Judges 20:33 NIV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 20:33

(33) Put themselves in array at Baal-tamar.—This is either a detail added out of place (so that we might almost suppose that there has been some accidental transposition of clauses), or it means that when the Israelites in their pretended rout had got as far as Baal-tamar (“Lord of the Palm”) they saw the appointed smoke-signal of the ambuscade, and at that point rallied against their pursuers. What makes this probable is that Baal-tamar can only have derived its name from some famous, and... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 20:1-48

Judges 20:48 'Humanity, or mercy, is certainly not the strong point of Achaian Greeks. With them not only no sacredness, but little value, attached to human life; and the loss of it stirs no sympathy unless it be associated with beauty, valour, patriotism, or other esteemed characteristics. Yet here, again, the forms of evil are less extreme. We do not find, even in the stern, relentless vengeance of Odysseus on his enemies, or in the passionate wish of Achilles that nature would permit what it... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Judges 20:1-48

; Judges 20:1-48; Judges 21:1-25FROM JUSTICE TO WILD REVENGEJudges 19:1-30; Judges 20:1-48; Judges 21:1-25THESE last chapters describe a general and vehement outburst of moral indignation throughout Israel, recorded for various reasons. A vile thing is done in one of the towns of Benjamin and the fact is published in all the tribes. The doers of it are defended by their clan and fearful punishment is wrought upon them, not without suffering to the entire people. Like the incidents narrated in... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Judges 20:1-48

CHAPTER 20 The Horrible War 1. The Levite’s story (Judges 20:1-7 ) 2. The uprising (Judges 20:8-11 ) 3. The slaying of the Israelites (Judges 20:12-25 ) 4. Benjamin exterminated except six hundred men (Judges 20:26-48 ) This and the concluding chapter bring before us the awful harvest of what had been sown. “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 ). They had sown the wind and now reaped the whirlwind. Violence and lawlessness result in the slaying of... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Judges 20:1-48

APPENDIX TO THE BOOK The chapters concluding the book detail certain incidents at various periods during the preceding history, when the whole nation was disordered and corrupt, and “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” A MAN-MADE PRIEST (Judges 17:0 ) Chapter 17 tells of Micah who established his own imitation of the tabernacle. Of course it was contrary to the law and evinced ignorance and superstition, although the motive may not have been bad. ORIGIN OF THE CITY OF... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Judges 20:1-48

Judges 20:0 1. Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation [the whole community of Israel] was gathered together as one man [a phrase which disappears after the days of Solomon], from Dan even to Beersheba [from one extremity to another, a proverbial expression for all Israel], with the land of Gilead [the transjordanic tribes], unto the Lord in Mizpeh [not the one mentioned in Jdg 11:11 ]. 2. And the chief [literally, the corner-stones] of all the people, even of all the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Judges 20:26-46

Here we see that through the whole the victory was not doubtful. The Lord hereby taught Israel, who perhaps vaunted more upon the strength of their numbers, compared to Benjamin and Gibeah, than simply leaned upon the arm of Jehovah, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. And are not God's people taught the same now, when at any time tempted to trust an arm of flesh? read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Judges 20:33

Baalthamar, the plain of Jericho; (Chaldean) or rather a village in the vicinity of Gabaa, which Eusebius calls Besthamar. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Judges 20:29-48

The Benjamites Defeated and Almost Exterminated v. 29. And Israel set liers-in-wait round about Gibeah; they no longer relied upon superior force, but made use of strategic arts in placing various details of soldiers in ambush. v. 30. And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, moving forward to attack the city, and put themselves in array against Gibeah as at other times. v. 31. And the children of Benjamin, in total ignorance of the ambush in... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Judges 20:29-48

The men of Israel recommence hostilities. By feigned flight they draw the Benjamites away from Gibeah, which thereupon falls into their hands and is destroyed, together with nearly the whole tribe.Judges 20:29-48.29And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah. 30And the children [sons] of Israel went up against the children [sons] of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times. 31And the children [sons] of Benjamin went out against the people, and... read more