Judges 20:38 Meaning and Explanation
“Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel and the ambush had agreed on a signal: a great column of smoke rising from the captured city.
What Does Judges 20:38 Mean?
The narrator explains the coordination behind the victory. Israel and the ambush had agreed on a sign: once Gibeah was taken, the hidden force would send up a great column of smoke. This signal would tell the main army that the city had fallen and that the moment had come to turn and crush the now-trapped Benjamites between the two forces.
The 'appointed sign' reveals careful planning and unity of purpose between the two parts of Israel's army. The whole maneuver depended on trust and clear communication, each part acting in concert with the other at the agreed moment. Behind the unfolding deliverance lies not chaos but order. The verse offers a small picture of how God's purposes are often worked out through the faithful, coordinated action of his people, each doing their part in harmony so that the whole comes to pass as intended.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 20:38
What does Judges 20:38 mean?
Israel and the ambush had agreed on a signal: a great column of smoke rising from the captured city.