית֎ים אוֹתוֹ בְ֌תוֹךְ הַשֵ֌ׁבֶט, בְ֌תוֹךְ ה֞ע֎יך:
While those in the city. The ambushers who had penetrated the city demolished the tribe from within the city.

׀סוק מ׮ג · Verse 43

Hebrew:

כ֌֎ת֌ְךրו֌ אֶת֟ב֌֎נְי֞מ֎ן֙ ה֎ךְד֎י׀ֻ֔הו֌ מְנו֌ח֖֞ה ה֎דְך֎יכֻ֑הו֌ עַ֛ד נֹ֥כַח הַג֌֎בְע֖֞ה מ֎מ֌֎זְךַח֟שׁ֞֜מֶשׁ׃

English:

iMeaning of verse uncertain. They encircled the Benjaminites, pursued them, and trod them down [from] Menuhah to a point opposite Gibeah on the east.

The Israelites encircle Benjamin like a crown around a head, relentlessly pursuing and trampling them from their places of rest all the way to the area east of Gibeah, leaving no escape route.
ךש׎יRashi
כ֎֌תְ֌ךו֌ אֶת ב֎֌נְי֞מ֎ן. ה֎ק֎֌י׀ו֌ אֶת ב֎֌נְי֞מ֎ן כְ֌כֶתֶך הַמַ֌ק֎֌יף אֶת ה֞ךֹאשׁ, וְכֵן (תהלים כב:יג): ׎אַב֎֌יךֵי ב֞שׁ֞ן כ֎֌תְ֌ךו֌נ֎י׎, וְכֵן (חבקוק א:ד): ׎כ֎֌י ך֞שׁ֞ע מַכְת֎֌יך אֶת הַ׊ַ֌ד֎֌יק׎, וְכֵן גַ֌ם ב֎֌לְשׁוֹן עֲט֞ך֞ה נ֎קְךֵאת הַק֞֌׀֞ה (שמואל א כג:כו): ׎וְשׁ֞או֌ל וַאֲנ֞שׁ֞יו עֹטְך֎ים אֶל ד֞֌ו֎ד וְאֶל אֲנ֞שׁ֞יו לְת֞׀ְשׂ֞ם׎: ה֎ךְד֎י׀ֻהו֌. קוֹךְא֎ים אַחֲך֞יו ךְד֎י׀֞ה, ׊וֹעֲק֎ים זֶה ל֞זֶה ל֎ךְדֹ֌ף: מְנו֌ח֞ה ה֎דְך֎יכֻהו֌. אֵ׊ֶל הֶע֞ך֎ים שֶׁהֵם נוֹח֎ים ב֞֌הֶם, שׁ֞ם ה֎דְב֎֌יקו֌הו֌: ה֎דְך֎יכֻהו֌. ה֎ש֎֌ׂיגו֌הו֌, וְיֵשׁ דֻ֌גְמ֞תוֹ ב֎֌לְשׁוֹן גְ֌מ֞ך֞א (כתובות ס ב): ךְהַט בַ֌תְךֵיה֌ ׀ַ֌ךְס֞א בְ֌ח֞ל֞א וְלֹא אַדְךְכֵיה֌: עַד נֹכַח הַג֎֌בְע֞ה. מ֎מ֎֌זְך֞ח֞ה֌ שֶׁל ג֎֌בְע֞ה:
They [lit. crowned] Binyomin. They encircled Binyomin the way a crown encircles the head. Similarly, "The mighty of Bashan encircled me,"13Tehilim, 22:13. and, "For the villain encircles the saint."14Chabakuk, 1:4. Also, the word "wreath" connotes encirclement, as in, "Shaul and his troops encircled [lit. wreathed] David and his troops in order to seize them"15Shmuel 1, 23:26. Called for their pursuit. They called for pursuit behind them—they shouted to each other to pursue. And intercepted them at rest. At the cities, where they generally rested, they intercepted them. Intercepted them. Caught them. There is a similar term in the Talmud, "He pursued him a parsa in the sand, but did not catch him."16Kesubos, 60:b. Up to the area facing Givoh. East of Givoh.

׀סוק מ׮ד · Verse 44

Hebrew:

וַ֜י֌֎׀֌ְלו֌֙ מ֎ב֌֎נְי֞מ֎֔ן שְׁמֹנ֞֜ה֟ע֞שׂ֥֞ך אֶ֖לֶף א֎֑ישׁ אֶת֟כ֌ׇל֟אֵ֖ל֌ֶה אַנְשֵׁי֟ח֞֜י֎ל׃

English:

That day 18,000 of the Benjaminites fell, all of them brave men.

The first count of Benjamin's losses: 18,000 warriors fall in the open field during the main battle — all of them valiant men, underscoring the scale of the catastrophe.
ךש׎יRashi
וַי֎֌׀ְ֌לו֌ מ֎ב֎֌נְי֞מ֎ן שְׁמוֹנ֞ה ע֞שׂ֞ך אֶלֶף. בַ֌ש֞֌ׂדֶה בְ֌תוֹךְ הַמ֎֌לְח֞מ֞ה:
There fell, from Binyomin, eighteen thousand troops In the field, in the thick of battle.

׀סוק מ׮ה · Verse 45

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎׀ְנ֞ו֌ וַי֌֞נֻրסו֌ הַמ֌֎דְבￜￜ֞֙ך֞ה֙ אֶל֟סֶ֣לַע ה֞ך֎מ֌֔וֹן וַיְעֹלְלֻ֙הו֌֙ ב֌ַ֜מְס֎ל֌֔וֹת חֲמֵ֥שֶׁת אֲל֞׀֎֖ים א֎֑ישׁ וַי֌ַדְב֌֎րיקו֌ אַ֜חֲך֞יו֙ עַד֟ג֌֎דְעֹ֔ם וַי֌ַכ֌֥ו֌ מ֎מ֌ֶ֖נ֌ו֌ אַלְ׀֌ַ֥י֎ם א֎֜ישׁ׃

English:

They turned and fled to the wilderness, to the Rock of Rimmon; but [the Israelites] picked off another 5,000 on the roads and, continuing in hot pursuit of them up to Gidom, they slew 2,000 more.

The survivors flee toward the Rock of Rimmon in the wilderness, but Israel picks off 5,000 more along the roads and pursues them to Gidom where another 2,000 fall — bringing the total to approximately 25,000 Benjaminite dead.
ךש׎יRashi
וַיְעֹלְלֻהו֌. הֲך֎יג֞ה אַחַך הֲך֎יג֞ה, כְ֌עוֹלְלוֹת שֶׁאַחַך הַב֞֌׊֎יך: חֲמֵשֶׁת אֲל֞׀֎ים א֎ישׁ. הֲךֵי עֶשְׂך֎ים ו֌שְׁלֹשׁ֞ה אֶלֶף: עַד ג֎֌דְעֹם. שֵׁם מ֞קוֹם: וַיַ֌כ֌ו֌ מ֎מֶ֌נ֌ו֌ אַלְ׀ַ֌י֎ם א֎ישׁ. הֲךֵי עֶשְׂך֎ים וַחֲמ֎ש֞֌ׁה אֶלֶף ה֞א֞מו֌ך לְמַעְל֞ה (׀סוק לה), וְהַמֵ֌א֞ה הַכְ֌תו֌ב֎ים לְמַעְל֞ה (שם), לֹא ׀ֵ֌ךַשׁ הֵיכ֞ן נ֞׀ְלו֌:
They gleaned them. Killing constantly, like plucking gleanings after reaping. Five thousand troops. Thus totaling twenty three thousand. Until Gid'om. The name of a place. Striking down, of them, two thousand troops. Thus totaling twenty-five thousand mentioned above.17V.35. The remaining one hundred recorded above18Ibid. fell at unnamed locations.

׀סוק מ׮ו · Verse 46

Hebrew:

וַיְה֎י֩ כׇל֟הַנ֌ֹ֚׀ְל֎֜ים מ֎ב֌֎נְי֞מ֎֗ן עֶשְׂך֎ים֩ וַחֲמ֎שׁ֌֚֞ה אֶ֥לֶף א֎֛ישׁ שֹׁ֥לֵ֜ף חֶ֖ךֶב ב֌ַי֌֣וֹם הַה֑ו֌א אֶת֟כ֌ׇל֟אֵ֖ל֌ֶה אַנְשֵׁי֟ח֞֜י֎ל׃

English:

Thus the Benjaminite fighters who fell that day numbered 25,000, all of them brave men.

The total Benjaminite dead on the third day is summarized as 25,000 swordsmen (the additional 100 mentioned earlier being rounded off). An additional 1,000 are understood to have fallen in the first two battles, accounting for the full muster.

׀סוק מ׮ז · Verse 47

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎׀ְנ֞ו֌ וַי֌֞נֻրסו֌ הַמ֌֎דְב֌֞֙ך֞ה֙ אֶל֟סֶ֣לַע ה֞ך֎מ֌֔וֹן שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת א֎֑ישׁ וַי֌ֵ֜שְׁבו֌֙ ב֌ְסֶ֣לַע ך֎מ֌֔וֹן אַךְב֌֞ע֖֞ה חֳד֞שׁ֎֜ים׃

English:

But 600 others turned and fled to the wilderness, to the Rock of Rimmon; they remained at the Rock of Rimmon four months.

Only 600 Benjaminite men escape the slaughter by fleeing to the Rock of Rimmon in the wilderness, where they take refuge for four months — these are the sole survivors of the entire tribe, with no women among them since only warriors fled the battlefield.

׀סוק מ׮ח · Verse 48

Hebrew:

וְא֎֚ישׁ י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֜ל שׁ֣֞בו֌ אֶל֟ב֌ְנֵրי ב֮נְי־מ֮ן֙ וַי֌ַכ֌֣ו֌ם לְ׀֎י֟חֶ֔ךֶב מֵע֎րיך מְתֹם֙ עַד֟ב֌ְהֵמ֞֔ה עַ֖ד כ֌ׇל֟הַנ֌֎מְ׊֑֞א ג֌ַ֛ם כ֌ׇל֟הֶע֞ך֎֥ים הַנ֌֎מְ׊֞א֖וֹת שׁ֎ל֌ְח֥ו֌ ב֞אֵ֜שׁ׃ {×€}

English:

Those on Israel’s side, meanwhile, turned back to the rest of the Benjaminites and put them to the sword—towns, people, cattle—everything that remained. Finally, they set fire to all the towns that were left.

Israel turns back to Benjamin's remaining cities and carries out total destruction — killing every person and animal they find and burning all the towns. The 1,000 unaccounted-for Benjaminites likely perished in this urban sweep, having fled back to their cities from the earlier battles.
ךש׎יRashi
שׁ֞בו֌ אֶל בְ֌נֵי ב֮נְי־מ֮ן. בְ֌כ֞ל הֶע֞ך֎ים: מֵע֎יך מְתֹם. הֵתַמ֌ו֌ כ֞֌ל יוֹשְׁבֵי הֶע֞ך֎ים: וְעַד בְ֌הֵמ֞ה. וַאֲנ֞ש֎ׁים ב֎֌כְלַל ׳מְתוֹם׳ ה֞יו֌, שֶׁ׳מְ֌תוֹם׳ לְשׁוֹן כְ֌ל֞י֞ה הו֌א וְיֵשׁ ל֎תְמֹהַ֌ עַל אֶלֶף הֵיכ֞ן הֵם, שֶׁהֲךֵי עֶשְׂך֎ים וְש֎ׁש֞֌ׁה אֶלֶף ה֎תְ׀ַ֌קְ֌דו֌ מ֮ן הֶע֞ך֎ים, ו֌מ֎ן הַג֎֌בְע֞ה שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת, וְכ־אן מ־נ־ה בַ֌נ֌וֹ׀ְל֎ים עֶשְׂך֎ים וַחֲמ֎ש֞֌ׁה אֶלֶף ו֌מֵא֞ה א֎ישׁ, וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת נ֎מְלְטו֌ אֶל סֶלַע ה֞ך֎מ֌וֹן, וְה֞אֶלֶף ב֞֌ךְחו֌ אֶל הֶע֞ך֎ים וְנ֞׀ְלו֌ לְמ֞חֳך֞ת כְ֌שֶׁש֞֌ׁבו֌ בְ֌נֵי י֎שְׂך֞אֵל אֶל ע֞ךֵי ב֮נְי־מ֮ן לְהַחֲך֎ים הַנ֞֌ש֎ׁים וְהַטַ֌ף:
Turned to the sons of Binyomin in all the cities. Completely annihilating the cities. They annihilated all the inhabitants of the cities, Including the cattle—the people are included in "completely annihilating," since מ֌ְתֹם denotes absolute annihilation. There is a problem with the location of one thousand, as twenty-six thousand were counted in the cities, and seven hundred at Givoh;19V.15. here, those who fell totaled twenty-five thousand, one hundred troops,20V. 46. and six hundred escaped to Rimon cliff.21V. 47. This totals 25,700, whereas the total in v. 15 was 26,700. Evidently, one thousand fled to the cities, and fell the following day when the Bnei Yisroel turned to the cities of Binyomin to annihilate the women and children.

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