War Against Benjamin
Judges 20
The assembled tribes of Israel demand that Benjamin hand over the guilty men of Gibeah, and when Benjamin refuses, war breaks out in which Israel suffers heavy losses in the first two battles before an ambush finally overwhelms Gibeah and destroys the Benjamite forces. Only six hundred Benjamite men escape to the rock of Rimmon, and the cities of Benjamin are put to the sword and burned.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonSO all the children of Israel set out, and the congregation assembled as one man from Dan to Bersabee, and from the land of Galaad, before the Lord at Massepha.
BrentonAnd all the children of Israel went out, and all the congregation was gathered as one man, from Dan even to Bersabee, and in the land of Galaad, to the Lord at Massepha.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθον πάντες οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐξεκκλησιάσθη ἡ συναγωγὴ ὡς ἀνὴρ εἷς ἀπὸ Δὰν καὶ ἕως Βηρσαβεὲ, καὶ γῇ τοῦ Γαλαὰδ, πρὸς Κύριον εἰς Μασσηφά.
KJVThen all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.
JPSThen all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was assembled as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD at Mizpah.
2
ThomsonAnd when all the tribes of Israel were drawn up before the Lord in the congregation of the people of God, there were four hundred thousand footmen who drew the sword.
BrentonAnd all the tribes of Israel stood before the Lord in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.
GreekΚαὶ ἐστάθησαν κατὰ πρόσωπον Κυρίου πᾶσαι αἱ φυλαὶ τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, τετρακόσιαι χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν πεζῶν ἕλκοντες ῥομφαίαν.
KJVAnd the chief of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.
JPSAnd the chiefs of all the people, even of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand footmen that drew sword.—
3
ThomsonNow the children of Benjamin heard that the Israelites were gone up to Massepha. Then the children of Israel who had come together said, Speak! Where was this wickedness done?
BrentonAnd the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Massepha: and the children of Israel came and said, Tell us, where did this wickedness take place?
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ υἱοὶ Βενιαμεὶν, ὅτι ἀνέβησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ εἰς Μασσηφά· Καὶ ἐλθόντες εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, λαλήσατε, ποῦ ἐγένετο ἡ πονηρία αὕτη;
KJV(Now the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpeh.) Then said the children of Israel, Tell us, how was this wickedness?
JPSNow the children of Benjamin heard that the children of Israel were gone up to Mizpah.—And the children of Israel said: ‘Tell us, how was this wickedness brought to pass?’
4
ThomsonWhereupon the man, the Levite, the husband of the woman who was slain, answered and said, I came to Gabaa of Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.
BrentonAnd the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I and my concubine went to Gabaa of Benjamin to lodge.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπεκριθη ὁ ἀνὴρ ὁ Λευίτης, ὁ ἀνὴρ τῆς γυναικὸς τῆς φονευθείσης, καὶ εἶπεν, εἰς Γαβαὰ τῆς Βενιαμὶν ἦλθον ἐγὼ καὶ ἡ παλλακή μου τοῦ αὐλισθῆναι,
KJVAnd the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.
JPSAnd the Levite, the husband of the woman that was murdered, answered and said: ‘I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge.
5
ThomsonAnd the men of Gabaa rose upon me, and beset me and the house by night. Me they would have killed, and my concubine they forced so that she died.
BrentonAnd the men of Gabaa rose up against me, and compassed the house by night against me; they wished to slay me, and they have humbled my concubine, and she is dead.
Greekκαὶ ἀνέστησαν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς Γαβαὰ, καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἐπὶ τὴν οἰκίαν νυκτός· ἐμὲ ἠθέλησαν φονεῦσαι, καὶ τὴν παλλακήν μου ἐταπείνωσαν, καὶ ἀπέθανε.
KJVAnd the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead.
JPSAnd the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night; me they thought to have slain, and my concubine they forced, and she is dead.
6
ThomsonUpon which I took my concubine, and divided her in pieces and sent them through all the borders of the inheritance of the children of Israel. Since they have occasioned a ferment and destruction in Israel,
BrentonAnd I laid hold of my concubine, and divided her in pieces, and sent the parts into every coast of the inheritance of the children of Israel; for they have wrought lewdness and abomination in Israel.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκράτησα τὴν παλλακήν μου, καὶ ἐμέλισα αὐτὴν, καὶ ἐξαπέστειλα ἐν παντὶ ὁρίῳ κληρονομίας υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ· ὅτι ἐποίησαν ζέμα καὶ ἀπόπτωμα ἐν Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAnd I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel.
JPSAnd I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel; for they have committed lewdness and wantonness in Israel
7
Thomsonbehold you are all Israelites; Advise and consult here for yourselves.
BrentonBehold, all ye are children of Israel; and consider and take counsel here among yourselves.
GreekἸδοὺ πάντες ὑμεῖς υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, δότε ἑαυτοῖς λόγον καὶ βουλὴν ἐκεῖ.
KJVBehold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.
JPSBehold, ye are all here, children of Israel, give here your advice and council.’
8
ThomsonThen all the people arose as one man, and said, We will not, any of us go to his habitation, nor shall any of us return to his house;
BrentonAnd all the people rose up as one man, saying, No one of us shall return to his tent, and no one of us shall return to his house.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὡς ἀνὴρ εἷς, λέγοντες, οὐκ ἀπελευσόμεθα ἀνὴρ εἰς σκήνωμα αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐπιστρέψομεν ἀνὴρ εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd all the people arose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house.
JPSAnd all the people arose as one man, saying: ‘We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn unto his house.
9
Thomsonand this is what shall be done to Gabaa; we will go up against it by lot.
BrentonAnd now this is the thing which shall be done in Gabaa; we will go up against it by lot.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα, ὃ ποιηθήσεται τῇ Γαβαᾷ· ἀναβησόμεθα ἐπʼ αὐτὴν ἐν κλήρῳ.
KJVBut now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it;
JPSBut now this is the thing which we will do to Gibeah: we will go up against it by lot;
10
ThomsonBut let us take ten men for the hundreds through all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred for the thousands and a thousand for the ten thousands to collect provisions, and bring them to Gabaa of Benjamin, that we may do to it according to the abominable act which it hath committed in Israel.
BrentonMoreover we will take ten men for a hundred for all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred for a thousand, and a thousand for ten thousand, to take provision, to cause them to come to Gabaa of Benjamin, to do to it according to all the abomination, which they wrought in Israel.
GreekΠλὴν ληψόμεθα δέκα ἄνδρας τοῖς ἑκατὸν εἰς πάσας φυλὰς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἑκατὸν τοῖς χιλίοις, καὶ χιλίους τοῖς μυρίοις, λαβεῖν ἐπισιτισμὸν τοῦ ποιῆσαι ἐλθεῖν αὐτοὺς εἰς Γαβαὰ Βενιαμὶν, ποιῆσαι αὐτῇ κατὰ πᾶν τὸ ἀπόπτωμα, ὃ ἐποίησεν ἐν Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAnd we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.
JPSand we will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victuals for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the wantonness that they have wrought in Israel.’
11
ThomsonAnd when all Israel was united against that city, as one man,
BrentonAnd all the men of Israel were gathered to the city as one man.
GreekΚαὶ συνήχθη πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὴν πόλιν ὡς ἀνὴρ εἷς.
KJVSo all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.
JPSSo all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.
12
Thomsonthe tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this which is done among you?
BrentonAnd the tribes of Israel sent men through the whole tribe of Benjamin, saying, What is this wickedness that has been wrought among you?
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλαν αἱ φυλαὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἄνδρας ἐν πάσῃ φυλῇ Βενιαμεὶν, λέγοντες, τίς ἡ πονηρία αὕτη ἡ γενομένη ἐν ὑμῖν;
KJVAnd the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?
JPSAnd the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying: ‘What wickedness is this that is come to pass among you?
13
ThomsonNow therefore deliver up those men, those sons of transgressors in Gabaa, that we may put them to death, and purge away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to their brethren the children of Israel.
BrentonNow then give up the men the sons of transgressors that are in Gabaa, and we will put them to death, and purge out wickedness from Israel: but the children of Benjamin consented not to hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν δότε τοὺς ἄνδρας υἱοὺς παρανόμων τοὺς ἐν Γαβαὰ, καὶ θανατώσομεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐκκαθαριοῦμεν πονηρίαν ἀπὸ Ἰσραήλ· καὶ οὐκ εὐδόκησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Βενιαμὶν ἀκοῦσαι τῆς φωνῆς τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.
KJVNow therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel:
JPSNow therefore deliver up the men, the base fellows that are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel.’ But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel.
14
ThomsonNay the children of Benjamin assembled from their cities to Gabaa, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
BrentonAnd the children of Benjamin were gathered from their cities to Gabaa, to go forth to fight with the children of Israel.
GreekΚαὶ συνήχθησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Βενιαμὶν ἀπὸ τῶν πόλεων αὐτῶν εἰς Γαβαὰ ἐξελθεῖν εἰς παράταξιν πρὸς υἱοὺς Ἰσραήλ.
KJVBut the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
JPSAnd the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of their cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.
15
ThomsonAnd the children of Benjamin, who came from their cities, were at that time reviewed, twenty-three thousand men who drew the sword, exclusive of the inhabitants of Gabaa, who were also reviewed.
BrentonAnd the children of Benjamin from their cities were numbered in that day, twenty-three thousand, every man drawing a sword, besides the inhabitants of Gabaa, who were numbered seven hundred chosen men of all the people, able to use both hands alike;
GreekΚαὶ ἐπεσκέπησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Βενιαμὶν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἀπὸ τῶν πόλεων εἰκοσιτρεῖς χιλιάδες ἀνὴρ ἕλκων ῥομφαίαν, ἐκτὸς τῶν οἰκούντων τὴν Γαβαά, οἱ ἐπεσκέπησαν ἑπτακόσιοι ἄνδρες
KJVAnd the children of Benjamin were numbered at that time out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, beside the inhabitants of Gibeah, which were numbered seven hundred chosen men.
JPSAnd the children of Benjamin numbered on that day out of the cities twenty and six thousand men that drew sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who numbered seven hundred chosen men.
16
ThomsonOut of all the people seven hundred were selected, who used both hands alike. All these were men who could sling stones to a hair breadth, and not miss.
Brentonall these could sling with stones at a hair, and not miss.
Greekἐκλεκτοὶ ἐκ παντὸς λαοῦ ἀμφοτεροδέξιοι· πάντες οὗτοι σφενδονῆται ἐν λίθοις πρὸς τρίχα, καὶ οὐκ ἐξαμαρτάνοντες.
KJVAmong all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.
JPSAll this people, even seven hundred chosen men, were left-handed; every one could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not miss.
17
ThomsonNow the men of Israel had been reviewed, exclusive of Benjamin, four hundred thousand men, who drew the sword. All these were men of array.
BrentonAnd the men of Israel, exclusive of Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword; all these were men of war.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ ἐπεσκέπησαν ἐκτὸς τοῦ Βενιαμὶν τετρακόσιαι χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν ἑλκόντων ῥομφαίαν· πάντες οὗτοι ἄνδρες παρατάξεως.
KJVAnd the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, were numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword: all these were men of war.
JPSAnd the men of Israel, beside Benjamin, numbered four hundred thousand men that drew sword; all these were men of war.
18
ThomsonAnd they arose, and went up to Baithel, and inquired of God. And the children of Israel said, Who shall go up as our commander-in-chief to battle against the children of Benjamin? And the Lord said Juda shall go up as commander-in-chief.
BrentonAnd they arose and went up to Bæthel, and enquired of God: and the children of Israel said, Who shall go up for us first to fight with the children of Benjamin? And the Lord said, Juda shall go up first as leader.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστησαν καὶ ἀνέβησαν εἰς Βαιθὴλ, καὶ ἠρώτησαν ἐν τῷ Θεῷ· καὶ εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, τίς ἀναβήσεται ἡμῖν ἐν ἀρχῇ εἰς παράταξιν πρὸς υἱοὺς Βενιαμίν; καὶ εἶπε Κύριος, Ἰούδας ἐν ἀρχῇ ἀναβήσεται ἀφηγούμενος.
KJVAnd the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
JPSAnd the children of Israel arose, and went up to Beth-el, and asked counsel of God; and they said: ‘Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin?’ And the LORD said: ‘Judah first.’
19
ThomsonAnd all the children of Israel arose in the morning, and encamped against Gabaa;
BrentonAnd the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gabaa.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ τοπρωῒ, καὶ παρενέβαλον ἐπὶ Γαβαά.
KJVAnd the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.
JPSAnd the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah.
20
Thomsonand all Israel went out to battle against Benjamin, and drew up for them before Gabaa.
BrentonAnd they went out, all the men of Israel, to fight with Benjamin, and engaged with them at Gabaa.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθον πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ εἰς παράταξιν πρὸς Βενιαμὶν, καὶ συνῆψαν αὐτοῖς ἐπὶ Γαβαά.
KJVAnd the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah.
JPSAnd the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel set the battle in array against them at Gibeah.
21
ThomsonAnd the children of Benjamin sallied from Gabaa, and destroyed of Israel that day on the field of battle twenty-two thousand men.
BrentonAnd the sons of Benjamin went forth from Gabaa, and they destroyed in Israel on that day two and twenty thousand men down to the ground.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθον οἱ υἱοὶ Βενιαμὶν ἀπὸ τῆς Γαβαὰ, καὶ διέφθειραν ἐν Ἰσραὴλ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ δύο καὶ εἴκοσι χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν.
KJVAnd the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.
JPSAnd the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites on that day twenty and two thousand men.
22
ThomsonBut the men of Israel took courage, and proceeded again to set the battle in array in the same place where they had drawn up the first day.
BrentonAnd the men of Israel strengthened themselves, and again engaged in battle in the place where they had engaged on the first day.
GreekΚαὶ ἐνίσχυσαν ἀνῆρ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ προσέθηκαν συνάψαι παράταξιν ἐν τῷ τόπῳ ὅπου συνῆψαν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ πρώτῃ.
KJVAnd the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.
JPSAnd the people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves, and set the battle again in array in the place where they set themselves in array the first day.
23
ThomsonThe sons of Israel had indeed gone up, and wept before the Lord till evening, and inquired of the Lord saying, Shall we again proceed to draw near to battle against the children of Benjamin our brethren? And the Lord said, Go up against them.
BrentonAnd the children of Israel went up, and wept before the Lord till evening, and enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall we again draw nigh to battle with our brethren the children of Benjamin? and the Lord said, Go up against them.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἔκλαυσαν ἐνώπιον Κυρίου ἕως ἑσπέρας, καὶ ἠρώτησαν ἐν Κυρίῳ, λέγοντες, εἰ προσθῶμεν ἐγγίσαι εἰς παράταξιν πρὸς υἱοὺς Βενιαμὶν ἀδελφοὺς ἡμῶν; καὶ εἶπε Κύριος, ἀνάβητε πρὸς αὐτούς.
KJV(And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)
JPSAnd the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even; and they asked of the LORD, saying: ‘Shall I again draw nigh to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother?’ And the LORD said: ‘Go up against him.’
24
ThomsonSo the children of Israel advanced against the children of Benjamin the second day.
BrentonAnd the children of Israel advanced against the children of Benjamin on the second day.
GreekΚαὶ προσῆλθον οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ πρὸς υἱοὺς Βενιαμὶν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ δευτέρᾳ.
KJVAnd the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.
JPSAnd the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day.
25
ThomsonAnd the children of Benjamin came out from Gabaa to meet them on the second day, and destroyed of Israel again on the field of battle, eighteen thousand men. All these were men who drew the sword.
BrentonAnd the children of Benjamin went forth to meet them from Gabaa on the second day, and destroyed of the children of Israel yet further eighteen thousand men down to the ground: all these drew sword.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθον οἱ υἱοὶ Βενιαμὶν εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτοὶς ἀπὸ τῆς Γαβαὰ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ δευτέρᾳ, καὶ διέφθειραν ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ ἔτι ὀκτωκαίδεκα χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν· πάντες οὗτοι ἕλκοντες ῥομφαίαν.
KJVAnd Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.
JPSAnd Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.
26
ThomsonUpon this all the children of Israel, even the whole people went up and came to Baithel, and wept, and sat there before the Lord, and fasted the whole day till evening, and offered whole burnt offerings and sacrifices before the Lord.
BrentonAnd the children of Israel and all the people went up, and came to Bæthel; and they wept, and sat there before the Lord; and they fasted on that day until evening, and offered whole-burnt-offerings and perfect sacrifices, before the Lord,
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβησαν πάντες οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς, καὶ ἦλθον εἰς Βαιθήλ· καὶ ἔκλαυσαν, καὶ ἐκάθισαν ἐκεῖ ἐνώπιον Κυρίου· καὶ ἐνήστευσαν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἕως ἑσπέρας, καὶ ἀνήνεγκαν ὁλοκαυτώσεις καὶ τελείας ἐνώπιον Κυρίου,
KJVThen all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
JPSThen all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto Beth-el, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even; and they offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before the LORD.
27
ThomsonFor in those days the ark of the covenant of the Lord their God was there,
Brentonfor the ark of the Lord God was there in those days,
Greekὅτι ἐκεῖ κιβωτὸς διαθήκης Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις,
KJVAnd the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
JPSAnd the children of Israel asked of the LORD—for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
28
Thomsonand Phineas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, stood before it in those days. And the children of Israel inquired of the Lord saying, Shall we proceed again to go out to battle against the children of Benjamin our brethren? And the Lord said, Go up. To-morrow I will deliver them into your hands.
Brentonand Phinees the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron stood before it in those days; and the children of Israel enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall we yet again go forth to fight with our brethren the sons of Benjamin? and the Lord said, Go up, to-morrow I will give them into your hands.
Greekκαὶ Φινεὲς υἱὸς Ἐλεάζαρ υἱοῦ Ἀαρὼν παρεστηκὼς ἐνώπιον αὐτῆς ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις· καὶ ἐπηρώτησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἐν Κυρίῳ, λέγοντες, εἰ προσθῶμεν ἔτι ἐξελθεῖν εἰς παράταξιν πρὸς υἱοὺς Βενιαμὶν ἀδελφοὺς ἡμῶν; καὶ εἶπε Κύριος, ἀνάβητε, αὔριον δώσω αὐτοὺς εἰς χεῖρας ὑμῶν.
KJVAnd Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.
JPSand Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days—saying: ‘Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease?’ And the LORD said: ‘Go up; for to-morrow I will deliver him into thy hand.’
29
ThomsonThen the children of Israel set men in ambush all around Gabaa.
BrentonAnd the children of Israel set an ambush against Gabaa round about it.
GreekΚαὶ ἔθηκαν οἱ υἱοῖ Ἰσραὴλ ἔνεδρα τῇ Γαβαὰ κύκλῳ.
KJVAnd Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah.
JPSAnd Israel set liers-in-wait against Gibeah round about.
30
ThomsonAnd the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin, the third day, and drew up in array before Gabaa as they had done once and again.
BrentonAnd the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and arrayed themselves against Gabaa as before.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ πρὸς υἱοὺς Βενιαμὶν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ, καὶ συνῆψαν πρὸς τὴν Γαβαὰ ὡς ἅπαξ καὶ ἅπαξ.
KJVAnd the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
JPSAnd the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and set themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
31
ThomsonAnd the children of Benjamin sallied out to meet the people, and were drawn clean out of the city, and began to smite some of the people dead, as in the first and second engagement in the high ways, which lead up, one to Baithel, and the other to Gabaa, through the fields, about thirty men of Israel.
BrentonAnd the children of Benjamin went out to meet the people, and were all drawn out of the city, and began to smite and slay the people as before in the roads, whereof one goes up to Bæthel, and one to Gabaa in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθον οἱ υἱοὶ Βενιαμὶν εἰς συνάντησιν τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ ἐξεκενώθησαν ἐκ τῆς πόλεως, καὶ ἤρξαντο πατάσσειν ἀπὸ τοῦ λαοῦ τραυματίας ὡς ἅπαξ καὶ ἅπαξ ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς, ἥ ἐστι μία ἀναβαίνουσα εἰς Βαιθὴλ, καὶ μία εἰς Γαβαὰ ἐν ἀγρῷ, ὡς τριάκοντα ἄνδρας ἐν Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite and kill of the people, as at other times, in the field, in the highways, of which one goeth up to Beth-el, and the other to Gibeah, about thirty men of Israel.
32
ThomsonAnd the children of Benjamin said, They fall before us, as heretofore. Now the sons of Israel had said, Let us flee, and draw them clean out of the city into the high ways.
BrentonAnd the children of Benjamin said, They fall before us as at the first: but the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them out from the city into the roads; and they did so.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ Βενιαμὶν, πίπτουσιν ἐνώπιον ἡμῶν ὡς τὸ πρῶτον. καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ εἶπαν, Φύγωμεν, καὶ ἐκκενώσωμεν αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς πόλεως εἰς τὰς ὁδούς· καὶ ἐποίησαν οὕτω.
KJVAnd the children of Benjamin said, They are smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.
JPSAnd the children of Benjamin said: ‘They are smitten down before us, as at the first.’ But the children of Israel said: ‘Let us flee, and draw them away from the city unto the highways.’
33
ThomsonAnd when they had done so, and every man arose from his place, then they drew up in array at Baal-thamar, and the ambush of Israel came up from their place, from Maraagabo,
BrentonAnd all the men rose up out of their places, and engaged in Baal Thamar; and the liers in wait of Israel advanced from their place from Maraagabe.
GreekΚαὶ πᾶς ἀνὴρ ἀνέστη ἐκ τοῦ τόπου αὐτῶν, καὶ συνῆψαν ἐν Βάαλ Θαμάρ· καὶ τὸ ἔνεδρον Ἰσραὴλ ἐπήρχετο ἐκ τοῦ τόπου αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ Μαρααγαβέ.
KJVAnd all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah.
JPSAnd all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and set themselves in array at Baal-tamar; and the liers-in-wait of Israel broke forth out of their place, even out of Maareh-geba.
34
Thomsonand there came over against Gabaa ten thousand men, chosen out of all Israel; and the battle was fierce, for they did not know that evil was coming upon them.
BrentonAnd there came over against Gabaa ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel; and the fight was severe; and they knew not that evil was coming upon them.
GreekΚαὶ ἦλθον ἐξεναντίας Γαβαὰ δέκα χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν ἐκλεκτῶν ἐκ παντὸς Ἰσραήλ· καὶ παράταξις βαρεῖα· καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν, ὅτι φθάνει ἀπʼ αὐτοὺς ἡ κακία.
KJVAnd there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.
JPSAnd there came over against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore; but they knew not that evil was close upon them.
35
ThomsonAnd the Lord smote [the tribe of] Benjamin before the children of Israel. And the children of Israel destroyed of Benjamin that day twenty-five thousand one hundred men. All these drew the sword.
BrentonAnd the Lord smote Benjamin before the children of Israel; and the children of Israel destroyed of Benjamin in that day a hundred and twenty-five thousand men: all these drew sword.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπάταξε Κύριος τὸν Βενιαμὶν ἐνώπιον υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ· καὶ διέφθειραν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ τοῦ Βενιαμὶν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ εἴκοσι καὶ πέντε χιλιάδας καὶ ἑκατὸν ἄνδρας· πάντες οὗτοι εἷλκον ῥομφαίαν.
KJVAnd the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword.
JPSAnd the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel; and the children of Israel destroyed of Benjamin that day twenty and five thousand and a hundred men; all these drew the sword.
36
ThomsonWhen the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten—now the Israelites had given way to Benjamin because they trusted to the ambush which they had laid for Gabaa;
BrentonAnd the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten; and the men of Israel gave place to Benjamin, because they trusted in the ambuscade which they had prepared against Gabaa.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδον οἱ υἱοὶ Βενιαμὶν ὅτι ἐπλήγησαν· καὶ ἔδωκεν ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ τῷ Βενιαμὶν τόπον, ὅτι ἤλπισαν πρὸς τὸ ἔνεδρον ὃ ἔθηκαν ἐπὶ τῇ Γαβαᾷ.
KJVSo the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.
JPSSo the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten. And the men of Israel gave place to Benjamin, because they trusted unto the liers-in-wait whom they had set against Gibeah.—
37
Thomsonbut when they retreated, the ambush was put in motion, and rushed forward against Gabaa, and poured into it, and smote the city with the edge of the sword.
BrentonAnd when they retreated, then the liers in wait rose up, and they moved on toward Gabaa, and the whole ambush came forth, and they smote the city with the edge of the sword.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῷ αὐτοὺς ὑποχωρῆσαι, καὶ τὸ ἔνεδρον ἐκινήθη· καὶ ἐξέτειναν ἐπὶ τὴν Γαβαὰ, καὶ ἐξεχύθη τὸ ἔνεδρον, καὶ ἐπάταξαν τὴν πόλιν ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd the liers-in-wait hastened, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the liers-in-wait drew forth, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.
38
ThomsonThe children of Israel indeed had settled a signal of battle with the ambush, and that they should raise a counter signal of smoke from the city.
BrentonAnd the children of Israel had a signal of battle with the liers in wait, that they should send up a signal of smoke from the city.
GreekΚαὶ σημεῖον ἦν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ μετὰ τοῦ ἐνέδρου τῆς μάχης ἀνενέγκαι αὐτοὺς σύσσημον καπνοῦ ἀπὸ τῆς πόλεως.
KJVNow 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.
JPSNow there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers-in-wait, that they should make a great beacon of smoke rise up out of the city.—
39
ThomsonSo when the sons of Israel saw that the men in ambush had taken Gabaa, they halted, in order of battle. Now Benjamin had begun to smite dead of the men of Israel about thirty men, for they said, They fall again before us, as in the former engagement.
BrentonAnd the children of Israel saw that the liers in wait had seized Gabaa, and they stood in line of battle; and Benjamin began to smite down wounded ones among the men of Israel about thirty men; for they said, Surely they fall again before us, as in the first battle.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδον οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, ὅτι προκατελάβετο τὸ ἔνεδρον τὴν Γαβαὰ, καὶ ἔστησαν ἐν τῇ παρατάξει· καὶ Βενιαμὶν ἤρξατο πατάσσειν τραυματίας ἐν ἀνδράσιν Ἰσραὴλ ὡς τριάκοντα ἄνδρας· ὅτι εἶπαν, πάλιν πτώσει πίπτουσιν ἐνώπιον ἡμῶν ὡς ἡ παράταξις ἡ πρώτη.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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.’
40
ThomsonBut when the counter sign ascended over the city, higher and higher, like a pillar of smoke, Benjamin looked back, and behold, the destruction of the city ascended up to heaven.
BrentonAnd the signal went up increasingly over the city as a pillar of smoke; and Benjamin looked behind him, and behold the destruction of the city went up to heaven.
GreekΚαὶ τὸ σύσσημον ἀνέβη ἐπὶ πλεῖον ἐπὶ τῆς πόλεως ὡς στύλος καπνοῦ· καὶ ἐπέβλεψε Βενιαμὶν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνέβη ἡ συντέλεια τῆς πόλεως ἕως οὐρανοῦ.
KJVBut when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the flame of the city ascended up to heaven.
JPSBut when the beacon 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.
41
ThomsonSo when Israel faced about, the men of Benjamin were struck with consternation, for they saw that evil was coming upon them,
BrentonAnd the men of Israel turned back, and the men of Benjamin hasted, because they saw that evil had come upon them.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ ἐπέστρεψε· καὶ ἔσπευσαν ἄνδρες Βενιαμὶν, ὅτι εἶδον ὅτι συνήντησεν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς ἡ πονηρία.
KJVAnd when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them.
JPSAnd the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were amazed; for they saw that evil was come upon them.
42
Thomsonand they looked about before the children of Israel, towards the way of the wilderness, and fled. But the battle overtook them.
BrentonAnd they turned to the way of the wilderness from before the children of Israel, and fled: but the battle overtook them, and they from the cities destroyed them in the midst of them.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέβλεψαν ἐνώπιον υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὴς ὁδὸν τῆς ἐρήμου, καὶ ἔφυγον· καὶ ἡ παράταξις ἔφθασεν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, καὶ οἱ ἀπὸ τῶν πόλεων διέφθειρον αὐτοὺς ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν.
KJVTherefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
JPSTherefore 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 city destroyed them in the midst of the men of Israel.
43
ThomsonAnd they surrounded and destroyed them who came from the cities. They cut down Benjamin and pursued them closely from Nua to over against Gabaa, towards the rising of the sun,
BrentonAnd they cut down Benjamin, and pursued him from Nua closely till they came opposite Gabaa on the east.
GreekΚαὶ κατέκοπτον τὸν Βενιαμὶν, καὶ ἐδίωξαν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ Νουὰ κατὰ πόδα αὐτοῦ ἕως ἀπέναντι Γαβαὰ πρὸς ἀνατολὰς ἡλίου.
KJV—
JPS—
44
Thomsonand there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men. All these were men of valour.
BrentonAnd there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men: all these were men of might.
GreekΚαὶ ἔπεσον ἀπὸ Βενιαμὶν ὀκτωκαίδεκα χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν· οἱ πάντες οὗτοι ἄνδρες δυνάμεως.
KJVAnd there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour.
JPSAnd there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valour.
45
ThomsonNow the rest of them had looked about, and fled towards the wilderness to the rock of Remmon; but of them the children of Israel gleaned up five thousand men. And the children of Israel went down after them to Gedan, and smote of them two thousand men.
BrentonAnd the rest turned, and fled to the wilderness to the rock of Remmon; and the children of Israel picked off of them five thousand men; and the children of Israel went down after them as far as Gedan, and they smote of them two thousand men.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέβλεψαν οἱ λοιποὶ, καὶ ἔφευγον εἰς τὴν ἔρημον πρὸς τὴν πέτραν τοῦ Ῥέμμών· καὶ ἐκαλαμήσαντο ἐξ αὐτῶν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ πεντακισχιλίους ἄνδρας· καὶ κατέβησαν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἕως Γεδᾶν, καὶ ἐπάταξαν ἐξ αὐτῶν δισχιλίους ἄνδρας.
KJVAnd they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them.
JPSAnd they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon; and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and followed hard after them unto Gidom, and smote of them two thousand men.
46
ThomsonSo that all who fell of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand men who that day drew the sword. All these were men of valour.
BrentonAnd all that fell of Benjamin were twenty-five thousand men that drew sword in that day: all these were men of might.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένοντο πάντες οἱ πεπτωκότες ἀπὸ Βενιαμὶν, εἰκοσιπέντε χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν ἑλκόντων ῥομφαίαν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ· οἱ πάντες οὗτοι ἄνδρες δυνάμεως.
KJVSo that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour.
JPSSo that all who fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour.
47
ThomsonAnd the remainder, being six hundred men, turned and fled to the wilderness, to the rock of Remmon, and abode at Rock Remmon four months.
BrentonAnd the rest turned, and fled to the wilderness to the rock of Remmon, even six hundred men; and they sojourned four months in the rock of Remmon.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέβλεψαν οἱ λοιποὶ, καὶ ἔφυγον εἰς τὴν ἔρημον πρὸς τὴν πέτραν τοῦ Ῥεμμὼν ἑξακόσιοι ἄνδρες, καὶ ἐκάθισαν ἐν πέτρᾳ Ῥεμμὼν τέσσαρας μῆνας.
KJVBut six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
JPSBut six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon, and abode in the rock of Rimmon four months.
48
ThomsonAnd the children of Israel turned back upon the Benjaminites, and smote them with the edge of the sword, beginning at the city Methla, including cattle and every thing throughout all the cities. And the cities which they came to, they burned with fire.
BrentonAnd the children of Israel returned to the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword from the city of Methla, even to the cattle, and every thing that was found in all the cities: and they burnt with fire the cities they found.
GreekΚαὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἐπέστρεψαν πρὸς υἱοὺς Βενιαμὶν, καὶ ἐπάταξαν αὐτοὺς ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας ἀπὸ πόλεως Μεθλὰ καὶ ἕως κτήνους, καὶ ἕως παντὸς τοῦ εὑρισκομένου εἰς πάσας τὰς πόλεις· καὶ τὰς πόλεις τὰς εὑρεθείσας ἐνέπρησαν ἐν πυρί.
KJVAnd the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to.
JPSAnd the men of Israel turned back upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, both the entire city, and the cattle, and all that they found; moreover all the cities which they found they set on fire.