Old Testament

Judges 20:31

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, the Benjaminites engage in battle against the Israelites, luring them away from their city.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Written: Around 1050-1000 BC
Genre: Historical narrative
Original Audience: The Israelites living under the judges

CBTClear Bible Translation

The Benjaminites rushed out to meet them and were drawn away from the city. They began striking down Israelites as before — killing about 30 men along the roads, one leading to the house of God and the other to Gibeah through the open country.

KJVKing James Version

And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, the Benjaminites engage in battle against the Israelites, luring them away from their city. This tactic is reminiscent of previous encounters where the Benjaminites had successfully ambushed the Israelites. As the fighting unfolds, about thirty Israelite men are killed on the roads leading to significant locations, including the house of God and Gibeah. This moment highlights the ongoing conflict and the strategic maneuvers employed by the Benjaminites, showcasing their fierce resistance and the tragic consequences of civil strife among the tribes of Israel. The mention of the roads leading to the house of God emphasizes the spiritual dimension of the conflict, as it occurs near a sacred site, suggesting that the battle is not just physical but also has implications for the faith and unity of the Israelite people.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 20:31 to your life

This verse reminds us of the dangers of internal conflict and division within communities. It encourages us to seek unity and resolve disputes peacefully, recognizing that strife can lead to significant loss and suffering. We should strive to build bridges rather than walls among ourselves.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Judges 20:31 mean?

Judges 20:31 describes a battle where the Benjaminites lure the Israelites away from their city and kill about thirty men. This verse illustrates the ongoing conflict between the tribes of Israel and highlights the strategic tactics used in their civil war.

What is the significance of the roads mentioned in Judges 20:31?

The roads mentioned in Judges 20:31 lead to important locations, including the house of God and Gibeah. Their mention emphasizes the spiritual context of the conflict, suggesting that the battle has implications for the faith and unity of the Israelite people.

How does Judges 20:31 relate to the theme of conflict?

Judges 20:31 exemplifies the theme of conflict by showcasing the violent encounters between the Benjaminites and the Israelites. It highlights the destructive nature of civil strife and the loss of life that results from such divisions.

What lessons can we learn from Judges 20:31?

Judges 20:31 teaches about the dangers of internal conflict and the importance of unity within communities. It serves as a reminder that disputes can lead to significant loss and suffering, urging us to seek peaceful resolutions.

Book Summary

The Book of Judges

Judges 1–2: Incomplete Conquest and the Cycle of Sin

After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel inquire of the Lord who should first go up to fight the remaining Canaanites. Judah is chosen and, with the help of the tribe of Simeon, achieves several victories, but fails to drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain because they have iron chariots. The book then details the failures of the other tribes—Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali—to completely dispossess the Canaanites from their allotted territories. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites put them to forced labor, allowing pagan influences to remain in the land. An angel of the Lord appears at Bochim and rebukes the people for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the inhabitants of the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices, but the pattern of disobedience is set.

A new generation arises that does not know the Lord or the works He has done for Israel. This generation forsakes the God of their fathers, turning to worship the Baals and Ashtaroth of the surrounding peoples. This apostasy provokes the Lord's anger, and He hands them over to their enemies, who oppress them. When the Israelites cry out to the Lord in their misery, He raises up judges—deliverers who save them from their oppressors. However, as soon as a judge dies, the people relapse into even greater corruption, returning to their idolatrous ways. This establishes the book's central, recurring cycle: sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, followed by a period of rest, and then a return to sin. Judges 3: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar The first cycle of judgment begins as the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord and worship idols. God's anger burns against them, and He sells them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom they serve for eight years. When the people cry out to the Lord, He raises up Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb, as their deliverer. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he leads Israel to victory, defeating the Mesopotamian king. The land has peace for forty years until Othniel's death. After Othniel dies, the Israelites again do evil, and God strengthens Eglon, the king of Moab, against them. Eglon, allied with the Ammonites and Amalekites, defeats Israel and captures the city of palms, Jericho. The Israelites are subject to Moab for eighteen years. When they cry out for help, God raises up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. While delivering Israel's tribute, Ehud uses his left-handedness to his advantage, concealing a dagger on his right thigh. In a private audience with the obese King Eglon, he claims to have a secret message from God and stabs the king in the belly. Ehud escapes, rallies the Israelite forces, and leads them to a decisive victory over the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of their soldiers. The land enjoys peace for eighty years. After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath is mentioned, who strikes down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, also saving Israel.

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