Judges 20:39 Meaning and Explanation
“And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As Israel feigns retreat, Benjamin strikes down about thirty men, certain of victory as in the earlier battles.
What Does Judges 20:39 Mean?
The narrator circles back to show the trap from Benjamin's view. As Israel pulls back in feigned retreat, Benjamin presses forward, killing about thirty men and declaring, 'Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.' Their confidence peaks at the very moment their doom is sealed. They mistake the planned withdrawal for a third easy victory.
Benjamin's words drip with a fatal irony. At the height of their assurance, the smoke is about to rise behind them and reveal the truth. Their reading of the battle could not be more wrong. The verse vividly portrays the danger of presumption: those most certain of triumph in a wrong cause are often nearest to ruin. Pride, fed by past success, blinds them to the reversal already underway. Confidence apart from God is no foundation; it crumbles in the very moment it feels surest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 20:39
What does Judges 20:39 mean?
As Israel feigns retreat, Benjamin strikes down about thirty men, certain of victory as in the earlier battles.